Robert Plant - Lullaby...and The Ceaseless Roar

"And if the sun refused to shine". 

So sang Robert Plant on 'Thank You' back in 1969 on Led Zeppelin II and here he is again with the same line to begin the hypnotic 'Pocket Full of Golden' on what is his 10th studio album and the first to feature his new touring band, the Sensational Space Shifters. The blues may not be entirely left behind as 'Poor Howard' is a rewrite of Lead Belly's 'Po' Howard' but the remainder of the album mixes up the genres yet generally appears to be firmly rooted in the folks sounds of England, America and thanks to members of his band, of North Africa. 

The African sounds and rhythms are apparent from the outset with the traditional 'Little Maggie' despite the song being firmly rooted in the Appalachian culture of America. It was a song Plant attempted during the sessions for 'Raising Sand' with Alison Krauss but here, it takes on a new life as swirling strings (Juldeh Camara on ritti - a one stringed fiddle, perhaps) are joined by futuristic spaced out tape loops from John Baggott. 

Plant's liaison with American culture led to a relationship with Patty Griffin but that relationship ended and Plant found himself adrift in the US. On 'Turn It Up' he sings
"I'm lost inside America, I'm turning inside out
I'm turning into someone else I heard so much about"
and one wonders whether these words were influenced by his less happy times there. I guess that people will be searching the album lyrics for other signs that this is a break-up album and it may well be. Plant explained recently that he played the Incredible String Band's 'The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter' to Griffin and she fell about laughing. Definite grounds for separation, I would say.

The musicianship throughout the album is superb with long time associate Justin Adams providing some wonderful guitar solos as on the aforementioned 'Turn It Up'. And the music is wonderfully varied from the softly rocking 'Up On The Hollow Hill' to the beautiful ballad 'A Stolen Kiss'.

A great album that has been added to the ever growing list of contenders for album of the year. I also look forward to seeing this material played live in November.