Carry Fire
by Robert Plant
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Oct 13, 2017
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. AllMusic
    Oct 13, 2017
    90
    Despite Plant's clear favor of the heart and head over primal pleasures, Carry Fire retains a visceral kick, because the singer/songwriter understands the transportive power of music, how the old can seem new when seen with a different light.
  2. Uncut
    Oct 12, 2017
    90
    The rootsy exuberance of Lullaby giving way to a mixture of romantic longing and social commentary. [Nov 2017, p.22]
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  3. American Songwriter
    Oct 12, 2017
    90
    Plant continues down his remarkably innovative path on the combustible Carry Fire, further expanding an already eclectic, forward-thinking solo career and creating an artistic, often edgy persona largely removed from past glories many younger fans may not even be familiar with.
  5. Slant Magazine
    Oct 12, 2017
    90
    The album's roots go back to Zeppelin's immersion in English folk and American blues, but here Plant displays everything he’s learned along the way; Carry Fire's sophistication and mystique place it among the most ambitious and evocative albums of his legendary career.
  6. Under The Radar
    Nov 7, 2017
    80
    Each of Plant's albums are distinctly different from the others (a tradition that started in Led Zeppelin). On this self-produced triumph, Plant finds fresh ways to present his voice and express his venerable perspective.
  7. Q Magazine
    Oct 24, 2017
    80
    Where The May Queen plugs into a strain of joyous psychedelic folk that owes much to the 1660s as the 1960s, the stark desert blues of the title track showcases Plant's love of North African music, not to mention a voice that's been beautifully weathered by the elements. Who needs a Zeppelin reunion anyway? [Dec 2017, p.112]
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  8. Clash Music
    Oct 18, 2017
    80
    While Carry Fire showcases some of Plant’s best and most confessional lyricism, there’s no denying that this is an album that stands out most for its lusciously complex musical structures and influences, allowing for it to purvey an other-worldly quality.
  9. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 16, 2017
    80
    His 11th solo album doesn’t deviate wildly in tone from 2014’s Lullaby and ... the Ceaseless Roar. He’s backed once again by the Sensational Space Shifters, who artfully flesh out the rock and folk elements with splashes of bendir, oud and djembe.
  10. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 13, 2017
    80
    With the skirling, Arabic-tinged drone-rock textures of his band The Space Shifters augmented by cello and Seth Lakeman’s violin, the album’s miasmic charm imbues even the rockabilly standard “Bluebirds Over The Mountain” with new, mysterious depths.
  11. PopMatters
    Oct 13, 2017
    80
    Carry Fire is an excellent example of a legendary rock star who no longer needs to prove anything yet still refuses to phone it in.
  12. Record Collector
    Oct 12, 2017
    80
    Singer and band are in perfect synch throughout, the benefits of a lengthy and approaching telepathic relationship obvious for all to hear.
  13. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 12, 2017
    80
    The truth is that Carry Fire is about as good an album as we could reasonably expect from him in 2017.
  14. Paste Magazine
    Oct 17, 2017
    78
    Although Carry Fire seemingly follows the same formula as his previous effort with the Space Shifters, 2014’s Lullaby and…The Ceaseless Roar, his sound is ever-changing, experimenting with the science of otherworldly instrumentation.
  15. Exclaim
    Oct 12, 2017
    70
    There is certainly plenty here to explore and enjoy on Carry Fire, but a sparser and more melodic approach next time out would be welcome.
  16. Mojo
    Oct 12, 2017
    60
    For Carry Fire, Plant has written Lion In Winter love songs. [Nov 2017, p.96]
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Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. perli
    Nov 11, 2017
    10
    Robert Plant is getting more mellow with the years, and I like it. Love his melodies, harmonies and mesmerizing rhythms, with occasional wellRobert Plant is getting more mellow with the years, and I like it. Love his melodies, harmonies and mesmerizing rhythms, with occasional well placed dissonances. He has a group of excellent musicians, mixing electric and acoustic guitars, the latter sound more in English folk tradition, with occasional addition of violin and some more exotic instruments. The music is rich and complex, and has a kind of organic, natural, unforced feel of spontaneously emerging from great band making music together. The composition of the album works with its own ups and downs, but if I have to chose my preferred songs are Carry Fire, Bones of Saints, Dance with you tonight, and The May Queen. A solid 9, but I'll give it a 10 because of a troll down there.… Full Review »
  2. graablikk
    Dec 21, 2017
    9
    This is a good piece of real music, communion of wonderful musicians, and as such is scarce. One may not like it but must appreciate.
  3. juliel63
    Dec 16, 2017
    10
    Ill give it a 10! Its not perfect, but no album is. It has some great songs. Robert has learned to use his voice and music in an enchantingIll give it a 10! Its not perfect, but no album is. It has some great songs. Robert has learned to use his voice and music in an enchanting way. he has taken all the thingsI have always loved about him and Led Zep and gone next level. He gets it!! Some of these songs are amazing and brilliant but they are all good. No need to fast forward to the epic songs.. Robert Plant is aging like a fine wine.. This album is a gem… Full Review »
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