The Thunderthief
The follow-up to his 1999 solo album,Zooma,The Thunderthiefis a soaring testimony to formerLed Zeppelinbassist John Paul Jones's multi-instrumental prowess. His label boss,Robert Fripp, adds his unmistakable anguished guitar to the opening "Leafy Meadows," but mostly Jones steers the album by playing guitars, basses, mandolins, autoharp, koto, ukulele, and keyboards. He covers a wide stylistic range, from the Cockney-voiced punk pastiche "Angry Angry" to the back-to-nature musing of "Ice Fishing at Night." The pulverizing "Shibuya Bop" highlights his mastery as an arranger, and the closing "Freedom Song" is a consummate blend of English and traditional Japanese influences. Led Zep fans and admirers of intelligent prog-rock will find their curiosity handsomely rewarded.--Gavin Martin