From: Nech <tytlane@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: zeppelin <zeppelin@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: A fake review from a real fan ?
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 14:09:12 -0400
OK so I got me this disc and I give it a whirl. I purged my mind of all
negative influences and delve into it as open minded and as footloose and
fancyfree as I can be without getting fired. I turn it up to 11. Which
isn't much for my PoS pc speakers.
Thumpa thumpa strumma strumma and then there it is. THat voice ! The voice
of Led Zeppelin. The Golden God. Oh my what have they done ?
What in Lord's name is that *effect* ? The voice is familiar, but that
flat thin compressed breathe in breathe out sound immediately sets me back.
I shall call it the breathalyzer from here on in. A rather catchy tune,
somewhat reminiscent of WiC's Shining in the Light. In fact , too much so
as for a first listen ( oh yeah all of the following is based strictly on
my first listen notes and observations ! ) I find myself doing the same
thing I did when I first put on WiC...c'mon where's the oomph I keep
imagining is coming round the corner? Unfortunately, it didn't come. I feel
cheated, like slipping on a condom I didn't need.
A nice track, but am I being too critical?? Gotta stop thinking LZ1 and the
gonads against the walls opener and listen on......
Next track, the one that's been floating thru the ether and even made it
onto some radios. Not here in NY....yet. I dig the groove. I dig the funky
keys. I can't stand the effect. The voice is good. In fact great, the
chorus shows us he can hit it. But who the frig convinced Robert that that
breathalyzer effect is in ? When it drops out and he gives us a
wholehearted delivery outta his golden throat, He's still da man. Shine it
all around - thumbs up so far.
Freedom Fries - Some good musicianship on this puppy. Crank it up and have
your freinds ask you if this is a Manic Nirvana outtake. I kid you not.
That's what happened...a head peeped up over my cube ( aka hellhole ) wall
and asked "Manic Nirvana ?" Great for fans of that era. Definately better
live.
Tin Pan Valley up next. 2 minutes of that God forsaken breathalyzer leading
up to 30 secs of 'Aw right Like This!!' Exactly, do it like THAT!!! Rock me
mama...oh wait back to breathing...Thank God it comes back to life again
and Dammit Robert you almost sound like Presence's Thor Voice. Why the
straglehold I think....why ? Shit this one even ends with him throwing in
his patented banshee moanwail trailing off a la Wanton Song.
All the kings Horses is a nice ballad although, for me at least, all way
too reminiscent of Dreamland's Song to the Siren. I mean at times I'd swear
I'm hearing it in my head more than this one as it traverses through the
synapses of my mind. A very nice mellody nonetheless I must say. The
slight touch of strings here and there really compliment it nicely. It's
just that strange Focusrite pre amp gone mad sound that hinders my
appreciation for this.
The Enchater left me disenchanted. Just plain to dirgish for my tastes and
the breathalyzer has been turned up to 12 for this one. The minute and a
half space age trail off ...ehhhh. Probably cool on headphones after a
heavy party, just not something I'd expect from RP&SS.
Takamba - Can't figure this one out completely. It's as disjointed as a
warped hunk of vinyl and dosen't find it's legs until 1:20 or so into it
and shows promise, then falls back into this strange formula of dry humping
riffs interspersed with clickity clacks and yelps with a moroccanish guitar
that seems stragely outta place.
Dancing in Heaven - Damn, that first chord reminds me so much of another
tune by another guitarist in another band. And get this, Roberts voice is
as good as it gets. Gone is that effect and I think I found my favorite
track on this cd for now. Someone paid close attention to the guitar works
of my stringed master and added a bit o Byrds flair to it. I like it. Two
thumbs up for this one.
Someone Knocking - I guess someone could appreciate this one. Gave me a
headache. Between that forsaken echoed tin pan voice effect and the jingle
jangle with drums marching to their own rythm and that eeeeeek c'mon c'mon
c'mon this one is filler IMO. Obviously someone really liked the Bombay
Session outtakes.
Let the 4 Winds Blow - Kinda reminds me of a Doors-ish Golden Earring
Pretenders blend. I kinda dig it. For such a dark and haunting sounding
number it had my foot tapping. My thumb is peeping up.
Mighty Rearranger- ahh the title track. I like the thumping bass on this.
Another one that made my foot tapping as I paid more attention to the music
than to Roberts voice. I guess that's the key. Forget trying to listen for
the old Plant. You'll hear him come through loud and clear on this one if
you get past the engineer's heavy hand on the breathalyzer knobs. When it's
off Robert's on. I wish he'd stop using it altogether.
And finally the song that does Robert most justice. The simple closer
Brother Ray. Shit, sounds like someone just left a mic running while
Robert was having fun. No effects, no gimmicks, no lyrics to decipher and
here we get to hear THAT voice again. It's good. If the rest of the album
had been recorded this way I'd give it a mighty hug.
I think I'm gonna be playing this one way more than Dreamland as since my
first listen I've already had it repeat 3x and other than the tunes were I
think went nowhere or just seemed to rely too heavily on that I just can't
seem to dig it vocal effect it's a keeper.
So Robert, drop the NQ, BD, and other need to be put to rest Zep tunes that
weigh you down and throw in Dancing in Heaven, a jazzed up Another Tribe
and a couple of other nuggets from your solo carreer and I'll be in line at
the Beacon pal.
Nech
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