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Robert Plant’s 2014 effort is arguably both subtly complex and quite listenable. His successful evolution from Zeppelin frontman to creative rock solo artist to now, within the course of his last three albums, creator of a new genre (Country & Welshtern?) is nothing short of astounding. Throughout all of his diversity, however, runs the common theme of roots music, whether it’s the Delta blues of Willie Dixon or the rural folk themes of his native England.

“Little Maggie,” a tradition tune, opens the disc and thematically sets the tone of a beautifully played, written and produced work. Each song pulses lightly and evenly from the last, making the album eminently enjoyed as a single work. The rhythms are set back in the mix but still drive each track soulfully. English pipes and fiddles are used sparingly and with intelligent effect. Guitar work is integrated into the melodies with passion but without bombast. But it’s Plant’s voice that is on display, and it’s an excellent voice this man has retained and developed over four decades and more.

At first listening, there are early moments when one feels a song or two might slide into something closer to Enya or even Gerry & the Pacemakers, but the fear is unwarranted. This is very good work, and my personal standouts are “Embrace Another Fall” and “Up on the Hollow Hill (understanding Arthur).” Images of fog clinging to castle ruins, ghosts of forlorn lovers, medieval milk maids at dawn and all sorts of cool English images flow through the songs and out of Robert’s mouth. In fact, the music is unquestionably folk, but there are deceptive and delicious layers to it that make me believe that “lullaby” has music awards coming in its very near future.

This entry was posted on December 18, 2014 at 9:24 pm and is filed under Music with tags led zeppelin, lullaby ceaseless roar, Robert Plant. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.