There is no doubt a variety of editorially rhythmic issues breakdown the musical flow of Muscle Shoals, but endure the touch and go structure and you'll find a wealth of rock 'n' roll history within.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Nov 4, 2020

It's fitting that the first track we hear in this celebratory but emotionally dappled documentary is Wilson Pickett's Land of 1000 Dances. The rich, elemental energy of the recording encapsulates what would become known as the Muscle Shoals sound.

| Feb 12, 2020

Even with its disappointments, Muscle Shoals can't help but make a hopeful sound.

| Aug 28, 2019

There is an over-reliance on commentary by platitude-spouting rock stars...but the film's great virtue is that it will introduce and remind viewers of the wonderfully varied trove of music that came out of these studios.

| Mar 13, 2019

It's the music here that shines brightest, and for fans of any of the artists involved, there's more than enough great content on show here to get feet tapping and hearts thumping.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 5, 2019

The movie doesn't mention the contemporary Christian or gospel albums recorded at his studio. But what's there is so uplifting it's still well worth your time.

| Sep 6, 2018

An occasionally doleful but otherwise lively trip, Muscle Shoals is yet another cinematic shout-out to those unsung heroes who came out of nowhere and made music that mattered.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 25, 2017

Hall's backstory, riddled with tragedy, gets the proper attention and respect here. But it's the music that won't let you stop watching.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 21, 2014

Camalier's tuneful if somewhat overlong anecdotal history does the most justice to the Muscle Shoals sound just by listening to it.

| Feb 4, 2014

Retrospective rockumentary deconstructs the secret of a legendary Alabama music studio's success.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jan 26, 2014

It is amazing to see how this style and sound came to fruition as it changed the careers of artists like Aretha Franklin and created some of the most memorable albums and songs from artists like Etta James, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and [more].

| Original Score: B+ | Dec 30, 2013

Camalier makes an excellent job of combining talking-head interviews with music, anecdotes and folklore.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 30, 2013

An extraordinary story of singers, songwriters, musicians, producers and, most of all, two recording studios in a small Southern city.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 27, 2013

A bit lengthy but packed with great music, this is a solid documentary that musicians and fans of soul music will likely enjoy.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 24, 2013

Though Muscle Shoals can seem a little conventional, you could never say the same thing of its soundtrack

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 19, 2013

Supremely enjoyable, Muscle Shoals doesn't add much to the record, but it will probably induce you to flip through your collection for a few to spin.

| Original Score: 87/100 | Dec 5, 2013

Emotionally moving but messy, it survives thanks to its superb songs, great cinematography and insightful anecdotes - in spite of its lack of a satisfactory conclusion.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 4, 2013

What is it that makes the music recorded in the studios in this small, out-of-the-way part of Alabama so magical? That's the question this documentary film tries to answer.

| Original Score: B | Nov 19, 2013

The movie never quite captures the magic of Muscle Shoals, but it's still fun to hear old pros like Aretha Franklin and Keith Richards trade tales.

| Original Score: B | Nov 12, 2013

Its story is well-worth telling.

| Original Score: B | Nov 11, 2013