Review Summary: A true, timeless classic. An album that all must have, young or old. This album introduced me to Led Zeppelin, and has kept me interested for weeks on end, and many more years to come.
If I were to say to you the words “Led Zeppelin” surely you would reply with “classic”. You would say classic because that’s what Led Zeppelin is, and what they are all about. So much so that their albums are essential to every musical listener’s collection, just like anything else in life. For example a little kid falling off his bike before he learns to ride it or a baby learning to crawl before it walks, bread coming with butter, cereal being eaten with milk, and there’s even the Yankees having the Red Sox to challenge them year after year. There are just some things in life that are essential, and for someone who is interested in music Led Zeppelin is one of those essential needs. Led Zeppelin is such a classic band, the other day I walked in Hot Topic and saw a baby outfit saying “I listen to Led Zeppelin with my dad” written in gothic lettering. It’s obvious that Led Zeppelin is a classic rock band.
So some might be thinking “How is Led Zeppelin so good, they are an “older” band, probably with so-so talent”, well for those that think that, you couldn’t be more wrong. Starting off with Robert Plant would be good, simply a vocalist that everyone has heard his voice before. His uncanny ability to hit high notes with flawless finesse, and even pulls off scat singing better than Ella Fitzgerald, though Plant does have some amazing talent to back him up, starting with Jimmy Page. Page is easily one of the greatest guitarists ever; he could be like Michael Jordan to some who want to start playing guitar. Then there’s John Paul Jones, whose riffs are infectious, and always back up Page’s countless solos. Finally there’s John Bonham, who could also be considered to be in the class of the best drummers of all time. He can be a soft technical drummer at times and a hard pounding drummer with the force of a gorilla at other times.
With all great things there are skeptics, and I was very skeptical of Led Zeppelin. A skeptical Led Zeppelin listener would do what I used to do. I would constantly skip over a Led Zeppelin song on a classic rock station and turn on the metal channel, roll the windows down, and head bang violently to piss off oncoming traffic. There would be times I would avoid suggestions of Led Zeppelin albums from friends and say I already had them, or was getting them soon. At times I would change the channel when a Led Zeppelin song would be in the background of a commercial. This all stopped when I finally picked up Led Zeppelin IV.
Track through track those who don’t know Led Zeppelin will constantly say “Oh, that’s where that song is from”. For me the first listen through of “IV” was medicinal, and I kept hitting repeat while tons of settings where I had heard the song had flashed through my mind. There are four tracks that really stand out to me, but the one track that stands out the most is none other than “Stairway to Heaven”. Jimmy Page’s soft, soothing, almost dream sequence guitar play throughout the eight minute musical masterpiece is simply amazing. Robert Plant’s vocals are just as soft, yet higher pitched, and soothes just as much. John Bonham isn’t exactly slamming methodically as most are used to while watching his solo of “Moby Dick” but his drumming is quick and efficient in “Stairway to Heaven”. John Paul Jones’ bass play is just as essential in the song, yet takes a bit of a back seat next to Page’s numerous solos and fills that everyone knows so well. “Stairway to Heaven” is a song that’s survived the test of time, continuing to get as much air play on classic rock channels as any song on other stations. I’m only fourteen, and I must have heard bits and pieces of this song on the radio over twenty times, just remembering off the top of my head.
“Stairway to Heaven” is such a classic track, on such a classic album; it in itself is a huge positive to “IV”. There are other tracks on this album that are not only as classic, but just as good. One great example is “Black Dog”, which isn’t as popular as “Stairway to Heaven”, but is not far behind entertainment wise. Plant’s vocals headline Led Zeppelin in this song, along with others. Often times he even scat sings, which for those who don’t know is making up words, and singing them. Page and John Paul Jones consistently play fast paced riffs in harmony, and pull it off flawlessly. Bonham’s drum work is quicker, harder, and more consistent in “Black Dog”. During a small portion of the song Plant wails with Page’s minute long screeching guitar solo that ends “Black Dog” very well.
Another familiar track would be “Rock and Roll”. Bonham’s pounding drum intro immediately grabs your attention, and when the rest of Zeppelin starts to play the grip on it is tightened. Laced with Page’s usual solos, Plants fits of scat, John Paul Jones’ consistent fast paced play, and Bonham’s loud and very noticeable drumming, “Rock and Roll” is an example of Led Zeppelin just doing what they do. Even included is some piano play, which is used in other Led Zeppelin songs as well. Finally the song ends with a frenzied drum pounding fit from Bonham, and a quick few seconds of play from Page. This song is quite medicinal, for any who have seen the car commercial that uses it as the background music, I forget the name of the car but the commercial is on constantly (one of those I’d often change the channel on). Finally the song ends with a frenzied drum pounding fit from Bonham, and a quick few seconds of play from Page.
The fourth track that really makes you fall in love with Led Zeppelin is “Going to California”. Somehow it could be on a soundtrack to a wedding, yet can be enjoyable anytime. With no drums in the song, a soft, calm mood is set, even more so than “Stairway to Heaven”. The beginning of the song is like stepping into a warm bath, the sound of Page’s fast acoustic play soothes you all over. Throughout the soft feeling is never lost, and to help that is Plant’s soft voice. He doesn’t scat once here, and his vocals stand out more than anything in this song. Plant goes from low (for him) and high pitched vocals effortlessly time and time again, making sure the soft dreamy feeling isn’t lost. “Going to California” is one of those songs that can make anyone smile, even the most gruesome of metal heads, then just sit back and just enjoy.
Now those were just four tracks, but the other half of the album is almost just as good. Believe me, picking up this album (If you haven’t already) is essential, you will be massively pleased, this is coming from a once skeptic. Each and every track is one to be remembered, and solidifies the fact that Led Zeppelin is atop the tyrants of classic rock, and the structure for most of the music we have today. So if you don’t believe it yet, go out and get “IV”, disappointment is not apparent much at all throughout.
