There’s something in the air on the banks of the Tennessee River and in the town of Muscle Shoals. Most of the greats have been there.
FAME Studios witnessed the birth of Aretha Franklin as the Queen of Soul. There were also Arthur Conley, Wilson Pickett, and Etta James. A little more than two miles up the road is Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, which saw Cher, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bob Dylan all come through its doors—and it is still going strong today.
Earlier this year, DeWolff had the opportunity to record their tenth album at Muscle Shoals, using both studios—and in many ways, it was the perfect fit, given that they’d rather morphed into a more soul band over the last couple of records. Full disclosure: I didn’t like the last one. It was far too soulful for me. I wouldn’t ever claim to like soul music, and I never have.
When it comes to “Muscle Shoals”—the album, not the location—though, there’s much to commend it. When an album feels less like a product of its time and more like an echo of a bygone era, you know you’re in for something special. This collection of tracks isn’t just timeless; it’s unhurried, deeply rooted in soul, rock, and gospel traditions, and unapologetically organic in its construction. It resists the immediacy demanded by today’s Spotify culture, instead creeping up on you like a late-night jam that refuses to fade.
Take “In Love,” for instance. It opens with a crunching guitar riff, grounded in something imperceptible that feels like it flowed straight from the Muscle Shoals waters. The harmonies could have been plucked from any point in the last fifty years. It’s a blend of soul and rock that charms even if the genre isn’t your first love. Similarly, “Natural Woman” exudes warmth, with a magnificent organ leading the charge, and it’s impossible not to appreciate the rock-tinged soul that pours out.
The slower cuts are no less impactful. “Let’s Stay Together” is serene to the point of being horizontal—pure, effortless beauty. Meanwhile, the jazzy epic “Snowbird” feels destined to become a live-set staple, with the band inching closer to a full-on jam band ethos. “Ships in the Night” is so gentle, its tenderness simply washes over you, and “Cicada Serenade” closes things out with a loveliness that lingers long after the final notes fade.
That’s not to say the album lacks energy. “Out on the Town” swirls like it just woke up from Woodstock, its vibe carefree yet commanding. “Ophelia” strikes a perfect balance between raw power and melody, its mighty guitar solo a standout. And then there’s “Truce,” a track that feels like the Black Crowes jamming on “Burning Love,” complete with a sax solo that injects pure joy into the mix.
The band also knows how to evoke blues without wallowing in cliché. “Hard to Make a Buck” is a blues lament that avoids traditional tropes, while “Book of Life” marries gospel revivalism with a boogie groove that feels celebratory rather than indulgent.For all its immediate highlights, this album’s true strength lies in its ability to grow on you. Tracks like “Winner (When It Comes to Losing You)” and “Fools and Horses” may not grab you instantly, but their charms quietly worm their way in with each listen. This is a slow-burn record that rewards patience and repeated plays, a rarity in an era of disposable hooks.
This album doesn’t just sound timeless; it refuses to bow to the frantic pace of the modern music world. It’s as if the band has captured the spirit of another era, offering a meditative escape into soulful, rootsy rock that feels as refreshing as it is enduring.
Whether you’re in the mood to sway, reflect, or simply let the music wash over you, this record offers something for everyone. When they went to Muscle Shoals to record “Muscle Shoals”, I’d wager this is exactly what they had in mind.
Rating: 8/10
REVIEW: DEWOLFF – MUSCLE SHOALS (2024)
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