Live Review: Robert Plant - Bluesfest, Byron Bay Saturday 30th March

Review: Bluesfest Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters 

As the last notes of the gospel group Blind Boys From Alabama rang out through the Mojo tent on a warm Saturday Night, a sudden feeling of pure ecstaticness ran through the audience like a current. The long wait for many fans was nearly coming to an end. Gracing the stage would be none other the Golden God of Rock Robert Plant himself. Whether you were a Hard core Led Zeppelin fan, a fan of Rock music in general, or a hipster that  thinks Stairway to Heaven is “so deep and meaningful”.  It didn’t matter, for everyone was ready to experience their own slice of Rock history right before their eyes. Even when the banner rolled down (featuring Plant in his 1970’s prime) an immediate yet powerful cheer runs through the Mojo tent. When Robert Plant finally took the stage everyone was in awe, witnessing a rock God in true shape and form.

Coming out dressed in casual wear yet still bearing the iconic golden locks, Plant seemed completely at home on stage. Starting off with the epic folk rock classic “Friends” from Zeppelin III, it was clear that Robert Plant no longer looked back with distain for his Zeppelin days (ala Band of Joy) and instead was ready to embrace the past yet look toward the future. Surprisingly it was the second song in (a non Zeppelin track by the way), that seemed to Rock the hardest. Tin Pan Alley began as a pseudo Psychedelic/Blues  fusion yet reached a riff heavy bridge which got the whole audience smiling from ear to ear (at least I was).

After the crowd calmed down a bit, we were all waiting for the next taste of Rock glory. After  a sombre rendition of “Another Tribe”. Plant began playing what almost no one in crowd (except those who actually  do research before going to  a gig)  could recognize until the line “Hey hey mama” was sung with the same fierceness and provocateur as Plants Zeppelin days. However “Black Dog” was given a new makeover  filled with African instruments, synths and an ensemble of percussion instruments (picture the breakdown in Whole lotta love going on for 6 minutes). Although some fans were clearly disappointed, overheard one groaning “what the F*ck is this!?” a fair question. But it was a bold move for Robert Plant to tinker with his Classics, and it gave a genuine sense that Robert Plant loves what he does and is in it all for the music.

“Spoonful” was yet another cover of a Blues standard, which actually to Plants credit actually made his music live up to the title of the festival (Paul Simon and Iggy Pop = Blues?). Then  came a faithful redition of “Going To California” another of Zeppelin IV. A highlight of many of Plants shows, the song showcased how strong of a voice Plant still has. The next trip down Zeppelin memory lane came in the form of the classic rock staples “Heartbreaker” and “Four Sticks”. Unlike the drastic changes to Black Dog, “Heartbreaker” and “Four Sticks”  sounded like the song had just been slowed down and given a more prominent blues feel. Jimmy Page is the pivotal key on the actual record, however Plant manages to still deliver the song, yet gaining the admiration for his voice. The song was the most Poignant song of the night. Jimmy Page was not there, John Paul Jones was not there, and Bonzo was not there. This was Robert Plant taking complete ownership of his material, and he plays it perfectly.

Finally the time came for the big finale, a final treat for those die hard Zeppelin fans. “Whole Lotta Love” reinforced the bond that Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin and Rock itself has had with the Blues.. Yet the song was played with the same classic Guitar riff and was finally a Zeppelin song that had some real crunch to it. The crowd had regained the same awe that was present at the beginning of the show. Of course an encore was inevitable,  Bron Y Aur  Stomp was a faithful rendition that fitted perfectly into the feel of the night. “Rock and Roll” was the most integral part of the show, watching Robert Plant completely own the stage, twirling the mike stand showcased that the Golden God was still with us. The song gave everyone in the audience to sing along to the famous “lonely, lonely time” line with Robert Plant himself. Then as Rock and Roll broke down into a swirl of many genres, everyone was captured on Plants every last word. After thanking his audience Robert Plant left the stage.

As the crowd exited the Mojo tent, a sense of pride and pleasure had passed through all of us. Robert Plant delivered the Led Zeppelin material everyone wanted to hear, yet could play around artistically with each of the tracks. Watching Robert Plant gave me the answer as to why Zeppelin will never reform for a tour. Robert Plant gets up to the microphone and can sing Zeppelin tracks and escapes the pressure of taking on the Rock God title once again. Robert Plant seemed to have such a personal connection to almost his musicians and his audience, it was through his love of music that drew everyone together. Hardly any of the older generation of musicians can have the distinction of artistic freedom without disappointing his audience. Yet Robert Plants love for music and his flawless ease on stage and on his songs provide further evidence that Plant is a legend with or without Led Zeppelin.

9.5/10 

Music Review! UNO! - Green Day

Green Day - UNO!

2012 was a big year for Green Day. Three albums in the span of four months would be considered career suicide for any major label artist. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong promised that these would be purely stand alone albums an not in a grand Rock Opera scheme. 

Even though the album is not a 'rock opera' per se, it fits into the concept of the trilogy. UNO!  is the angst/excitement before the party. DOS! is the raw, hormonal driven party. And TRE! is the self reflective, hangover. The concept of the three albums has been executed perfectly. In almost the same manner as Dookie is a timeless passage for teenage life. 

Coming off the grandeur of their last two rock opera efforts American Idiot (2004) & 21st Century Breakdown (2009), UNO! feels like the much needed back to basics, raw energy sound that has been absent for over a decade. The Album is dawned not with Banksy style artwork but is instead sported by a devilish grin from "not f*cking Justin Bieber" frontman Billie Joe Armstrong backed by a groovy background. 

"Ill show you what one f*cking minute means!!"

The album begins with no hesitation with an ode to breaking away from domestic life, aply titled "Nuclear Family".  The band scorches through the opening to re-introduce you to the kick in the face Green Day of the mid 90's, while having some of the strongest melodies of the trilogy. The albums then almost descends with the slow, almost dull intro to Stay The Night. However when the song kicks off it presents yet another Nimrod style rocker. This time around the boys take aim at one of the massive themes of the trilogy, Sexual tension. Lyrics like "Well I haven't got much time so i'll get to the point. Do you want to share a ride and get the f*ck out of this joint" push the song to its climatic chorus cementing its place as a live staple for Green Day. 

The albums continues the high power energy however this time around takes more of a power pop Cheap Trick sound in Carpe Diem. The track has some of the tightest performances from the band on the album, however some of the lyrics about mundane situations are amusing it does eventually make the song fall into cliche'. The next track brings us the raw pop punk Green Day that is most associated with the band. Let Yourself Go takes the band into the territory of previous songs such as American Idiot and Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, yet still retaining beautifully executed melodies that are hard not to whistle to. Personally the track is a favorite from the whole trilogy and makes you quite miss the bitter Green Day. 

After making the audience comfortable with four tracks of pure Green Day-Ness, the band hit hard with an experimental dance track Kill the DJ. Sounding like something off of The Clashes  "Sandinista!, the track is a pleasant fusion experiment for Green Day with some slick four on the floor drumming from Tre Cool. It seems that song earns more merit for being a dance song by Green Day rather than its surprisingly catchy chorus and bitter yet confusing lyrics. The albums then almost instantly drops down a peg. Fell For You is a catchy power pop track, but it really doesn't feel like this is the best Green Day have to offer. At best it is filler. 

The rest if the album continues with the themes established in Nuclear Family and Stay the Night. Loss Of Control starts sounding almost like a lost Black Sabbath track, however after the feedback clears and the power chords appear its pure Green Day. The song acts almost like a reflective middle aged version of school yard angst. "I'd rather go to a funeral then to this High school reunion!" Armstrong snarls with anger. The track just screams mosh pit favorite. The next song to appear is the high power, groovy TroubleMaker. Starting with muted strings and a slick drum beat, the song develops into one of the most anxious and uplifting of the album. Although some of the lyrics are somewhat goofy, the track along with the former is where the band truly start to have a bit of fun on the album. TroubleMaker also features one of the most impressive guitar solos in Green Days catalogue. Well done Billie. 

Angel Blue does provide some strong lyrics (Crush my heart like a stick in the mud. Cut my chest just to see the blood.) but the song just sounds too much like other tracks on the album. It has some strong verses but rhyming Teenage traces with Pretty faces is just corny. In saying that, the track isn't unlistenable and many fans do enjoy the song, but it just reaks filler. 

UNO! then begins to wind down after chaotic energy burst of the previous tracks. A needed ballad chimes in with Sweet 16, but this isn't a 21 guns or a Good Riddance, it's still power pop. But dawn good power pop. The lyrics are about the relationship between Billie Joe and his wife of 16 years and while the lyrics are personal they seem to accompany 2000 Light Years Away brilliantly. The vocals are as clean and polished as Billie Joe's voice has ever been, providing the sweet aspect. Rearing off from Sweet 16 is the seminal Rusty James. Another personal chapter of not just Billies but the whole bands career is documented. While having some real power to the melody, its lyrics are what make the song. The song resurfaces the same themes as Insomniac's 86 however this time around its about looking back 20 years on at all the peers and fans who abandoned Green Day because they were 'sellouts'. The band all work together and provide one of the strongest tracks on the whole album and the whole trilogy. 

The album comes to a close with the single Oh Love. Starting off with a giant stadium riff that climaxes with the operatic chorus, Oh Love is the one song off of UNO! that would fit right at home on 21st Century Breakdown. As a single the song doesn't make much sense. Its dull and drags on for just too long, however as an album closer the song prepares you for the next ride. The sexual tension is becoming unbearable at this point in Armstrong's lyrics. Its a bomb thats going to detonate. All leading up to the sequel, DOS!  

Go Download! 

Nuclear Family 

Stay The Night

Let Yourself Go

Troublemaker 

Rusty James

Overall, Green Day have achieved exactly what they laid out for UNO!. It gets you amped  excited  exhilarated  its so much energy that you just want to unleash it. UNO! differs drastically to 21st Century Breakdown and American Idiot and it truly shows that even at 25 years of being a band Green Day can still surprise their fans. UNO! has its dull moments however it is raw and full of energy and overall a very solid album.


 I give this album three stars out of five. 

Now we are ready for the party in DOS!