Led Zeppelin had a long 12 year career. It's hard to try and collect their greatest hits since 1973 (Houses of the Holy) to 1979 (In Through the Out Door). Atlantic Records attempted to do this. Though it is good it is lacking many songs. Tracks like 'The Ocean', 'In My Time of Dying', 'Bron-Yr-Aur', 'Dancin' Days', the list goes on. They too deserve to be here.
The Song Remains the Same- A lot of people say that Robert Plant has a wretched voice and most of the time I don't mind it but this is a huge exception. His voice is almost unbearable in this song. The guitar intro is genius so it evens out. Every thing is awesome except for Plant's voice. The drums are complex and the bass fits right in. The mini guitar solos are my favorite part of the song. 3.5/5
No Quarter- This song is more psychedelic then all of the other ones. Plants voice has a really cool effect on it. The guitar is using power chords so its kind of plain but the JPJ's synth is really hypnotizing. The drums are syncopated and very complex and they drive through the song just like every great led song. The lyrics are make no sense but they are a huge part of the track. There is nothing to say about this song other than a song to dream to. 4.5/5
Houses of the Holy- This is a more happy, upbeat groove. I'm taping my foot right now listening to it. Plant voice is usual, ohhhs and ahhhs, but its not as bad as TSRTS. The sound coming from Jimmy's guitar is really good. His sudden fills are great. The bass goes along with the guitar and the drums are simple but steady. 4/5
Trampled Underfoot- Maybe my favorite song on the album. This starts out with a amazing catchy synth fill and the synth doesn't stop though out the whole song. Plants voice is the best its ever been. His voice is pure strength. JPJ really shows off with his absolutely fantastic synth solo. The drums have really good fills every once in a while but still good. The guitar stays steady through out the whole song. This song is pure musicianship. 5/5
Kashmir- You may not know that you know this song but you do. This is also a psychedelic song like No Quarter. It starts out with a very memorable guitar riff. JPJ is on the synth again and he is great on it. John Bonham is showing off very good double bass beats and perfect fills. Plant's lyrics are about crossing the Kashmir desert (hence the name Kashmir)and his voice is very dramatic. This song is a series of epic riffs, fills, bridges and genius. 5/5
Ten Years Gone- This song has acoustic at the beginning and goes into a powerful guitar fill. It goes back into the peaceful acoustic with plants pretty good voice then back into the other one but with this one the drums and bass come in. The drums go along perfectly with the song. The many guitar solos are a good trait. With the drums there are crash cymbals all around and the riff during the heavy part is stunning. The bass is turned down but still audible and it follows the guitar's lead perfectly. This song can easily get stuck in your head in a second. 4.5/5
Achilles Last Stand- This too might be my favorite song on the album. It starts out with an arpeggio on the guitar then suddenly goes in to amazing guitar, drum and bass. Plants vocals aren't the best but their not bad. But they can get scratchy at times. The guitar stands out the most in this 10:22 masterpiece. The beat is simple for the drums but the fills aren't. They are sudden and fast. The guitar fills and solos are just... there is nothing to say they just make all of his other work seem simple. Even the rhythm part is awesome. The bass blends in with song but it has a completely different rhythm. Plant's lyrics don't make much sense but you gotta love them. “The mighty arms of Atlas, hold the heavens from the earth.” This song ends just the way it started, an arpeggio. 5/5
Nobody's Fault But Mine- This is also a great song up-beat song just like HOTH. I absolutely love the double tracked riff in the beginning. The guitar is really Jimmy like. The bass line is one of the best on the the album. The drums are rhythmic and great. Bonzo fills in just the right time every time. The guitar solo sounds like a harmonica with a guitar and it is a great quality to a great song. There is also another superior guitar solo. Very good addition. 4/5
All of My Love- This is a balled written for Plant's son Karac who died at a very young age. This song is addicting. There is really great violin and reggae like guitar. The drum keeps a great simple beat but in the bridge the drums are a bit more complex. Plant's voice is above average as usual. This song is a really touching love song that everyone should love. 4/5
In the Evening- This song is a very psychedelic song like No Quarter. It starts out with odd noises and then Plant comes in with “In the Evening” Then into an outstanding riff though it is very repetitive. JPJ is on the synth doing what Page is doing on the guitar, nothing special. Bonham is keeping a good beat as usual but the bridge comes and hes got some different stuff. A big plus to this song is the high pitched guitar solo. The solo goes into a mellow part and you just want to relax but then comes the main part. Plant's voice is actually pretty good in this song. It isn't as good as Trampled but its darn good. The song fades away and the song the album and the band is done. 3.5/5
Pros
Jimmy's guitar
Achilles Last stand
Some good songs
JPJ's synth
Cons
Lacking great tracks
Very little blues
Recommended tracks:
Trampled Underfoot
Kashmir
Achilles Last Stand
So as you see it isn't an amazing choice of songs but it isn't bad. Some songs are missing and some songs deserve to be here. Its not the best way to portrait the ending of Zeppelins career
3.5/5
Pce
