RATINGS:
LED ZEPPELIN:
1.LED ZEPPELIN (GOOD) Released in 1969, this album is the first of several great and highly influential
albums this band was to create. In the 1980's literally hundreds of bands attempted to
imitate Led Zeppelin. Most of these imitators were unsuccessful. They failed to copy
the subtle complexities that made Led Zeppelin legendary. The artistry and vision of this
great British band can be clearly heard on their debut. Jimmy Page uses American
blues influences to create a entirely new sound of guitar which later served as the model
for the creation of hard rock and heavy metal. Page's blues guitar comes thundering down
in "How Many More Times." "Communication Breakdown" is a hard-rockin' classic.
"Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" is a song of incredible acoustic range. "Dazed and
Confused" is one of the band's finest tunes.
2.LED ZEPPELIN 2 (EXCELLENT) Also released in 1969, Led Zeppelin 2 cemented Led Zeppelin's position
as the very definition of a rock band. Their huge hit "Whole Lotta Love" became an
instant fan favorite. Every single song on this album is a work of genius. It was with this
album that Page became the model of a rock guitarist, Plant became a model of the rock
vocalist, and Bonham became the model of a rock drummer. All four members of the
band had great senses for the timing, dynamics, and contrasts of the music. Their
combined talents provide awesome power and rhythm to every song. A great example of
this band's extensive talent is the song "Ramble On." Of course, this album also contains
the legendary drum solo of Bonham, "Moby Dick."
3.LED ZEPPELIN 3 (FAIR) Released in 1970, this album was somewhat disappointing to the Led Zeppelin
fans who had come to expect the thunderous sounds heard on 1 and 2. Led Zeppelin 3 is
mostly a folkish acoustic album. "Gallows Pole" and "Out on the Tiles" are two of the
best selections on this album. While this album doesn't pack the same punch as 1 and 2, it
is an important foundation for the development of one of the most momentous rock
albums of all time: the band's fourth album. "Immigrant Song" provided an early glimpse
into the amazing work which would soon follow.
4.UNTITLED (A.K.A. LED ZEPPELIN 4) (EXCELLENT) Released in 1971, This album is not only the best Led Zeppelin Album,
but it is also one of the greatest rock albums ever made. "Black Dog" is a technical
masterpiece. "Rock and Roll" is provides a strong dose of unabashed musical power.
"The Battle of Evermore" is a beautiful song of medieval fantasy. "Stairway to Heaven"
is a timeless classic which ingeniously blends acoustic and electric guitar together. "Misty
Mountain Hop" is a hippie anthem of top order. "Four Sticks" shows off Bonham's
drumming genius. "Going to California" is full of flair. Finally, "When the Levee Breaks"
is a harmonious masterpiece.
5.HOUSES OF THE HOLY (EXCELLENT) Released in 1973, Houses of the Holy is a glorious follow-up to the
band's crowning achievement. Songs like "The Song Remains the Same," "Dancing
Days," "The Ocean," and "Over the Hills and Far Away" sound very similar to the songs
on the fourth album. Yet, this album also extends the bands range with the pink-floydish
"No Quarter" and the reggae-inspired "D'Yer Mak'er" (pronounced JA-MAI-CA, and is short for "Did you make her?")The name alludes to the fact that "D'Yer Mak'er" is an attempt at reggae by a band not very connected to the Jamaican style of music except for what they heard from reggae acts like Bob Marley. The English expression "Did you make her" comes out sounding like "Jamaica" when spoken quickly with an English accent. The band thus thought it was a very fitting name considering the song was Jamaican music played with the band's own type of "English accent" in the music.
6.PHYSICAL GRAFFITI (EXCELLENT) Released in 1975, this double album extends the band's range even
further. This album is grand in scale. It has several seven-plus-minute songs of which the
best is the epic "Kashmir" which was one of the band's own favorites. Both parts of this
double album are strong all the way through from the swinging sounds of "Custard Pie" to
the rockin' sounds of "Sick Again." This double album also contains plenty of acoustic
folk rhythms like "Black Country Woman." Physical Graffiti is probably the most diverse
of all the band's albums.
7.PRESENCE (FAIR) Released in 1976, Presence is a fine album for Page whose guitar skills continue
to grow here. The rest of the band, however, sounds less than inspired. Many of
the songs sound somewhat rushed and unfocused. If for no other reason, Presence is
worth checking out for some of the heaviest guitar work Page did with Led
Zeppelin on the songs "Achilles Last Stand" and "Nobody's Fault but Mine."
8.IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR (FAIR) Released in 1979, This album is probably the worst of Led Zeppelin's offerings.
Whereas Presence showed another advancement in Page's guitar, his wonderful guitar
work is all but absent in this album. In Through the Out Door seems to rely more on
keyboards and vocals than on the famous Led Zeppelin guitar and drums. "In the
Evening" is the best selection on the album. "All my Love" is a magnificent ballad. Most
of the rest of the album falls below Led Zeppelin's high standards.
9.CODA (FAIR) Released in 1982, Coda is a tribute to John Bonham who died in 1980. This
album collects some previously unreleased studio outtakes. Since the songs on this album
are outtakes, most of them are less than spectacular. The final two songs on the album
are, however, a strong end to the Led Zeppelin era. "Bonzo's Montreux" showcases some
of John's remarkable talents. The heavy "Wearing and Tearing" is the best song on this
album.
10.NO QUARTER (PAGE AND PLANT UNLEDDED) (FAIR) Released in 1994, This album is a reunion of the two lead men in Led Zeppelin.
This album contains new versions of Led Zeppelin's old hits as well as a couple of
new songs. The songs are all meant to have an Egyptian sound. If anything, the sound on
this album is authentic. Page and Plant are accompanied by an actual Egyptian ensemble.
While the novelty of the Egyptian sound provides enjoyment, eventually one learns that
most of these Led Zeppelin classics sound better in the original, fully electric style.
11.REMASTERS (EXCELLENT) Released in 1990, This double album captures most of the bands best
songs on two CDs. While the idea of a "best of" album goes against the tradition of Led
Zeppelin being an album band rather than a singles band, this album has a near perfect
assortment of Zep tunes, all with top quality sound.
© 1997 t-specht@students.uiuc.edu
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