LED ZEPPELIN

Anyways, this is Led Zeppelin's strongest effort by far and easily the strongest debut album I have ever heard from a band. It is musically brilliant, adventurous, catchy, guitar- driven effort that has captivated me for years. I think Led Zeppelin I is the best non-prog album of all times. You don't need to be complex in order to make good music. The musicians are extremely talented and work so well together, that most of these songs are timeless classics and even masterpieces. They not only show virtuosity and technical playing, but also surprisingly good songwriting and great melodies.

The album is also quite diverse. You have your catchy radio friendly rockers. Songs like Good Times Bad Times and Communication Breakdown are extremely accessible songs that don't lose their charm after dozens of listens. Especially Good Times/bad times, which successfully shows the talents of all musicians while being a perfect short song.

You also have your softer songs. Your Time is Gonna Come is a very accessible and radio friendly song dominated by poppish vocals, a chorus hook, acoustic guitars, and a gorgeous use of the hammond organ and especially the church organ when Jones plays his intro solo. Black Mountain Side follows it, a very interesting instrumental with great acoustic guitar playing. The absolute highlight however is "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You", one of the most beautiful ballads I have ever heard. The acoustic guitars, especially when overdubbed, are a work of genius and it is wonderful that the singer compliments it so perfectly with his youthful voice. The song is not just a ballad, it has heavy bursts of metal at points.

You also have the blues. You Shook me is a blues song that is based on a strong guitar riff, whch sets the rhythm for the song. The band plays solos here, Plant playing a beautiful melancholic harmonica solo, Jones playing an excellent organ solo, and Page stealing the show with a very powerful guitar solo that blows me away. I can't quit you Baby is more guitar oriented, being a showcase of Jimmy Page's abilities on his guitar. I can tell you that this song has very impressive guitar work.

The most interesting and adventurous songs are left to discuss. IF you have never heard "Dazed and Confused", what are you waiting for?? Starting with a slow rock&blues rhythm led by a descending bass tone, it builds up into heavier riffs including the descending bass riff played beautifully on electric guitar. The song is actually structurally complex and the most interesting part for prog fans is possibly the middle part of it. It is a psycheledic ambiental instrumental part dominated by Jimmy PAge playing his guitar with a violin bow. The effect is wonderful and spooky. Then the main theme comes back with great guitar soloing.

And how about "How Many More Times"? A driving bass riff (later played in guitar) begins the tune as a heavy blues song, but then you feel like the song won't be so straightforward and it isn't. Jimmy Page records an orchestra of guitars (one soloing wildly all over the place, being possibly his best solo) and what follows is even better. A spacy and psycheledic middle part with more genius use of the violin bow on guitar and incredibly good vocal performances and drumming. The song ends in a similar style to its beginning. Who should get this album?: Um, everyone. This album is just essential if you collect music albums. It is a landmark in the history of music, accessible, and one of the best albums ever made.

For number freaks: ratings (11 points to some songs to make the average better, as those songs are absolute masterpieces)

1. Good Times, Bad Times (9.5/10) 2. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You (11/10) 3. You Shook Me (8/10) 4. Dazed And Confused (11/10) 5. Your Time Is Gonna Come (8.5/10) 6. Black Mountain Side (7/10) 7. Communication breakdown (7/10) 8. I Can't Quit You Baby (8.5/10) 9. How Many More Times (11/10)

My GRade : A+

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