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Time: 04-12-2012 18:12 User: bdgray PubDate: 04-13-2012 Zone: KY Edition: 1 Page Name: D7 Color: CyanMagentaYellowBlack KY VELOCITY | courier-journal.com/features THE COURIER-JOURNAL | FRIDAY,APRIL 13,2012 | D7 music WHATROCKS, WHATDOESN’T Want more reviews? Get them at www.courier-journal.com/music Alabama Shakes, ‘Boys &Girls’ Monica, ‘New Life’ Seluah, ‘Red Parole’ The Alabama Shakes’ first album, “Boys &Girls,” is an After the success of 2010’s “Still Standing,” Monica re- Seluah’ssound is among the most distinctive in the recent history electric jolt that anyone who loves blues-based rock turns with asoulful yet less-than-impressive collection of of Louisville music, one where the low thrum of the bottom end music should track down immediately. Consisting of R&B. First single “It All Belongs to Me” has deservedly at- slides into warmly aggressive guitars, which then point toward three men and one young explosion named Brittany tracted the most attention as possibly the most talked about Edward Grimes’ ethereal voice, floating above it all as if sampled at a Howard on vocals and guitar,the group, which formed in musical reunion of the year.Itfeatures Monica and Brandy seance. It’smusic as altered state. northern Alabama in 2009, offers stripped-down truth, with another powerful duet, 14 years since their 1998 classic “Red Parole” is the unlikely follow-up to the band’sdebut, “Se- minus any affectation, histrionics or irony. “The Boy Is Mine,” and this one is an anthem for the ladies, luah.” It’sunlikely because it comes adecade later and follows a Rather,the Shakes make rock and soul music as if the all about giving the boot to ano-good man. six-year hiatus for the band (see today’scover story for acloser look), last 40 years of popular sounds had never happened; you But there aren’talot of songs as electric as that one. but in most respects you’d never guess. The band feels the same, won’thear asingle hip-hop rhythm, disco beat, tripped- “Daddy’sGood Girl” has astrong beat but lyrically seems out even if it comes at songs from slightly different angles, and the out guitar effect or dubstep bass drop on “Boys &Girls.” of place. “Big Mistake” is emotional and full of passion, but cultists who spent the lean years championing “Seluah” as aclassic Songs instead suggest that sweet period from 1966 to while it briefly grabs the listener’sattention, it doesn’thold will find much to love. 1974 when electric blues and rock music were intermin- it. The same can be said for “Take aChance,” featuring Wale The band’sinitial inspiration was trip-hop and dub trance bands gling: the Rolling Stones circa “Let It Bleed,” Janis Joplin — expectations are high, but alittle more oomph is needed. from England and the influence remains, but with Seluah 2012 the at her 1968 peak and Otis Redding and the classic Stax Showing offher vocal range on “Without You,” Monica atmospherics once largely provided by keyboards are now handled Records house band on “Heartbreaker.” Youcan even reminds us why she’sstill relevant, and she takes it further by guitars. Case in point is the astounding “Black Sand,” in which a hear ahint of Bob Marley-esque roots reggae guitar on on the sad and sophisticated “Until It’sGone.” The raw pain surf guitar drowned in molasses underscores Grimes’ repressed the opening song, “Rise to the Sun.” in her voice hits home to give you goosebumps all over. anguish — “Standing under the moon/Oh God, I’m ahand grenade” To mention the group alongside such luminaries is Vocally, Monica has never disappointed: Her voice is power- — before exploding into asingle phrase repeated loudly, insistently, dangerous, but one listen to the seminal riff on “Hang ful and pure. But the album sounds uneven and under- even as Grimes’ vocal remains measured and desolate. Loose” should silence any doubters: You’ll wonder how whelming, perhaps because of the large number of pro- Twoolder songs, “Disengage” and “The Winch,” clearly show the world has never produced this eternal lick until now. ducers, including past collaborators Jermaine Dupri, Bryan- that Seluah has always used simplicity as one of its most effective Or,actually, Howard’shuge gospel-inspired voice will Michael Cox and Missy Elliott, along with new blood like tools; the band creates amood and lets it breathe, avoiding needless shut you up whether you like it or not. The same could Salaam Remi and Rico Love. clutter.Even when Rachel’salum Christian Frederickson adds viola, be said for halfadozen other riffs, choruses and joyous With all that talent behind Monica, it’ssurprising this the effect is subtle yet absolutely necessary, and that combination of refrains on “Boys &Girls,” arecord that grows with each album has such ashortage of standout hits. understatement and utter confidence may be Seluah’sgreatest listen. — Bianca Roach, Associated Press strength. — Randall Roberts, Los Angeles Times ee — Jeffrey Lee Puckett, The Courier-Journal eee eee calendar WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR AREA the five Christy Lemire | Associated Press It’sbeenstuck in my headfor weeks likeapsy- McIntosh, Kelly Casey. $10.(812) CONCERTS 752-8877. chotic episode: “My Heart Will Go On,” Celine Shepherdsville County Music Dion’sbig, bombastic ballad from “Titanic.” Now Show. Ky. 44, Shepherdsville, that James Cameron has finally released the 3-D Bluegrass 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Christy Miller, Eric Simmons, Wayne Wardle, Ray redo of his 1997 shipwreck epic —the winner of 11 Doyle Lawson &Quicksilver Glenn, Pat Portman &the 44 Academy Awards, including best original song — Shepherdsville Music Barn, 1833 Country Band. $8, $7 seniors. Ky. 44 West, Shepherdsville, 8 (502) 807-9604. it still won’tgoaway.Itgoes on …and on … p.m. today. $15.(502) 552-9771. But we’re all about turning anegative into a Jazz positive around here, so we’re using this as an Blues University of Louisville Jazz opportunity to talk about five The Alabama Blues Brothers Combos. Bird Recital Hall, UofL other great winners of the Tribute. Derby Dinner Playhouse, School of Music, First Street and best original song Oscar. 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Brandeis Avenue, 7:30 p.m. Monday. Buffet, 6p.m.; show, Monday. Free. These are sure to keep 7:15 p.m. $35. (812)288-8281. you humming along: Rock »“Over the Classical The Death Cab For Cutie Rainbow” from Academy of St. Martin in the Magik*Magik Orches- “The Wizardof Fields. Whitney Hall, Kentucky tra. Louisville Palace, Center,501 W. Main St., 7:30 p.m. 625 S. Fourth St., 8p.m. Oz” (1939): One Wednesday. $30-$85. (502) 584- today. $35-$60. (800) of the greatest 7777 745-3000. songs ever from Kentucky Bach Choir. Church of Sugarland, Canaan the Holy Spirit, 3345 Lexington Smith, Lauren Alaina. one of the great- Road, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Works KFC Yum! Center,1 est movies ever. by Bach. Tickets available at the Arena Plaza, 7:30 p.m. Afavorite from door.$20, $15 seniors, $10 stu- Saturday. $38.50-$69.50. dents with valid ID. (800) 745-3000. childhood that’s Carpe Diem and Euclid Quar- just as moving for tets. Comstock Concert Hall, University of Louisville School of Various grown-ups, it’sfull Music, First Street and Brandeis Handbell Musicians of of girlish innocence Avenue, 3p.m. Sunday. Part of America. Kentucky Interna- and melancholy long- the Chamber Music Society of tional Convention Center,221 S. Louisville series. $25, $5 for Fourth St., 5p.m. Saturday. More ing. Written by Harold students with valid ID. (502) than 50 handbell ensembles and Arlen and E.Y.Harburg, it’s 852-6907. 500 musicians. Pre-concert by been covered endlessly by sing- University of Louisville Wind Masterpiece Brass Quintet at 5:15 “Over the Symphony &Symphonic Band. p.m. Free. (502) 595-4381. Rainbow” will ers ranging from Frank Sinatra Comstock Concert Hall, UofL Indiana University Southeast to Kylie Minogue. Katharine School of Music, First Street and always belong Concert Band. Stem Concert Hall, McPhee made it one of her sig- Brandeis Avenue, 7:30 p.m. Ogle Cultural and Community to “Oz” star Sunday. Free. Country legend Willie Nelson plays the Horseshoe Casino Center,IUS, 4201Grant Line Road, Judy Garland. nature tunes on “American University of Louisville Concert &Hotel on Saturday night. AP New Albany, 3p.m. Sunday. $8, Idol.” But of course it will al- and Community Band . Com- $5 for students, seniors, IUS stock Concert Hall, UofLSchool faculty and staff. (812)941-2525. ways belong to Judy Garland. of Music, First Street and Brandeis Brandeis Avenue, 7p.m. Thursday. Band. $10,$6for ages 6-12.(270) Free. 422-3122. Indiana University Southeast She performs it early in the film when she’sstill a Avenue, 8p.m. Monday. Free. Concert Choir and Community University of Louisville Double Jefferson Hill Farm and Jambo- naive farm girl, before all the tornadic activity ree. 10704 Jefferson Hill Road, 7 Chorus. Stem Concert Hall, Ogle Bass Studio. Comstock Concert Country Cultural and Community Center, and house-dropping that inspire her journey down Hall, UofLSchool of Music, First p.m. Saturday. Jackson Scott, Todd Trace Adkins. Louisville Palace, Nally, Country Creek Band. $7, $6 IUS, 4201Grant Line Road, New the yellow brick road. Street and Brandeis Avenue, 8:30 Albany, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $8, $5 p.m. Tuesday. Free. 625 S. Fourth St., 8p.m. Wednes- seniors. (502) 375-1539. »“When YouWish Upon aStar” from “Pi- day. $39.50-$75. (800) 745-3000. River City Music Hall. 29017th for students, seniors and IUS University of Louisville Viola faculty and staff.