MUSIC REVIEWS: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Yelle

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Raising Sand
Rounder

Whodathunkit? Legendary Led Zeppelin cat-caller Robert Plant teaming up with bluegrass’s favorite daughter, Alison Krauss, to put out a blues-and bluegrass-inflected collection?

But, that’s just what the duo did, releasing Raising Sand, an album that proves something extraordinary can happen when vastly different musicians hook up and do what they do best: make sweet music.

For those familiar with Plant and Krauss, it may come as a wonderful surprise that their meeting produced a startlingly great result. In general, the songs that work best, like “Killing the Blues,” feature the duo’s flawless harmonization and, true to Plant’s repertoire, fantastical or romanticized lyrics.

However, the standout track is “Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us,” a bluegrass ballad so beautiful it’s hypnotic. Krauss’ vocals feature prominently on the track, which has a distinctive, almost exotic melody, and on which the instrumentalists stand back a bit, allowing the vocalists to shine.

–Gregory Hyman

Yelle
Pop Up
EMI France

Yelle’s spunky new album Pop Up is a poppy mélange of keyboards, beats, and even a few whistles. Many tracks are so retro 80s, others are slow and sweet, while the rest have a real energy to them backed by lyrics that are cheered rather than sung.

Although the album is sung entirely in French, the language is so smooth and pleasing to the ear that it doesn’t really matter what she’s singing. When listening to the faster tracks on this album, I imagine sassy models walking fiercely down a catwalk, their eyes shooting right through you as they whip around. On the slower tracks, I’m shopping in a trendy clothing store, looking over the colorful array of clothes. On the slowest of the tracks, I’m in a café and just reading quietly to myself. Well-arranged, diverse, and stylish, Yelle’s new album is certain to please.

–Christine Thelen

The Daily Shortlist March 19

Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan are The Gutter Twins. Photo Credit: Sam Holden

Location: East Village, NYC
Bands: The Gutter Twins + Great Northern
Show time: 7:00 PM
Venue: Webster Hall
Food: Minca
Drink: Common Ground
Miscellaneous: Beard Papa Sweets Cafe

Mark Lanegan has been working with everyone these days from the Foo Fighters to Queens of the Stone Age to Isobel Campbell, and now Greg Dulli, of Afghan Whigs fame as The Gutter Twins, playing gothic blues. Regardless of how odd that pairing may be, it will definitely sound amazing. Joining them are minimalist rockers Great Northern. If you’ve never been to Minca for dinner, go right now! This small noodle bar makes some amazing ramen noodles from scratch. Try the Minca Ramen, a mild broth with pork, chicken & dried seafood ($8.50). One of the newer bars in the East Village, Common Ground has a dark wood interior, a relaxed atmosphere, and excellent cocktails like the Blueberry Pie. If you like pastries filled with cream, check out Beard Papa Sweets Café. They offer cream fillings like earl grey, green tea, coffee, and the standard vanilla, chocolate, strawberry among others.