Robert Plant's Saving Grace has yielded an album that is equal parts fascinating and bewildering. When asked to describe their sound, Plant pokes fun at himself, calling it something that "hails from the west side of common sense". This understatement rings true, as he typically resists easy categorization or reliance on fan favorites.
Instead, Saving Grace takes shape around a diverse pool of musicians in Plant's Shropshire neighborhood. Matt Worley and Suzi Dian form the core of the band, with Worley handling multiple instruments, including multi-course accordion arrangements that add an unexpected depth to classic tracks like "Ramble On" and "Four Sticks".
This eclectic sound is balanced by a willingness for creative liberties, as evidenced by their rendition of Low's "Everybody's Song", alongside Moby Grape's '60s psych anthem "It's a Beautiful Day Today". In many cases, Plant takes a backseat to Worley and Dian, who benefit from his presence without relying on him to carry the spotlight. When asked about this setup, he admits that it's all about exploring potential – an approach evident in every rearranged Led Zeppelin track, where the low end is now anchored by a cello rather than a traditional bass.
The resulting album holds its own against expectations. Certain tracks exhibit eerie qualities, like Worley's mandolin adding clangorous textures to "As I Roved Out", while others lean towards exploration and muscular arrangements that showcase the band's individual talents. What becomes apparent is a genuine effort by each member of Saving Grace, with an end goal that transcends mere fan service or reliance on Plant's stature as a frontman.
Ultimately, this collaborative spirit yields music that sounds unforced yet deliberate – an authentic expression where no single voice dominates the mix.
Instead, Saving Grace takes shape around a diverse pool of musicians in Plant's Shropshire neighborhood. Matt Worley and Suzi Dian form the core of the band, with Worley handling multiple instruments, including multi-course accordion arrangements that add an unexpected depth to classic tracks like "Ramble On" and "Four Sticks".
This eclectic sound is balanced by a willingness for creative liberties, as evidenced by their rendition of Low's "Everybody's Song", alongside Moby Grape's '60s psych anthem "It's a Beautiful Day Today". In many cases, Plant takes a backseat to Worley and Dian, who benefit from his presence without relying on him to carry the spotlight. When asked about this setup, he admits that it's all about exploring potential – an approach evident in every rearranged Led Zeppelin track, where the low end is now anchored by a cello rather than a traditional bass.
The resulting album holds its own against expectations. Certain tracks exhibit eerie qualities, like Worley's mandolin adding clangorous textures to "As I Roved Out", while others lean towards exploration and muscular arrangements that showcase the band's individual talents. What becomes apparent is a genuine effort by each member of Saving Grace, with an end goal that transcends mere fan service or reliance on Plant's stature as a frontman.
Ultimately, this collaborative spirit yields music that sounds unforced yet deliberate – an authentic expression where no single voice dominates the mix.
The way they've got Matt Worley and Suzi Dian taking the reins is super cool, it's like they're really pushing the boundaries of what you'd expect from a Led Zeppelin reworking. I mean, who would've thought to put a cello in "Four Sticks"? 
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! It's like he's finally found people who can keep up with his creative energy 
The way Worley and Dian are able to hold their own alongside him is insane, it's like a breath of fresh air for the band. I mean, who needs to rely on old Zeppelin tracks when you've got talent like this? 
And the fact that they're not afraid to experiment with new sounds and arrangements is just genius. It's all about exploring potential, right? 
. I love how Matt Worley and Suzi Dian bring their own unique sounds to the table, and it really elevates the music 
. I'm so down for an album that feels authentic and less like a fan service record 
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. I love how Matt Worley's multi-instrumental skills add an extra layer to the tracks – that accordion arrangement on "Ramble On" is pure genius! 
It just goes to show that even with 50+ years of experience under his belt, Plant still has the courage to experiment.
. And you can hear that in every note – there's no trying too hard or relying on Plant's name recognition. It's just great music, plain and simple.
it's like they're pushing the boundaries of zeppelin's classic sound without feeling the need to recreate it. the accordion arrangements are genius btw 
i love how they take these old songs and turn them into something new, like a beautiful day today is so not your typical moby grape vibe 
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. I mean, who would've thought that a band featuring a bunch of Shropshire musicians would create something so unique and fascinating? The way they blend traditional instruments with some pretty trippy arrangements is straight up genius 
. I think what impresses me most is how unapologetic they are about taking risks and pushing boundaries, without trying to force it all back onto Plant's shoulders. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we've got this!" 
. It's about time someone showed Plant that he doesn't have to be the center of attention, but at the same time, it's kinda cool that he's not being a diva about it. I mean, who needs to be the star when you've got talented people around you who can carry the load? 
, while others showcase the individual talents of each band member in a beautiful way. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we can do this and it might just work!"