Alabama Shakes

Since its boom in the mid-2000s, the realm of indie music has expanded significantly, to the benefit of Foster The Peoples everywhere. While the market can get crowded—there are so many bands at a similar level that it’s hard for any of them to get prominently noticed—virtually any type of solid, interesting music will get picked up by a small label and gain a cult audience. R&B throwback group Alabama Shakes may never reach that Adele plateau of mainstream success, but the band will also never starve. A debut-full length on ATO Records is set for an April release, and it has already caused quite a stir. The record’s lead single, “Hold On,” justifies the hype, if for no other reason than serving as a showcase for Brittany Howard’s distinctive, howling vocals.

Updated 03/13/2012