Review Summary: Now and then, you'll come across a true hidden gem.
"Plant" is one of them... With laid-back grooves, casual melodies - and a damn good singer to boot - it's resonant of all of its main influences: Cream, Led Zep, Deep Purple, Black Country Communion.
"Plant" is an 8-track album that'll have you dancing all summer. The meaning of the title is literal: The desire to plant roots and grow; but it's also possibly a nod to Zeppelin's lead singer, Robert Plant. Overall, the album emphasizes themes of hope and love.
*** Songs ***
Have You Ever opens with a funky, shuffled groove - reminiscent of the early days of Cream. The vocals are bluesy to match and from the first track onwards you'll note the singer's jazzy influences. Neatly executed drum fills, great beat with a unique twist. Clear, and well defined.
Today, Tomorrow is pensive, thoughtful, and melancholic. The keys are surprisingly thoughtful, and the text is a standout ode to love and loss.
Tales Of Blind Coffee Bread Joe starts with a heavy riff. It slides along with a loose, catchy rhythm, and it's upbeat and powerful on top.
Plant is a feel-good song if there ever was one. Unmistakeably the high point of the album, it's flower power to a T. Lots of improvised solos and a general free-form nature; it'll take you to Woodstock if you've never been.
Valley Of My Mind hits you in the face with a four-on-the-floor drum beat and heavy guitar riffs. It's played at an accessible pace with great cohesion throughout.
BackCountry Exile is very bluesy with a touch of country rock. Rhythmically, it's very central, and the guitar riffs have a lot of tasty tangs to them. It's got a slight funk edge that really lifts the theme of the whole song.
Time Will Tell is a heavy funk groove from the get-go. It's powerful and emphatic and psychedelic. There's a fantastic time change in the middle before the song transitions right back to its high power for the outro.
Gardens Of Marrakesh is psychedelic and mysterious, with a long, extended intro. There are hints of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" throughout the track - and when the drop hits, the song kicks into overdrive before receding into a melancholic outro. A brilliant, heady, trippy ending to a fantastic album.
10/10
For fans of the 60s and 70s - Led Zeppelin, Cream, Eric Clapton, Deep Purple.
