Robert Plant - Dreamland (CD)

All Music Guide

Where many musicians in his position continue to spin their wheels with bland returns to former glories, Robert Plant continues to strive for new and interesting ideas. Dreamland, his first true solo album since 1993's Fate of Nations, paints the singer as a Peter Gabriel-esque singer/songwriter, blending his moody pop with elements from world music and electronica. This is a refreshing change from the heavy-handed approach he took on his collaborations with guitarist Jimmy Page through the '90s. Where those albums took their emphasis on ethnic musics too far away from their own songwriting abilities, Dreamland treats those elements like accents to Plant's bluesy pop songs. Thus, tiny flourishes like the Indian-styled guitar solo on "One More Cup of Coffee" are interesting and natural ways to improve the song. The stuttered rhythm of "Last Time I Saw Her" is pure Zeppelin, but carried over a bed of eerie Moog noises and rolling drums instead of a pounding collection of riffs. Fans of L...ed Zeppelin may not take to these stylistic changes well, but Plant's adventurous tendencies are well placed on the ten songs here. Plus, "Song to the Siren" is one of the most beautiful Plant ballads in years, showcasing his husky croon in a flattering manner as the song floats on gently picked guitar and lush keyboards. A selection of covers, ranging from Tim Buckley's atmospheric "Win My Train Fare Home" to the aforementioned Dylan number "One More Cup of Coffee," barely hint at their source writers, as Plant's charismatic wail transforms the songs into his own. Although this may lack the energy of his previous work, Dreamland is a welcome return for a musician who has a contagious enthusiasm for experimentation. - Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide Read more Less