First posted on Mark Is Cranky:
Back in Led Zeppelin's day, it was near to impossible to twist the radio dial (Yea, radios had dials back then...think of a radio dial as an ancient, manual hyperlink, without the internet or computers or any of that stuff. Wait, you don't know what a radio is?) and not stumble into airing number eight bazillion of either "Stairway To Heaven", "Black Dog" or "Whole Lotta Love". Most of us (well, the guys anyway) loved 'em. They were the rock and rolls godz of that era. We even got all slack-jawed at junk like the weird little mini-movies (excuse me, vignettes) that confused us in the middle of The Song Remains The Same and the tales of drugs, drink, sex and fish parts in Hammer of the Gods.
But then a coupla things happened. Zeppelin put out In Through The Out Door, which we all said was cool but, in reality, in our bedrooms late at night with our obligatory Farrah Fawcett posters on the wall...well, we thought it was sorta dull. No spine-tingling shrieks from Plant, no snarling alpha-guitar from Page. OK, the multiple covers and the paper bag thing was cool. But "Hot Dog"? Yow. Then John Bonham died and Zeppelin, perhaps already making the slow fade, was gone.
A few years later, Robert Plant put out Pictures at Eleven, the first in a string of solo records. The music, while toned down in intensity from Zeppelin, shared the former band's eclecticism. Plant finally hit it big with Now And Zen, which contained a bunch of radio hits including "Ship Of Fools", "Tall Cool One" and "Heaven Knows" (with guest Jimmy Page on the latter two).
Then...I just plain forgot about Plant. He's been busy touring, producing more solo material and even getting back together with Page (Walking Into Clarksdale, which I think I bought used...but can't remember a thing about, except that I bought it used). God knows what I've been up to, but listening to Robert Plant (or at least keeping up with the new stuff) isn't on the list.
Yesterday I ventured into Tower Records for the first time in quite a number of years. I'd given up on 'em because their prices were just nuts. The last disc I bought from them was Pat Metheny's Imaginary Day, which was a Christmas present for a friend. On the last day before the holiday vacation I really, really, really needed a copy. The local Newbury Comics (whose idea of a well-stocked jazz section is ten copies of the latest Kenny G, one of Kind of Blue and something (anything!) by Diana Krall) didn't have it. So I braved the crazy-long line and shelled out the (gulp) $18.99. Never again. So as I'm skulking up and down the rows, I see the new Robert Plant CD, Mighty ReArranger. Hmmm, looks interesting. The day before I'd heard a teaser for an NPR interview with Plant. Something about African music. Sounds like Plant's still drilling down into the music of the rest of the planet.
Article comments
1 - Paul Roy
Thanks for the great review. I've been debating myself on picking this one up. Although I was (am) a huge Zep fan, I was never too crazy about Plant's solo stuff. Yeah it was all good, but hardly Zeppelin quality. I heard "Shine It All Around" on the radio and thought it was great so maybe I'll give this album a shot.
2 - Mark Saleski
it's weird that they picked "Shine It All Around" as it's not nearly the best song on the record (uhm...whatever 'best' means)
3 - Jake
I have only listened through this CD once. Before that, the only track I had heard was "Shine it all Around". I love that track, his voice sounds great and I was hoping for more of the same on the rest of the CD.
Unfortunately, I don't share Robert's fasination with African/Indian music, and that is what pervades most of this album. The album is complex and textured, and I guess the critics should line up and praise him as they have.
Me? I was just hoping that he and his band would just let loose with some simpler, catchier rock tunes, and lose some of the N.African influences. You know, like "Shine it all Around"!!
In fairness, I have to listen to it at least a few more times before I'll know whether it may grow on me.
4 - JR
Yesterday I ventured into Tower Records for the first time in quite a number of years. I'd given up on 'em because their prices were just nuts.
Their regular prices are nuts. You gotta watch out for their sales, though. They'll have a lot of good backlog stuff for $7.99 and $8.99. I even got the remasters of Aja and Gaucho for $5.99 at one of Tower's freak two-day sales.
Another place to look is J&R Music in Manhattan, or at their website. I just ordered a bunch of Ellington, Monk and Miles Davis remasters for $6.99 each. Unfortunately, they don't offer free shipping; but on the other hand, if you go to NYC you have to pay like 9% sales tax, so it could be cheaper to have them ship it to you.
5 - Bob Roberts
Everybody likes to be a critic these days. Actually, it's more fun than just enjoying the music! So, I find it startling how many music critics show up in one form or another on the internet and in publications these days.
What's even more startling is how the only reviews you'll ever find on the internet, in particular, are the positive ones. It's like the music companies pay a certain amount to writers as a "gratuity" for saying something nice about a new product.
No matter what your age or what your tastes, music and sung lyrics either have an addictive catch sound to them - or they don't. To say that Mighty Rearranger is the best offering by Robert Plant ever in his solo career is pure bullshit. Unless you're fortunate enough to be financially well off and able to get a little "messed up with the mekon" all day and listen to this oddly flavored mess of "head shop wanna be" world music - I'd say ROBERT HAS JUST LEFT THE BUILDING- and in this case that's a good thing.
6 - Eric Berlin
Bob -- You sound just like a critic... which puts you right at home at BlogCRITICS.org.
And I'd be surprised if many "Internet reviewers" are getting paid to write positive copy about Plant's album or any other album.
In fact, I'd be startled silly if any were.
7 - Mark Saleski
so...if i'd said that this was just another limp, watered down, derivative (just to bring up a few tasty reviewer negative cliches) Robert Plant recording, that wouldn't have been bullshit?
right.
8 - Jake
Well, I posted a review (above) after listening to the CD only once. I have now had it in my car going on a week now. The songs that initially didn't reel me in, now have, and there's really only one track I don't care for.
Of course Robert's voice is not what it once was, but this CD puts any prevous solo effort to bed. I mean if you played this back to back with, say, "Now and Zen", the latter would sound downright silly in comparison. This music and lyrics are rich in texture and drama. However, topping any of his previous solo works is not a big challenge.
I wish this CD had an eye more toward making catchy, more ear friendly songs instead of being a little too self conscious in it's seriousness, and incorporating world music.
I hope that Robert and this new band record again after this tour, I think it would be even better, particularly if Plant steers a little more clear of North African instrumentation.
Overall a very good effort from Plant. This is by no means just a product put out there to sell and tour behind, this is very good, and in some places, outstanding. A track called "Dancing in Heaven" is one of those places.
9 - Les Hill-Pruden
I picked up Mighty Rearranger at a used CD store not expecting to enjoy it one bit. I have every Zep CD, all of Page's solo work, as well as most of Plant's. From all of Plant's solo work i have only found one song that i enjoy enough to put on my iPod..."Anniversary" from Manic Nirvana. After listening to Rearranger, i was shocked. It was a breath of fresh air. It's good to see that Plant can still put out awsome music after so many years.