Led Zeppelin IV: Album Review
Classic rock enthusiasts will all agree that this album always ranks among the top 5, not only for its era, but all time. This particular album was the group's 4th and probably their pinnacle release. Led Zeppelin had probably the best line-up of musicians that were absolutely filled with extreme talent. This combination helped fuel a well balanced album with progressive melodies on top of some of the most basic rock/blues scales.
Jimmy Page => Lead Guitar
John Paul Jones => Bass, Keyboard
John Bonham => Drums
Robert Plant => Vocals
Quality
Well done indeed. Considering the date it was recorded (1971) I was astounded.
Tone
Although many at the time considered Led to be a rather 'Metal' band... I never considered them that. This, of course, has a lot to do with what 'Metal' is considered today. Although they may have set some pioneering paths to rock/metal (after Sabbath of course), I still believe Zeppelin is more of a blues/classic rock band.
One can notice the crying tone of Page's Les Paul from 100 miles away. His deep fuzzy/clean sounds used in the songs "Black Dog" and "Rock and Roll" are great. but yet, also knows how to tone it down for "Stairway" and "Battle of Evermore".
As far as creativity and technicality in this album, it is off-the-chart. I think that the guitar solo for "Rock and Roll" is very recognizable and unique... but let's not forget the one of the best guitar solos ever... yeah, you know... "Stairway To Heaven"... Words can't even describe the perfect tone, technicality, and melodic riffs this solo contains.
Every time this solo starts I get carried off into a different world. In general terms, a good guitar solo is one that a commoner (someone that doesn't fully appreciate or know music) can sing along with. As I am a musician/composer myself, I can agree that the band did take a great background riff for the solo (walk down from A to F)... one of the most popular solo riffs. Any walk-down is great for a solo (i.e. Comfortably Numb, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Fade To Black = ALL WALK DOWNS), but it takes talent and professional skill to bring that solo to life, which is exactly what Page did for this song.
The wide spectrum of original material found in each song is impressive. Zeppelin goes from Rock and Roll to Blues, even to Folk (found in "Going To California"). The use of all instruments was ground-breaking and creative. The mandolin-driven "Battle of Evermore" is a great example; even the quiet organ in Stairway is calming.
Few albums can be ranked with such a prestige album as, Led Zeppelin IV. I have owned it for over 12 years and still pop it in every now and then. I have an I-Pod, Mp3s on my comp, and thousands of other albums, but I still find myself putting in this original CD into my Cd-Player. All Hail Zeppelin. If you don't have this album, go buy it... or at least download a few tunes from it.
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