Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls

Assured full-length debut by precocious spawn of Muscle Shoals.

THERE IS MUCH to admire about Boys & Girls, the full-length debut by Alabama Shakes, not least its confidence. Just a few lines into the opening track, an anguished affirmation called 'Hold On', vocalist Brittany Howard tips a hat to "someone up above" who once helped her out of a jam with the admonishment "Come on, Brittany". It takes some nerve to address oneself in the third person 45 seconds into your first album: the chore of summoning it is probably made easier when you know you can sing like Brittany Howard can.