Alabama Shakes "Boys & Girls"

Saw this exploding around the world charts and finally decided to give it a cursory sample listen just to see if it merited my further attention.  It didn't.  Thirty seconds of the first three or four songs was all I needed to pass on it.  Not fair, you say?  Hey, it's my money and I try not to spend it on things I'll regret later.  That's the main reason you won't read many negative reviews on my blog...I don't buy crap.  I have considered adding a post that mentions a few of the sampled records I've let go by.  Ah, hell, here are a few of the most recent; Keane, The Temper Trap, Smash Palace, The Cult.  At least I gave them a listen.  These I didn't bother; Norah Jones, Slash, Tenacious D, John Mayer.  But if you would like for me to offer an opinion, send me a copy and I'll do it...but you may not like what I have to say.

My neighbor, Frank S., inquired if I had heard AL Shakes and provided me with the CD.  I had fourteen other new records in queue in front of it, but I moved it to the top of the pile since he asked my thoughts, plus he gave it to me.  So here we go............I still don't like it.  Actually couldn't stand most of it.  Made it through ninety seconds or slightly more of each tune before skipping to next track, until I reached #9, which is the only keeper of the lot, and it nearly turned me off as it closed.



Looking for this song on video allowed me to learn that they have to better live than studio.  The recorded album is a retro-soul piece, sounding as if it was forty to fifty years old.  Not one of my favorite musical styles.  I don't get the hype that surrounds this band.  The singer is the only deserving one.  I saw comparisons to Janis Joplin, which I understand, but she's no Janis.  Frank said she reminds him of Amy Whinehouse (sic, intentional), so that's a strike for me. 

Tried to understand how this became a Top 10 album in the States.  Figured a media campaign or major label push that I missed.  Uh-uh.  Apparently, NPR got behind it and colleges followed.  For me, that's the most positive aspect of all this, that non-commercial outlets are still viable in the conglomerate-dominated marketplace. 

Don't let me rain on your flashback parade.  This obviously works for a lot of people here and in Europe.  I will say that the vocalist bears watching in the future.  Here's hoping she moves in a different direction one way or another.