LED ZEPPELIN IV

This album is frustrating. Personally the likes of 'Battle of Evermore', 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Going to California' demonstrate the maturation and near perfection of their acoustic sound, while songs like 'Four Sticks' and 'Misty Mountain Hop' revert back to the poorly constructed hard rock of their second album. The remaining songs: 'Black Dog', 'Rock n Roll' and 'When the Levee Breaks' are phenonmenally well realized examples of their electric sound at its best. So because of the weak parts towards the beginning of Side 2, this album receives 4 stars.

The album originally featured no writing on the sleeve, no band name, no title; all of which gained it the aptly named 'Untitled' pseudonym(among many others). The artwork is very appealing for this reason.

Now for the music itself. 'Rock n Roll' and 'Black Dog' are as I mentioned earlier the prototypical Led Zeppelin rock pieces, very energetic and catchy with strong playing from everyone in the band. 'The Battle of Evermore' is a favorite of mine, featuring Sandy Denny on vocals; and folks, she and Robert just harmonize so well. The lyrics cast light on a fantasy battle of some sort, I had a lengthy post in a forum concerning the absence of any direct correlation to the Lord of the Rings; nontheless they are among Robert's best.

And then comes 'Stairway to Heaven.' Robert's vocal delivery was never better, this is his crowning achievement. Nice use of that Spirit tune in the introduction...

The next two tracks aren't my cup of tea. 'Going to California' is. Beautiful use of mandolin and acoustic guitar: JPJ and Jimmy showing they can top their performance on 'That's the Way.' A great song for folkies. 'When the Levee Breaks' closes the album with a vengeance, Bonham's drums recorded in a stairwell and getting a wonderful sound. A great blues influenced piece and the best purely electric song on this album.

This is a strong album and right up there with III and Houses of the Holy. I advise starting here and then getting I and III. Enjoy!

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