Sneak Peek Review of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss in Raising Sand

Robert Plant is best known for his time in the classic rock band Led Zeppelin. Alison Krauss has had a variety of hits in country music and bluegrass since the age of 16 starting in 1987. Put these two genius musicians together and you have a collection of story telling songs on Raising Sand.

Produced by T Bone Burnette, he brought songs to Plant and Krauss by little known writers such as the Everly Brothers, Townes Van Zandt, and Tom Waits. Plant also wrote on the record, including the song "Please Read The Letter"

Raising Sand starts off with "Rich Woman," not a strong kickoff to the alternative folk collection, but a solid rhythm to keep the listener hooked. As the song plays on, a vintage old fashioned arrangement is noticeable. "Killing The Blues" follows, here Robert and Alison combine their beautiful harmonizing voices. "Leaves were falling/ Just like embers.... They set us on fire/ Just like a movie," they intertwine with each other. The lyrics are almost generic and simple, but it's the simplicity that makes the record so enjoyable song by song.

That same sound is maintained throughout the entire record, but when "Polly Come Home" plays you can't help but fall prey to their magic. "He's been in my dreams/ And he knows all the ways of the wind/ Polly come home again/ Spread your wings to the wind," they sing.

"Gone, Gone, Gone" changes the pace a bit and brings an uptempo mix to the recording. They express their desire to leave the subject because they've been done wrong. Offering a chance to change their ways, Plant and Krauss make it clear they will be leaving. "Fortune Teller" is another uptempo arrangement, almost reminiscent of Robert Plant's roots, Led Zeppelin, as he switches out of the country tone being displayed so far throughout the LP.