Poppn’ Up : Zeppelin Classics Endure in Different Hands

*** ,VARIOUS ARTISTS, “Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin”

Atlantic For all of Led Zeppelin’s bombast, it’s the band’s subtler underpinnings that make it so enduring. It’s these jazzy, poetic and ethereal shadings that the faithful toy with here, achieving some striking results.

In the hands of Duran Duran, “Thank You” becomes a dreamy pop ballad, while Cracker infuses “Good Times Bad Times” with a Kinks-style, ‘60s-pop flair and Sheryl Crow gives “D’yer Mak’er” a sly, waif-like appeal. Helmet’s stark interpretation of “Custard Pie”--with the lascivious blathering of Jesus Lizard frontman David Yow--is a piece of inspired madness.

Throughout the album, even on the weaker tracks, the strength of the songs remains the same.