Ecomium

A Tribute to Led Zeppelin (Atlantic)
by Joe Hacking

Led Zeppelin: The Overlords of rock and roll. They were the perfect combination of monstrous guitars and unbridled experimentation. As Henry Rollins says in the liner notes, “There is no band playing today that could stand up to them. No way. Forget it.”

This is the big-buck entry in the tribute CD market. There are some big names on Encomium doing some great stuff. The best tracks re-work the song in an interesting way or at least capture the spirit of the original. 4 Non-Blondes‘ “Misty Mountain Hop,” plays big and anthemic. Hootie & the Blowfish lay down a bluegrassy “Hey Hey What Can I Do” that sounds correct. Cracker crank out a nicely disenfranchised “Good Times Bad Times.” Helmet, with David Yow on vocals, turn “Custard Pie” into a chaotic, humorous, desperate, sexual plea. Sheryl Crow‘s “D’yer Mak’er” is one of the greatest covers on the whole disc, but the Rollins Band cover of “Four Sticks” is the most intense. Worth the price of the CD alone.

But beware: Duran Duran do a drippy “Thank You,” Blind Melon mutilate “Out On The Tiles” and Tori Amos & Robert Plant turn “Down By The Seaside” into a funeral march. Otherwise, pick it up!