Purchased From:
HMV
Price Paid:
?5
Introduction
The third outing from Led Zeppelin, from 1970.
On the first two albums the band had flirted with acoustic music but this album takes it a step further. A more acoustic folk styled album marks quite a departure but a very successful one. The album demonstrates their versatility as song writers and musicians.
People often focus on the acoustic stylings of this album a little too much forgetting the thunderous ''Immigrant Song'' that opens the album - I fine heavy rock song with perhaps the finest vocal wail in music history!
Not to mention what is still one of their finest songs - ''Since I've Been Loving You'' is one of the finest examples of blues rock there is. For guitar enthusiasts the solo is still voted in the top 15 of all time! Second only to ''Stairway'' from Page.
As for the acoustic element - Gallows Pole is simply brilliant and Tangerine is a common favourite among Zeppelin fans.
Good Points
A big statement of versatility from the Zep legends. Plenty on offer for hard rockers as well as acoustic loving folk fans.
This album stopped Zeppelin from being pigeon holed as a heavy rock band and allowed them to be accepted in whatever style of music they wished to try.
Bad Points
One or two songs get lost in the memory & Frankly the album art is terrible, but aside from these near irelevent criticisms there are no bad points at all.
The Verdict
A great album, a testiment to versatility and willingness to push boundaries. An incredibly important album that - with hindsight - shaped the rest of Zeppelins career.
In many ways this album gave them the freedom they craved in a record industry dominated by a singles market that expected reproductions of past glories. This album is a defiant stand against all that rubbish.
