Either a lengthy EP or a short full-length depending on how you look at it, this CD consists entirely of
Led Zeppelin
covers, reverently done yet not likely to be mistaken for the originals. The first five songs are played hard and heavy in
Coalesce
's pummeling
metalcore
style, peaking with a ferocious version of
"Black Dog,"
spiced up with some of the band's trademark
math metal
rhythms. Frontman
Sean Ingram
handles the lead vocals in his typically caustic, bellowing roar, with
Matt Pryor
from
emo-pop
band
the Get Up Kids
chiming in on the melodic sections in his regular voice -- in other words, no
Robert Plant
impersonations here! The CD closes with two acoustic guitar-based ballads,
"That's the Way"
and
"Thank You,"
giving some idea of what
Zeppelin
might have sounded like as sensitive Middle American post-adolescents. The vocals, done completely clean, are a little shaky on these tunes and sometimes veer off key, but somehow they work in this context.
fans might be horrified at the liberties
takes here, but ultimately the band has succeeded at breathing new life into some heavily worn (though still classic) songs. (
listeners, on the other hand, will note this album as a precursor to the subsequent
0:12 Revolution in Just Listening
, which also has its share of heavy
blues
-based
rock
grooves.) In any case, this is a fun disc, and one meant to be played loud. ~ William York