Back in the days when Led Zeppelin was still a going concern, my friends all seemed to worship guitarist Jimmy Page. And indeed, the man could play guitar; terrestrial radio (and now its satellite competitor, XM Sirius) still vibrates to the mighty riffs Page laid down for songs such as "Whole Lotta Love" and the notorious "Stairway To Heaven."
But since Zeppelin broke up three decades ago due to the death of drummer John Bonham, lead singer Robert Plant has stepped forward again and again as the band's most adventurous and creative survivor. Page's solo work has been spotty at best. Bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones has fared better, but I'd have to agree with an acquaintance who described his appearance a few years ago at the Madrid Theatre as "John Paul Drones."
Plant's new disc, "Band of Joy," brims with bright moments. The opening track, "Angel Dance," is almost power pop. Originally a Los Lobos song, Plant emphasizes its celebration of familial love and the passage of time.
Terrific, too, is Plant's cover of Richard Thompson's "House of Cards," thanks in part to Patty Griffin's soaring vocals. Plant's generosity on the song shouldn't go unmentioned -- on the choruses, he gives Griffin the melodic line while he takes the harmony.
Throughout this album, in fact, Plant moves further away from the rock-godling shriek that defined his Zeppelin days. This is only natural; as singers experience more and more birthdays, their vocal range tends to drop. Some, though, refuse to acknowledge time's mortal snare. On "Band of Joy," though, Plant seems to be reveling in it. And why not? Consider the alternative.