CNN Music: The Alabama ShakesThe Alabama Shakes are from a small town, and singer Brittany Howard wants to make sure you know it. "Athens, Alabama. I decided it's the best place on earth," she said. "I've been around the world and Athens is the best." Soundcheck: 'Portlandia' star and her Wild Flag band membersCarrie Brownstein has been plenty busy, between working on a book and her sketch comedy TV show with Fred Armisen, "Portlandia," but she's also back to touring and recording with Wild Flag. Wild Flag is a Frankenstein monster (in a good way), made up from parts of the Minders (Rebecca Cole), Helium (Mary Timony) and Sleater-Kinney (Brownstein and drummer Janet Weiss). On paper, the disparate sounds of these bands wouldn't seem ideal for melding, but on their debut album they emerge with a sound that manages to evoke their past projects while also remaining cohesive. They bring an energy to their live performances that evinces a hunger one might not expect from performers as accomplished as they already are. |
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