Shaken ’n’ Stirred

While some of Shaken 'N Stirred's makeup includes typical keyboard pop/rock, there's still plenty of variance, both vocally and otherwise, to keep the album from going under. The album cracked the Top 20 in the U.S. and in Britain thanks to the keen finesse of "Little by Little," which spreads out Plant's vocal puissance across an attractive rhythm. This time around, drummer Richard Hayward from Little Feat adds some percussive texture to a mixture of world beats, unconventional melodies and rhythms, and a number of other creative and colorful musical nuances. Some of the music sounds a little foreign and profound at first, but efforts like "Hip to Hoo" and "Kallalou" grow to be impressive, beyond-the-norm-styled numbers after a few listens. Plant's decision to create a non-commercial type of rock album proved that he could step outside his typical rock & roll roots and still make some appealing music, yet many fans found the album to be too dense and too experimental upon its initial release. Plant's voguish character is still ingrained throughout the tracks, and his tangents aren't so overwhelming that they throw his material in an altogether complete direction. If anything, the songs on Shaken 'N Stirred are an inspiring venture for Plant, as he manages to fulfill his slightly off-centered approach with some interesting and catchy results. ~ Mike DeGagne