Robert Plant does not give up and on Carry Fire he continues with his ethnomusic excursion related to Anglo-American folklore. For those who don't know, just as his other recent solo works, Carry Fire has nothing to do with excessive release of testosterone from the era of Led Zeppelin. Plant does not scream; he is not a growling alpha male with peacock feathers anymore, rather a silent charmer who know how it's supposed to be done, and he has been doing "it" for quite some time now.
When it comes to the sound, Carry Fire leans on its predecessor Lullaby...and the Ceaseless Roar. It is a sensitive, mystic and sensual record that buys your attention with every tone. Some audio background of his band came off as perpetuum mobile - harmonies could reiterate for aeons and they would still be interesting. Although The May Queen and New World are not bad per se, Season's Song presents Plant in his full power. Dance With You Tonight continues in the same tempo, with optimal ratio of British folk and psychedelic ingredients. This song would be ideal If he could have featured a doyen of British folk, prematurely departed Sandy Denny, with whom he already had a duet The Battle Of Evermore.
Weaker section of the record starts with Bluebirds Over The Mountain penned by Ersel Hackey for whom everyone suspected was an alter ego of Paul McCartney. Bluebirds Over The Mountain was more effective in the interpretation of The Beach Boys, and even Ritchie Valens sounded more convincing than Plant. In title track, Plant comes close to some of the folk singers from my country who were never reluctant to utilize Spanish and Oriental influences in their music. I was not impressed by this song, but that's how it is with Plant - the man is unpredictable, sometimes too much for his own good. But it's ok, maybe it will be played in some hipster oriental lounge bar.
Bones of Saints is a successful stylistic exercise of early rock 'n' roll, which would probably get a higher grade If we didn't already know what this man can do with rock 'n' roll. Keep It Hid leaves better impression, while Heaven Sent is a true standout - a foggy ambient sensual jazz that could serve as soundtrack for Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter, National Day, Election Day... It is a powerful piece of music meant to be shared in intimacy. Although guitar and Plant's vocal sound very suggestive, piano sections steal the show.
Yeah, Plant spoiled us with good music, but I am left with the impression that he was a bit stiff this time around. That doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to Carry Fire. It's just that I would rather play some of his previous records.
