LED ZEPPELIN IV

Led Zeppelin IV is the fourth album from british bluesy hard rock act Led Zeppelin. I was very happy about Led Zeppelin III because it´s such a varied and different album compared to the two first albums from Led Zeppelin ( which are fantasistic in their own regard). Led Zeppelin IV takes a bit from all three predecessors and then builds some new tricks into their sound.

The album has both hard rocking songs like Black Dog and Rock and Roll, folky songs like The Battle of Evermore ( with a vocal guest appearance from Sandy Denny) and the power ballad evergreen Stairway to Heaven. All songs on the album are excellent even though I find When the Levee Breaks to be a bit too repetitive.

The musicianship is excellent. Robert Plant with his razor sharp vocals are as usual in fine form while we get to hear all of the qualities Jimmy Page has. From beautiful acoustic guitar pieces to electrified bluesy hard rock riffs. The rythm section is as always hard hitting and enjoyable. John Paul Jones being the sophisticated of the two while John Bonham at times resembles Animal from Muppet Show because of his hard hitting attack. He was never a subtle drummer, but there was really no need to be one in Led Zeppelin.

The production is great. It´s only beaten by the excellent production on Led Zeppelin III.

I got Led Zeppelin IV many years after the first three albums from the band and it has never meant as much to me as those three albums. But putting things right this album is just as good and at times maybe a bit more accomplished than those three albums. It certainly deserves a 4 star rating from me. This is a true rock classic.