The very richness of the music bears the weight of a long, unpredictable life, but the album's tenor -- not to mention the songs themselves -- suggests a boundless possibility, and that's why Carry Fire is an album of hope: Plant wears his years proudly, yet he's not concerned with any moment other than the present.
Plant continues down his remarkably innovative path on the combustible Carry Fire, further expanding an already eclectic, forward-thinking solo career and creating an artistic, often edgy persona largely removed from past glories many younger fans may not even be familiar with.
The material, arrangements, and performances on Carry Fire would be impressive for any young, brash newcomer. The fact that it comes from the mind of Robert Plant should be no surprise to anyone who’s been following his solo career. It’s still a relief to hear something so fresh from a legendary artist with plenty of creative gas in the tank.
In its intricate, hybrid weave of folk, rock, North African rhythms and stylings, and even discreetfibres of electronica, this album represents a higher creative point than, say, his somewhat poodle-haired solo work of the early 1980s.
His eleventh studio album Carry Fire is just another rung in the ladder of Plant fully realizing the maximum potential of his musical scope. Most of the eleven tracks are mellow and reflective, with Plant seeming to favor his voice in several tunes, the most delicate and contained use of his voice to date.
On Carry Fire, Robert Plant interrupts his prevailing amorous quest for “a heart that never falters, a love that never dies” with a clutch of politically motivated songs that find him in unusually critical mood.
Although Carry Fire seemingly follows the same formula as his previous effort with the Space Shifters, 2014’s Lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar, his sound is ever-changing, experimenting with the science of otherworldly instrumentation. But above all else, it’s his wisdom that keeps him going, and by the looks of everything he brought to the table in Carry Fire, he’s not stopping anytime soon.
There is certainly plenty here to explore and enjoy on Carry Fire, but a sparser and more melodic approach next time out would be welcome.
This was far far better than I thought it was going to be. There's still plenty of life left in the old dog yet. Like his Alison Krauss collaboration this is a restrained and haunting album, that surprises and catches you off guard when the energy suddenly bursts into life.
Essential Track - Bluebirds Over the Mountain
doesn't sound like what i was hearing in led zeppelin but overall i love the record it sounds cool to me.
Hint"it's my first time to listen to Robert Plant's solo career".
my top 3 songs are:
1- Dance with you tonight
2- Bones of saint
3- blue birds over the mountain
Not as great as Lullaby and... The Ceaseless Roar but still a really good album. This sounds much more like what they do in the live shows than the previous albums.
1 | The May Queen 4:14 | |
2 | New World... 3:29 | |
3 | Season's Song 4:19 | |
4 | Dance With You Tonight 4:48 | |
5 | Carving Up the World Again... a Wall and Not a Fence 3:55 | |
6 | A Way With Words 5:18 | |
7 | Carry Fire 5:28 | |
8 | Bones of Saints 3:47 | |
9 | Keep It Hid 4:07 | |
10 | Bluebirds Over the Mountain 4:58 | |
11 | Heaven Sent 4:39 |
#4 | / | Classic Rock Magazine |
#7 | / | American Songwriter |
#8 | / | The Sunday Times |
#20 | / | Gigwise |
#25 | / | Uncut |
#32 | / | Rolling Stone |
#32 | / | Rolling Stone (Australia) |
/ | AllMusic | |
/ | The Sydney Morning Herald |