WaveSpace

I'm going to write a series of posts about my favorite albums, in no particular order, just a randomized assortment of those albums that, for whatever reason, stuck with me over the years. They may not be the best by any more objective measure, or even the best by the particular artist, but they're ones that I never grow tired of hearing.

First up is Now and Zen by Robert Plant, released in 1988. I got it on tape in 1989... eventually I wore out the cassette from repeated listening. Plant's solo work has always been overshadowed by his popularity in some 70's band whose name I forget. (That's a joke, folks). But it deserves an unbiased listen, particularly this album, perhaps his strongest (admittedly, I have not listened to the last few). Even now, twenty years later, it still sounds pretty crisp (of course, rock music hasn't evolved much in that time). It coupled a modern rock sound with smart use of synth/keyboards without sounding "Eighties" (not that it would be a bad thing). And the lyrics are masterful. Every track is great.

Heaven Knows

The use of keyboards and an angelic choir give this a modern sound, like the rest of the album. The lyrics abound with clever twists. Plant often writes lyrics that are sexual in a smart way. And who else name drops the Ton-Ton Macoute? "What kind of fool am I?" ... something I have often asked and never answered!

Dance on My Own

A buzz-bombing synth bass swoops down and the backing vocals kick in. Nice, short guitar solo. I could definitely relate to the persona in this song, a teen so crazed with desire he doesn't know what to do. The solution? "Dance until I drop... move until I stop." Good advice from the elder statesman/Rock God.

Tall Cool One

This was a big hit back then, primarily because it sampled a bunch of classic Zep riffs, it becomes increasingly Zepp-ified leading to a final riff explosion. But apparently it was meant to send a not-too-subtle message to Jimmy Page... hammered in with the "Lighten up!" refrain. Back then it was my least favorite song on the album, but it has grown on me since then.

Ship of Fools

This got some airplay back in the day on rock radio but wasn't a huge hit. It's a beautiful song, composed as a lullaby, filled with dreamlike, timeless, mind-expanding lyrics like "at my feet eternity draws ever sweeter plans for me." I've always meant to find out if it borrows anything from the novel of the same name.

Why

"She wants it bad..." but we don't know why. I ain't complaining!

Helen of Troy

Asking why again... don't question it, Bob! I especially like the "the world is waiting here for you" chorus.

The Way I Feel

I'm not quite sure what emotion he's going after here, perhaps the edge of melancholy or regret, but it's a nice song nonetheless.

White, Clean and Neat

Cool use of samples from what sounds like documentaries of 50's suburban life. It captures the disparity between America's clean-cut image at the time and the impulses propelling rock-n-roll to the forefront of popular culture... "Beneath her skirts, between the clean, white sheets, it's such a long way from the streets."

Walking Towards Paradise

This track didn't appear on the tape version of Now and Zen, so it is totally new to me; I don't feel like I missed much.