The news coming loud and clear across the wires is that Led Zeppelin is not only planning to tour but also to record.  And it will likely be without Robert Plant.  Now that there is an air of something legitimate (the story contains quotes from John Paul Jones), it is now time to make yourselves, as fans, heard.   I can understand Robert Plant might be feeling some ambivalence concerning this issue but if Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones are pressing forward with an open invitation to Robert, then Robert SHOULD do it.  If not for himself, then for the fans throughout the ages.  When Led Zeppelin takes the stage and Robert Plant is not singing those songs, then it is he (Plant) who must be blamed.  If the band records an album under the Led Zeppelin name and he is not on it, then it is he who is to blame.

I understand that John Bonham is not on the skins but his son is (as far as I know) and that would please his father to no end, no doubt.  The legacy is not there but it isn’t compromised either.  But with a different singer than Robert Plant, well, that’s just compromise.  I do not blame either Page or Jones for wanting another crack at that rich legacy.  After all, Plant is not dead or unable to sing.  He is just being stubborn.  He is also being unfair to fans with his refusal. 

All of this could end up on the bright side and with a happy ending, with Plant relenting and doing that thing that will make him unbelievably rich not to mention giving all of them an incredible chance to do it once more.  With new music, too!!

This is my last time to comment on this matter.  Robert Plant will do what he wants.  If it was merely a point of Plant completing obligations, then the band should wait.  But it is likely that Robert just flat out doesn’t want to do it.

Robert, if it is the memory of the band’s last songs in their heyday is the thing that you don’t want to muddy, I can dig that.  But the boys ARE going out, so you need to put it all behind you and give us poor bastards a year or so of your life.  We’ll make it worth your while.  Besides, you have already done several shows with the band since your breakup so that doesn’t make an argument stick.

If Robert isn’t in the mix, then I guess I save 300 or more dollars because that’s an audience I won’t be in.

Ok, now I’m done.

I can begin to see the slowing down of music news as the Holidays approach.  It isn’t so much the Holidays that slow down the news; it’s the end of the year.  They have already pretty much announced the upcoming news for the rest of 2008.  They have a few pieces of news but labels generally do not like announcing 2009 January/February titles this early.  We’ll start announcing a few of those that we already know about after Thanksgiving.  Also, on Monday of next week, I will be reposting the Christmas post I made at the beginning of October as I’m receiving emails asking for reminders of some of those titles.

Today, we have four new reviews that include several just released titles.  Bloc Party has released their third album, Intimacy, while Rhino Records issues a 2CD Anthology for Ry Cooder called The UFO has Landed.  Also, there is the 5CD Box from Shout! Factory of collected audio tapes from Dr Hunter S Thompson.  The set is called The Gonzo Tapes.  James Hrivnak contributes a review of The Stills’ latest album, Oceans Must Rise.  His review of the album led me to their MySpace page and I find that I like them quite a bit.  When you read our reviews of bands that you’re unaware of, I strongly encourage you to visit those MySpace links to profile pages where you’ll get a good sampling of music that is representative of the band.

We have a new selection-post (see below) of Albums That You MUST Hear Before You Die!  I’m still getting them in the mail, which is fine.  We’ll just continue to post them until they are exhausted.  We do have a few that are monstrous lists.  We’ll post those in parts so as not to overwhelm you with music that you might be like to check out.

We’ll see you again on Friday – Halloween Day!!

[Note: For those that have been waiting for the SACDs of Paranoid (Black Sabbath) and Brain Salad Surgery (ELP), one of my old buddies, Bill, informs me that Amazon has pronounced a delay in shipment. Checking on the Amazon site, they now state that shipping can take as long as 7 weeks. YIKES!! Of course, those of you who have pre-ordered already know of this painful delay. All I can say is 'Hang in there, folks.']

For the long promised Albums You MUST Hear Before You Die!, I will be posting a letter each post until exhausted (there were only 17 emails).  Some were only a few titles, some only one.  But there were more than a few that were massive and a few extended, well-detailed lists.  I’ll post them as I received them.  Today, I have a well thought out 'tick-off' list of 10 albums. Thanks to Joe for his contribution.

1. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - Black Sabbath
2. Bridge Over Troubled Waters - Simon and Garfunkel
3. To Our Children's Children's Children - Moody Blues
4. Late for the Sky - Jackson Browne
5. Diary of a Madman- Ozzy Osbourne
6. Music for the Masses - Depeche Mode
7. The Seer - Big Country
8. Ride The Lightning - Metallica
9. Aion - Dead Can Dance
10. Signals - Rush

If you have missed the last As The Disc Spins (updated), check it out here.

To access the previous site and catch up, click here.

The coming LPs for M83 have had their release dates changed.  Originally scheduled for November 11, all are now planned for November 25.  Those titles include Before the Dawn Heals Us (2LP/CD); Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost Ghosts (2LP/CD); Digital Shades, Volume 1 (LP/CD); M83 (2LP/CD); and Saturdays=Youth (2LP/CD).  They are arriving from Mute Records.

Capitol Records will release the debut, self-titled album from Avant scheduling for December 9.

Blue Note Records will release the LP version of Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future from The Bird and the Bee.  The LP is planned for December 23 and will precede the CD release, which is planned for January 27.

I caught a viewing of Synecdoche, New York, the new movie directed by writer Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) this weekend.  While I thoroughly enjoyed the film, there are those who will hate it.  It’s just one of those ‘love it/hate it’ films with no in-between.  Regardless, the score from that film will be coming from Lakeshore Records on November 11. 

If you’re looking for vinyl LP from Peter Tosh, his Legalize It is scheduled for November 11 by Legacy.

RCA and Red Ink Records will release vinyl LP editions of a few Ray LaMontagne titles.  These include Till the Sun Turns Black, and Trouble, both planned for November 25.

Remember that the LP reissue of catalogue titles from Motley Crue is set for November 25.  These reissues will include Dr Feelgood; Girls, Girls, Girls; Saints of Los Angeles; Shout at the Devil; Theatre of Pain; and Too Fast for Love.  All are being reissued from Motley Crue’s new label venture, Motley Crue Records.

Eleven Seven Music will release a Live EP called Live is Beautiful, as well as The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack, both coming from Sixx AM.  Those are pegged for November 11.

Stoopid Records will release Longest Barrel Ride/Slightly Stoopid from the band, Slightly Stoopid.  That mix is scheduled for November 25.

MRI Records will release a vinyl LP version of If the World Was You from JD Souther, who has embarked on a tour.  The LP release is expected for November 25.

Columbia Records will release a vinyl LP reissue of Child is Father to the Man from Blood, Sweat and Tears.  It is penciled in for December 9.

Epic will release a vinyl LP version of At Budokan by Cheap Trick, planning it for December 9.

More vinyl!  LPs are being reissued for Head Hunters, and Thrust (Herbie Hancock), Remixed and Reimagined (Billie Holiday), Riddle Box (Insane Clown Posse), Social Distortion (Social Distortion), Surfing With the Alien (Joe Satriani), Passion and Warfare (Steve Vai), and Elvis Presley (Elvis Presley).  All of these re-releases are expected on December 9.

December 9 will also bring vinyl LP re-releases for Weather Report (Heavy Weather), and a series of four Miles Davis titles that include Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way, Nefertiti, and Sketches of Spain.

Bloc Party left a lasting impression with their first album, 2005's extraordinary Silent Alarm. It was followed up with an album that some enjoyed but many more were shocked by. However, lost ground was made up by this new album, Intimacy, with its wide selection of excellent songs. Welcome back, Bloc Party.

Ry Cooder's importance is underscored by the release of this 2CD Anthology, The UFO Has Landed. There are many representative songs within that make this package a thanksful one.

The good Doctor has left behind some endearing and fascinating legacies that will live forver. This Box from Shout! Factory is filled with the musings and thoughts of Hunter S Thompson, all spoken, all filled with insight. The Gonzo Tapes is a 5-disc offering that will have you smiling...and chuckling...and laughing. Great stuff!