MOG Editorial Review

Named after the band he had before finding fame with Led Zeppelin, Band of Joy is an album that features Robert Plant rediscovering his youthful self. Those looking for Plant to continue Zeppelin's hard rock ways will be a little confused initially, but even rockers will be pleasantly surprised to see Plant's gentle, rootsy side, embracing folk with the occasional rock and roll element. This is a collection with more in common with his Allison Krauss collaboration than any of his older output, and even a cover of Low's "Monkey" reminds you why that particular duets album was such a revelation in the first place. Even if it's only for 12 tracks, Band of Joy will make you thankful that Plant has included us on a 12 track trip down memory lane.