“Lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar” Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters
The iconic Robert Plant — lead vocalist from Led Zeppelin — is another of those classic rockers who’s not only still recording, but also making great music. This is his tenth studio album in a solo career that now stretches more than 30 years. “Lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar” is a set of mostly original songs (“Little Maggie” is a cover of a 1940s standard) that sees Plant merging rock, folk and world sensibilities and rhythms — with a dash of synthesizer and programmed beats — and coming up with an immensely satisfying musical experience. While those longing for the head-banging rock of his LZ days may be disappointed, this is more of a rock record than his most recent roots and country-driven album. And although the lyrics of several songs explore a recently failed relationship with a Texas folk singer-songwriter, this is not an album designed to chase away demons. It’s just honest, creative, world-flavored rock from an industry veteran.
— Francis

Recommended: 1, 2, 9, 6, 7, 4, 8 No FCCs detected.

1. (5:06) Little Maggie – Dizzying, mid-tempo folk-rock with a world vibe. African banjo (kologo). Tribal percussion. Airy vocals. Single-stringed, West African fiddle (ritti). All this gets wrapped up in pulsing, fuzzy synths toward the end. Great! ****
2. (4:18) Rainbow – Hypnotic, repetitive rhythms. Guitar. Soaring vocals. Really catchy melody. ****
3. (4:12) Pocketful of Golden – Whirling dervish of a rock song. Leisurely tempo with syncopated drums and flute-like ritti fiddle sounds heard from time to time.
4. (5:52) Embrace Another Fall – Mystical, Led Zeppelin-esque sounds over a drum-driven bed. Swirling synths. Distant, wistful vocals from Plant. Big guitar middle, followed by gentle, ethereal female vocals. **
5. (4:05) Turn It Up – Off-kilter beat, with interplay between prog guitar and complex world percussion. Edgy guitar licks layered in during lead breaks. Far-off, reverbed vocals.
6. (5:15) A Stolen Kiss – Celtic piano lullaby. Subtle melody. Crying synths. Introspective vocals about Plant’s recently ended relationship. Nice! ***
7. (4:32) Somebody There – Ringing guitars. Backbeat rhythm. Lyrics linger, looking back over Plant’s lifetime of experience. Strong guitar solo in lead break. ***
8. (4:13) Poor Howard – Folk-rock, again with a world flair. Lightly skipping African banjo and fiddle. Good use of backing chorus harmonies. **
9. (5:07) House of Love – Sprawling, melodic folk-rock with tom-toms thumping and Plant’s reassuring vocals over synth strings. Middle Eastern flavor to lead breaks. ***
10. (4:35) Up on the Hollow Hill (Understanding Arthur) – Mystical closer, with exotic world percussion, synths and some great guitar work.
11. (2:46) Arbaden (Maggie’s Babby) – Echo of album opener. Runaway train on a track. Swirling synths. African chants mixed with Plant’s vocals.