GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES

"Good Times Bad Times" opens with 2 massive power chords, punching right at you. The song is probably more for electric guitarists, but you can still definitely appreciate the power and drive behind it - like an early punk rock song, just breaking through the ethereal wispiness of the late 60s. The lyrics and chords from Jonesy and Page, along with Robert Plant's usual wailing, creates such an indescribable atmosphere. The track is short and sweet from start to premature end, and that guitar solo is just blazing and alive. So youthful and in-your-face. Overall an outstanding single.

"Communication Breakdown" is the B-side of this single, perhaps the better song, because it has all of the well thought-out songwriting techniques as "Good Times" but attacks you even more, with Page's abominable chugging riff leading into a classic twist on the blues as heard in the ever-building chorus, until Jimmy just lets rip in the solo. Completely insane, and the funnest thing ever to play along to. The chromatic ascents and 2-tone bends, along with the short-lived retreat to the major scale from the blues illustrates the ever-present sexuality and primal sound from Jimmy and the band. The whole band plays as one beautifully, unimprovable to my knowledge, and probably creates my all-time favourite Led Zep song, with "Good Times Bad Times" not far behind.

If I could own one single, or even any 5 minutes of musical history, this would be it. Just absolute perfection.