Sound & Color
by Alabama Shakes
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: Apr 21, 2015
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 128 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 128
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 128
  3. Negative: 8 out of 128
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  1. jrodfilms
    Apr 23, 2015
    7
    it might not grab you on the first listen, but the lead single 'dont wanna fight' will stay in your head for days. on repeated listens you will find a progressive psychedelic sound mixed in with southern rock.
  2. franklin969
    Apr 21, 2015
    9
    Wow! For a group that had such a good debut they sure found a lot of ways to improve themselves! This whole album feels much cleaner sounding and polished than the last. The lead singer has one of the best voices in the industry today. It's rich with soul and emotion. The instrumentation is lush and packing with emotion. You can tell they really tried hard with this album and it certainlyWow! For a group that had such a good debut they sure found a lot of ways to improve themselves! This whole album feels much cleaner sounding and polished than the last. The lead singer has one of the best voices in the industry today. It's rich with soul and emotion. The instrumentation is lush and packing with emotion. You can tell they really tried hard with this album and it certainly paid off. Congratulations Alabama Shakes you've made an excellent record and I certainly hope many more are to come!… Expand
  3. Custom_Concerns
    May 11, 2015
    8
    Sound & Color is a dramatic improvement on all fronts for the Alabama Shakes, honing their southern rock/soul style to near perfection. The singles will stick in your head for days, and the remaining tracks provide an excellent backdrop of psychedelic, passionate, intense, and beautiful sounds. Not a record I anticipated from this band, but an extremely welcome one. Sound & Color is trulySound & Color is a dramatic improvement on all fronts for the Alabama Shakes, honing their southern rock/soul style to near perfection. The singles will stick in your head for days, and the remaining tracks provide an excellent backdrop of psychedelic, passionate, intense, and beautiful sounds. Not a record I anticipated from this band, but an extremely welcome one. Sound & Color is truly fantastic.… Expand
  4. znk
    Apr 22, 2015
    10
    AMAZING. Everything just works on this album, it's beautifully streamlined yet not too streamlined that it loses the edgy rawness that you look for from a blues/rock band. Brittany's vocals are enough to brag about for days, a voice like honey yet can turn on her signature growl and heaviness when needed. Sound & Color has secured a position in top 10 albums of 2015 without a doubt!
  5. pjblackdiamond
    Apr 26, 2015
    10
    When I first heard Hold On, I was convinced I was hearing the beginning of a band that was going to break the mold and be superstars. Then I heard the rest of their debut album. I totally wrote them off. Boy was I wrong. Sound and Color is the album Hold On should have had backing it up.
  6. TomFisher
    May 8, 2015
    9
    This album is so likable. Performances are great, singing is excellent, songs are catchy. Sound & Color is such an improvement from Boys & Girls. I'm having trouble finding any faults with this album, one of the best of this year so far.
  7. ns156
    Nov 30, 2015
    9
    From the same neighborhood as The Black Keys' Brothers, it's a swampy, garage rock, soul-infused romp, but with Howard's megawatt vocals leading the way. It's not perfect, but it's close.
  8. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    8
    8.0
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  9. dgdiver
    Sep 25, 2022
    8
    I usually don't listen to rock/indie, but I got this album as a recommendation from a friend. I can absolutely say I wasn't disappointed. Great vocals throughout, interesting soundscape with original sounds and instruments. Overall great album, only downside I felt was a drop in creative qualities in the songs The Greatest, Shoegaze, Miss You. They felt a bit less interesting then theI usually don't listen to rock/indie, but I got this album as a recommendation from a friend. I can absolutely say I wasn't disappointed. Great vocals throughout, interesting soundscape with original sounds and instruments. Overall great album, only downside I felt was a drop in creative qualities in the songs The Greatest, Shoegaze, Miss You. They felt a bit less interesting then the rest, but that's just on first listen so my opinion might change after relistening a few times.… Expand
  10. djyannoushka
    Apr 22, 2023
    8
    this album has followed me for years since it came out, i love it dearly. the music just takes its time to build up and engulf you, and of course Brittany Howard has such a beautiful & powerful voice with so much emotion it's hard not to feel it in your entire body. honestly all the songs follow each other with harmony and they're all lovable !

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 2, 2015
    89
    Sophomore triumph Sound & Color aims higher.
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  2. Paste Magazine
    Apr 28, 2015
    84
    Ultimately, Sound & Color is a ballsy sophomore LP that shocks, surprises and usually satiates.
    Read full review
  3. Record Collector
    Apr 24, 2015
    80
    Howard’s voice is at its best when doing that kind of Arethra/Irma Thomas-ish stuff, and where the band uses simple dynamics, rather than density, to showcase the song.
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