The Alabama Shakes just released their much anticipated sophomore album, Sound & Color, that I've been digesting since it's release on Tuesday. There were some articles that hinted that this album would be a departure from their sound on the first album which in turn could alienate some of their fans (**TANGENT ALERT** which is such a silly thing for writers/critics to harp on and question the band about (also seeing this with Mumford & Sons right now). Just let the band explore and grow musically. Whether it's successful or not, they don't have an obligation to make the same record over and over for decades because "that's what the fans want." Yes, maybe the mainstream fans are synonymous with making a lot of money, but maybe that's not the end all be all for some artists. Sorry, rant over), but I don't think this album is a huge departure from their first.

The new album sounds more adventurous, such as "The Greatest," a weird punk rock hootenanny. It's a bit more exploratory like the psychedelic "Gemini." The band clearly had a few more options and instruments to experiment with which can be seen by the additional members in their touring band. But overall, I think they found a pretty good vibe for an album and avoided the dreaded sophomore slump.

All that being said, I think the album loses steam at the half-way mark, and I find myself a little disinterested in the second half save for the upbeat "Shoegaze," which probably has my favorite line of the album, "Let's go make memories / precious and temporary." There aren't a lot of other great lyrical moments on this album, something I think Brittany Howard can mask a bit based on her superior vocals.

Nonetheless, the first half of the album has three really phenomenal songs, including my two favorites, "Don't Wanna Fight" and "Gimme All Your Love."

"Don't Wanna Fight" highlights every special aspect of this band that makes their sound unique. The Shakes most renowned and beloved track, "Hold On," is one of those rare songs that is identifiable within the first seconds by that simple and indelible DRUM BEAT of all things:

Although drummer Steve Johnson's beat on "Don't Wanna Fight" doesn't start the track nor is it quite as omnipresent, it's still a hell of a beat riding the bass drum.

The next ingredient is guitarist Heath Fogg. His riffs are simple, technical, and precise, and he gets such a clean bluesy sound out of his ax. My favorite riff he's got starts the jam "Hang Loose:"

The guitars that start "Future People" (my third favorite track on the new album) are another great example:

"Hang Loose," "Future People," and "Don't Wanna Fight" all start with the guitar, a testament to Fogg's ability to draw the listener in. The latter is a bit more subdued, the guitar revving, then slamming the strings as the drums come in.

Finally, we need a dash of soul which lead singer Brittany Howard provides by the barrelful. There are too many songs (i.e. pretty much every one) to pinpoint her vocal chops, but she's got a special voice that really catapults this band to give them one of those unique sounds.

Put all this together (apologies to bassist Zac Cockrell who has his moments, particularly with his earthquaking bass in "Future People") and you get:

As much as I love that track, I think the Shakes best song on this album is "Gimme All Your Love," a track that comes and goes through Howard's whimpers and screams and Fogg's aggressive Barr chords shifting to sexy tones and cycling back within seconds. An organ prays in the background as Howard begs to do as the track says. This song is lovely and loud throughout, changing pace and rhythm, showcasing the band's development and confidence. The breakdown at the 2:10 mark is subtle and genius as Fogg lulls you to sleep before Johnson's drums and Cockrell's bass bounces you back to a masterful crescendo at 2:55.

The interplay of rhythms and volumes, instruments and talents in this track epitomizes why music is so beautiful to me. I can write hundreds of words feebly attempting to describe these minutes of genius while my headphones sing sweet somethings in my ear, but nothing does justice like listening. Enjoy these tracks, this album, and the sounds and colors that it all provides.

Overall: 7/10