Review of Raising Sand
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Raising Sand
1/5 Stars
The best way to judge a plant is by the fruit it bears. That being
said, who would have expected Robert Plant to produce such a rotten
crop? His new album Raising Sand is quite possibly his worst piece of
art yet. Aside from the disappointing fact that the album in no way
sounds like Led Zeppelin, Raising Sand lacks the creativity associated
with Plant.
The album begins with a folky, country sound that is maintained
throughout the entire album. The subsequent tracks include an overuse
of cheesy slide guitar and lyrics like, “Leaves were falling, just
like embers.” The midsection of Raising Sand is reduced to slow,
sporadic guitar picking, redundant drum beats and standard chord
progressions, ornamented with lyrics of lost love and broken
friendship.
The only time the album makes any positive impression is with the
song “Fortune Teller.” Perhaps the only reason it does so is that
Plant switches his voice back from that of a down-and-out country
singer to his distinctive, Zeppelin sound. But just when Plant makes a
rebound, he cuts back into the same, dry blues sound that only
80-somethings would find interesting. Regardless of your curiosity
about Robert Plant’s artistic endeavors since his hey-day as lead
singer of the Mighty Led Zep, do not buy this album.
- Evan O’Donnell
October 7th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
And why would you be disapointed that an album Robert has released does not sound like Zeppelin? He hasn’t been in that band for over 25 years and in that time has produced a wide variety of styles that are nothing like Zeppelin. If you want Led Zeppelin, listen to the remasters. If you want something new and different, check out Robert Plant’s 25 year solo history without applying the Led Zeppelin filter to it.
October 13th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Utter crap review. No mention whatsoever of Alison Krauss. Reviewer has clearly not listened to any of Robert Plant’s solo material in the past several years. Check out the reviews on Amazon or BN.com for a more educated opinion.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
and in case you didn’t hear, this was an album of COVERS, so before you go insulting the lyrics you should probably know SOMETHING about the album. good luck on your next review, if you get one…
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:38 am
Evan - WOW - you don’t get it, do you? please don’t review anything until you’ve done even the slightest bit of research. Or at least read a review by someone who has…
see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/rwcz/
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Yeah, that’s a pretty crappy review. I’m not so sure that you can insult a blues/ folk/ americana album by saying that the songs are too bluesy and folksy…that’s kind of the point. Good advice to check out the great reviews from Amazon & B.N. Or perhaps the very favorable review on rollingstone.com. Or maybe the feature article in the NYTimes. All very qualified people, all great comments.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Review of the review: Zero stars. The worst I’ve ever read,. The comments above fully explanes why.
October 25th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I am 60 years old, I first saw Robert Plant in “Band of Joy” pre-Zep, Robert has grown greatly over the years. Raising Sand is an excellent album. I was listening to Robert while the reviewer was still messing his drawers. Grow like Plant reviewer.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:47 am
What a crap review! This album is really great and very refreshing.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Anyone whose review of a Robert Plant record opens with such cornball nonsense as “The best way to judge a plant is by the fruit it bears” has no business criticizing so much as a nursery rhyme, much less John Prine’s lyrics. I also wonder if the “reviewer” has ever listened to any Zeppelin that isn’t currently in rotation on classic rock radio- “That’s the Way” from Led Zeppelin III would be right at home on this album.
November 17th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Please leave your uninformed simple minded reviews to what you might be qualified for, (although it baffles me as to what that might be). Had you a clue you would have noted much of Zeps celtic and folk influence, and to not mention Ms Krauss herself precludes you from the college of musical knowledge…Please leave future reviews to those who at least UNDERSTAND the material. That being said…this CD is a totally inspired joy!
November 25th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I simply am stunned that the reviewers benchmark is, it does’nt sound like Led Zep therefore its bad…get a grip man!
Things have moved on, this is NOT a Led Zep album, was never meant to be a Led Zep album and is not being marketed to Led Zep fans. It’s intended for people who can actually appreciate music, ALL kinds of music.
Plant himself, has not made anything that sounds much like a Led Zep Album in years…are you therefore dissapointed by his enitre solo career. You add further insult to injury by not giving any recognition to the woman who has won more grammy’s than any other…due to her talent and musical ability.
You sir are an idiot, and rather than keep quiet and leave us guessing, you’ve commited the cardinal crime of opening your mouth(or a least a new review document) and proving that to the world.
Back to the album though, and lets get over this moronic attempt at a review.
It is quite simply one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. Created by two performers I enjoy for different reasons who stimulate different feelings when I hear them and here are working together as one to produce something unique, exciting and magical that is quite different from their respective norms.
It is a stunning colaboration, just stunning. Not to everyone’s tastes of course..as can be seen by the idiotic Zep heads comments, but for those who realy appreciate musical talent searching to find new heights, this is gold.