ScreenshotAlabama ShakesThe last time Alabama Shakes the Athens Alabama powerhouse that transforms the most basic chord progressions into soulful epiphanies better than any Southern outfit out there hit Studio 8H the world wouldn't stop talking about two things Brittany Howard's voice and Brittany Howard's mouth. With 2012's Boys and Girls came the warmly received debut of the Shakes and Hold On the breakout single that had Howard reining in a long note with the skill and might of a rock and roll rodeo cowgirl. Hold On easy to sing along with and easier to love was the tune folks remembered from their several festival appearances in the following year and also what they started with the first time they played Saturday Night Live in February 2013. Howard roared the studio fell all over themselves applauding her vocal prowess and assholes across the internet cracked jokes at her expense because yeah she opens wide when she's letting loose with some serious sound.
In 2015 it's gotten a bit better as the music continues to outshine the shallow jabs thrown Howard's way. Alabama Shakes amassed a voracious fan base and drummed up interest for Boys and Girls' much anticipated follow up Sound Color which will see its release April 21. Brittany and the boys gave SNL viewers a two part sneak preview starting with Don't Wanna Fight which is far moodier pensive and heartbroken (though just as rousing) than the songs we've come to expect from them. Howard rocked a pair of earrings fashioned out of a black and white rendition of Prince's face and it'd be safe to assume the Purple One would've approved of her furious licks and emotive guitar work.
With Gimme All Your Love Alabama Shakes offer up a broader range than a Crayola box of 64 crayons savoring every shade and nuance as they dipped from somber lows to devastatingly sincere cries for affection to driving soul breakdowns. A band who can make the SNL stage work for them as far as dynamics are concerned is one who knows how to adapt to an unforgiving performance environment one where they frequently don't have control over what the hell's coming out of their monitors or how their chords are hitting the audience tuning in. Alabama Shakes succeeded in making SNL acquiesce to their conditions for an exceptional performance and it just proves once again that the songs are far more interesting a conversation topic than the elasticity of Howard's lips.
That didn't stop a few people from commenting on it though but it's heartwarming to see that the reception Alabama Shakes received on Twitter was overwhelming positive. (And they were trending for a bit last night too )
On the next page Twitter reacts to Alabama Shakes' SNL performance
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