I was not impressed with the last Plant solo album at all and was coming into this album with a very negative feeling. This is the music that Robert has decided was too important to put out instead of reuniting Led Zeppelin and making a billion dollars or three over the last couple years. I have to admit I'm ok with the Led Zeppelin reunion being shunned. He can't sing those songs anylonger in a live setting. So Band Of Joy is what we get and honestly I don't know if its the time that has passed since I really listened to Plant's music and have grown to miss his wail but I find this album charming.
The man is really in a newly influenced mind set from the duets with Allison Krause. But the blues aspect of the music he's brought back really fits. It's like listening to Led Zeppelin II and parts of Z0So (IV) at the heart of the album. One of the best recordings Robert has ever given his fans is "Silver Ride" a haunting majestic number that sent shivers down my spine. Just beautiful song and performance that he will never capture again I'm positive of that considering his age. Just like the underrated and brilliant Ian Hunter has done on his last couple of albums Robert has come full circle and released an album worthy of his legendary reputation.
The bouncy bright jingle of "You Can't Buy My Love" sounds like Plant is twenty years old again and recording music for the love of it not because its his livelihood. I can even hear the influence of that one shot Honeydrippers album here on the song "I'm Falling In Love Again" which is just awesome in my opinion. The country and very Rolling Stones-ish "The Only Sound That Matters" should be on your immediate listening list. His reading of "Cindy I'll Marry You One Day" by Bobbs-Merrill from 1904 doesn't sound outdated or out of place. Another one of those moments on the album that a true fan of music can only appreciate.
The traditional folk tune "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down" is jaw dropping. The 'Golden God' again proves he's worthy of being called the greatest rock singer to ever live with his performance on this song and the other eleven. The sadness, anger and conviction of the song is not lost by the aging legend as he sounds as if he's at the crossroads ready for battle. This album is so bloody awesome that you should just buy yourself a copy now. This is one of the most effective and affective albums I've heard in years a true classic that can easily sit alongside Robert's greatest moments in any of his projects over the years.
***** Sheer Brilliance
0 comments:
Post a Comment