LED ZEPPELIN

The self titled debut album from Led Zeppelin was a real revelation when it was released in 1969. Even though it is basically blues rock there´s a heavy edge to their music that was not something you heard everyday back then. In addition to that Led Zeppelin consisted of four outstanding musicians that made great music. Their songs are very memorable. Led Zeppelin reached legendary status with their first four albums who are all considered rock classics today. This debut was a good start for the band and it´s a favorite of mine from Led Zeppelin.

Good Times, Bad Times starts the album with some happy rocking. It´s a great song that I always enjoy. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You is a very beatiful song even though the lyrics like most Led Zeppelin lyrics are basic blues rain rhymes with pain lyrics and quite frankly I never found them very exciting. They suit the blues rocking music though. There are lots of beautiful acoustic guitar in Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You. You Shook Me is a blues cover and even though it´s well played it´s a bit too slow and long for my taste. Then comes one of the highlights of the album Dazed And Confused which is such a great song. It´s actually pretty heavy. A clear favorite for me here on this album.

Your Time Is Gonna Come has a great vers but a horrible chorus that I have never enjoyed. Black Mountain Side shows the eastern influences that were very popular back then. It´s a kind of stoned song. Communication breakdown is a great song. Very energetic and almost heavy. Paranoid from Black Sabbath is definitely inspired by Communication breakdown. I Can't Quit You Baby is as You Shook Me a blues cover and as with that one I Can't Quit You Baby is a good song allthough I can´t say that I enjoy basic blues much. The album ends with How Many More Times which is one of my favorite songs on the album. Heavy and brilliantly composed.

The musicianship is outstanding. Robert Plant´s emotional singing and his screaming and moaning, Jimmy Page´s razor sharp bluesy riffing and beautiful soloing, John Paul Jones´s intelligent basslines and occasional organ and John Bonham´s hard hitting drumming. The interplay between these four musicians was brilliant and more than one time on this album I´m afraid it´s gonna catch fire.

The production is good for the time and IMO it´s actually one of the best productions Led Zeppelin ever had.

This is a classic album and to many people this will be a sure 5 star album but I think there are a few flaws on the album that takes away the masterpiece status. I find it essential that you have at least listened to this album though and my rating will be 4 stars. Excellent music.