Today is the day I’ll immortalize Always Alright ... this seminal, awesome piece of music by Alabama Shakes. Why? Because it has stood the test of time.

Many months back we watched the movie Silver Linings Playbookin our home cinema, a good movie altogether ... but when the credits started rolling, a song came on - playing as a backdrop to the credits - that made me prick my ears (click play below, to get the feel for what I’m talking about). 20 seconds into the song, and just a few seconds after the drums kicked in, we were grooving to the beat … and we haven’t stopped to this day. Furthermore - would you believe it - the song stems from a live recording in Sydney’s Metro! What a blast.

Now, I don’t take my music lightly. I’m not easily enthused about popular music. However, here is a song - and an execution - that holds its own in any comparison … yes, I believe the song is as good as anything I have heard since the Stones recorded Exile on Main Street, or for that matter since Hendrix did his Vodoo thing.

Nothing less. So well played. Simple. Explosive. Precise. Engrossing ... the rhythm, the beat, the drive. Genius. I like the restrained lead guitar, the laid-back bass, the sparse rhythm guitar, and, o boy, is that an old Hammond organ? ... he really knows how to put it to good effect. The drums, perfect timing, disciplined, yet dramatic when required ... all of it perfect backing for thevolatile, utterly un-restrained vocals.

This song is one in a million (donno 'bout the lyrics; but ...) the video clip is straight down my alley. Right in your face. My favourite music videos are live recordings ... make no mistake, contemporary rock 'n roll doesn't come much better than this.