Band of Joy
by Robert Plant
  • Record Label: Rounder
  • Release Date: Sep 14, 2010
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. The Guardian
    100
    It's marked by the fresh excitement of mapping out new territory rather than the more craven pleasure of wallowing in nostalgia: an object lesson in the value of not giving people what they want.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Robert Plant sounds vocally reenergized on this covers-heavy follow-up to his Grammy-winning Alison Krauss collaboration, Raising Sand.
  3. Dot Music
    90
    The suspicion lingers that Band Of Joy will be remembered more fondly than its wonderful predecessor.
  5. BBC Music
    90
    Clearly neither advancing age nor years of unabated success have deprived Plant of either his constant appetite for challenge or his ability to deliver in a cogent, credible and thoroughly convincing fashion.
  6. musicOMH.com
    90
    Where its predecessor found Plant operating in a finely-tuned genre, Band Of Joy gives him an opportunity to explore his influences, and to colour a few choice odds and ends from the rock 'n' roll canon with his indelible mark.
  7. AllMusic
    90
    It's as a joyous a record as you'll ever hear, a testament that the power of music lies not in its writing but in its performance.
  8. Billboard.com
    86
    Plant has steadfastly resisted a return to the Zep fold; Band of Joy makes us glad for that.
  9. The A.V. Club
    83
    What was once Plant's bold reclamation of self has become a little pat, but it's hard to complain about the predictability of Band Of Joy when the songs sound so good, with their softly sawing guitars, syncopated rhythms, and voices rising from the fuzz, strong and sure.
  10. Country Weekly
    Jan 10, 2011
    80
    While touching upon Led Zep's more pastoral moments and Raising Sand's rootsy variety, Robert avoids rehashing his former glories.
  11. Spin
    80
    "Satan, your kingdom must come down," Plant croons on the penultimate track. Take that, Jimmy Page.
  12. Q Magazine
    80
    Band Of Joy is a good place for him to stay a little longer. [Oct 2010, p.114]
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  13. Mojo
    80
    It all adds up to more willful magic from Plant. [Oct. 2010, p. 94]
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  14. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    80
    In the end, Plant sounds more comfortable in this genre than he has on any of his past solo albums.
  15. Uncut
    80
    It's the sound of a man confronting his own inevitable end with humour and dignity. Let's hope he doesn't move on any time soon. As band OF Joy proves, this particular wellspring is far from dry. [Oct 2010, p.82]
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  16. PopMatters
    80
    Band of Joy, by both reaching back and by yearning for a decorous new future, is an album that matters.
  17. Boston Globe
    80
    Co-produced by Plant and critically revered singer-songwriter-guitarist Buddy Miller, Joy is a mostly covers grab bag stitched together by Plant's sweetly urgent croon and finely crafted layers of sepia-toned instrumentation and vocals.
  18. Chicago Tribune
    75
    If Plant does nothing more on this album than draw attention to that Duluth, Minn., trio's music, he deserves praise.
  19. Rolling Stone
    70
    This is a record primarily about loss and time's march, and Plant sings with gravity, working his middle range.
  20. NOW Magazine
    60
    It's nice that he's managed to keep things tasteful, but instead of quiet intensity, it comes across more as overly cautious and timid – not exactly what he was aiming for.
  21. Kerrang!
    60
    An album of blues covers that's beautifully mellow and endearingly warm. [25 Sep 2010, p.52]
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  22. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    Band Of Joy is an essential purchase... if your dad is having a birthday this month.
  23. Austin Chronicle
    Jan 3, 2011
    40
    Without co-star Alison Krauss or marquee Texan producer T Bone Burnett, Robert Plant's latest solo outing suffers the expected sequel slump.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best Album of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. MikeColina
    Dec 9, 2010
    6
    Robert´s Plant new collection of songs, gives a recognition to his early influences and shows us how diverse and powerful hisRobert´s Plant new collection of songs, gives a recognition to his early influences and shows us how diverse and powerful his voice is. He recruited people from Los Lobos and long experienced musicians that contribute as a solid base for the living legend voice, their spectrum goes from country to R&R and into soul, and although he´s not singing those high notes from decades ago he stills projects and provokes a reaction of joy to the listener . A non-pretentious enjoyable album… Full Review »
  2. Zingari
    Nov 6, 2010
    8
    Fresh and exciting return to form, and eclipses Raising Sand in the breadth of its influences. Plenty of old school rock n roll is drawn on,Fresh and exciting return to form, and eclipses Raising Sand in the breadth of its influences. Plenty of old school rock n roll is drawn on, as well as bluegrass, blues, and Plant's own background. He still sounds fresh and excited by the opportunities music affords him, and that vigour draws the backing musicians along with him, effortlessly.… Full Review »
  3. pseudocynic
    Sep 26, 2010
    9
    Extending the vibe of his last recording with Alison Krauss on "Raising Sand", Band of Joy is a fluid, if unusual, synthesis of rock andExtending the vibe of his last recording with Alison Krauss on "Raising Sand", Band of Joy is a fluid, if unusual, synthesis of rock and bluegrass. Accompanied by an especially talented group of musicians including Buddy Miller, Darrell Scott and Patty Griffin this effort has all the hallmarks of Plant's previous solo recordings but still sounds fresh and new. Even at 62, Plant isn't afraid to explore new horizons.… Full Review »
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