LED ZEPPELIN IV

Undoubtely the best Led Zeppelin album, "IV" also is widely regarded as one of the best (if not the best) rock album ever released. Well, while I consider it to be, indeed, the best piece Zeppelin ever released, the title of "best rock album ever" is a bit exaggerated. I could easily name thousands of rock albums better than this one. Anyways, let's get to the description and analysis of "IV".

The album begins with "Black Dog", a rocker featuring a powerful and catchy main riff. It's no "Good Times, Bad Times", but a nice song, nevertheless. Plant's vocal performance is pretty good too, he delivers his best performance on this record, indeed. While I'm not a big fan of his work and voice, I have to recognize that he reached his peak during the recording of "IV". Jimmy Page's catchy riffs are also all over the place, from the main riff of the afore-mentioned "Black Dog" to the first one on "Four Sticks", expect some good riffing indeed. I don't consider him the guitar monster many say he is, though.

The bass is average during most of the times and the same thing goes to the drumming. I never understood why Bonham is worshipped by so many drummers out there, his drumming is pretty simple most of the times and not that original. "When the Levee Breaks", drums-wise, is amazing though, a song that may teach you that you don't need to use thirty fast fills on a song to deliver a good drum performance.

Anyways, after "Black Dog", "Rock and Roll" kicks in, being a very dynamic song, fast and energic. Great main riff, again. After those two rockers is "The Battle of Evermore" a Lord of the Rings-themed song. This song is simply amazing, one of the best of the entire album, featuring some beautiful acoustic lines and the participation of a female singer, who gives an even more melodic edge to the song. The album continues with the famous "Stairway to Heaven", the most well-known Led Zeppelin song ever. I have to admit it is a good track, but, again, not as good as the others say. It is composed of a mellow section, which lasts until the drums kick in, leading us to slightly heavier part. The climax of the song is its solo, which is extremely melodic and catchy. Robert Plant's vocal performance is another highlight.

Unfortunately, the second side of "IV" really brings it down, mainly because of the trilogy of filers "Four Sticks-Going to California-Misty Mountain Hop". Despite all of them contain some good elements, they all can be labeled as fillers easily. The best of the three is "Four Sticks", thanks to the drumming and main riff, but its still is a weak track. Fortunately, "When the Levee Breaks" is stronger and probably my personal favourite tune out of this album. The track is pretty heavy (not as heavy as, say, anything Black Sabbath, an infinitely better band, was putting out at this point, but still heavy), with the drums assuming the main role. After a generic first section, there's a little break where another riff picks up, driving to the song to a fantastic part, where Plant's vocals really shine. An excellent closer, that's for sure.

So, all in all, "IV" absolutely deserves 4 stars, an enjoyable album, unfortunately also containing some fillers. Absolutely worth listening, if you like classic/hard rock or even proto-heavy metal.

Best moments of the CD: -the solo of "Stairway to Heaven". -the beginning of "When the Levee Breaks". -the chorus of "The Battle of Evermore".