A searing, soul-searching jewel...Mystical maverick, pastoral prince, rock behemoth: *Robert Plant* has transcended ordinary levels of fame and regard and as such could easily rest on his tight-trousered, leonine-haired laurels. Instead he continues to record endlessly engaging material and has created here one of his best-ever solo records.
This album consolidates a love of world music with heavy rock and folk in a feverish celebration. Conjuring the traditions of the Middle East, India and Western trance with lute instrumentation from Ghana, djembe drums and Omnichords, everything coalesces into a fantastical heady mix of unparalleled warmth.
There’s a return to his Black Country roots on opener ‘Little Maggie’, a traditional song featuring bluegrass style mandolin and guitar. At first the voice isn’t recognisable. Only as it soars into its higher registers does it become characteristically Plant-like.
The single ‘Rainbow’ sounds like *Tinariwen* playing around an English campfire, with an elegant central vocal arabesque and hypnotic percussion. ‘Pocketful Of Golden’ is heavier of bass, an ecstatic, emotional entreaty with a repetitive, trance-fuelled chorus.
‘Embrace Another Fall’ has a muscular Malian influence with guitarist Liam Tyson doing an admirable Jimmy Page impression. The musicianship throughout is stunning, its virtuosity sweetly subtle. ‘A Stolen Kiss’ is a tender Celtic lullaby of simple piano lines and a vocal that gets increasingly dark as Plant’s voice cracks towards the end.
Much like *Bowie*’s most recent work there is a fragility and timeworn quality to the powerhouse voice, which is emotive and humanising. A searing, soul-searching jewel.
*8/10*
Words: *Anna Wilson*
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Listen to ‘Lullaby And… The Ceaseless Roar’ on Deezer, below… Reported by Clash 12 hours ago.