An absolute classic, no doubt about it. You can help but be drawn in by each song, each a stone cold classic. Created by a band at the height of their powers. After the mainly acoustic based 'III', IV (or Four, or Four Symbols or ZOZO, which ever you want to go for), the band created an album that mixes all the elements they've used before to great effect.
Opener
Black Dog, has a great little bluesy strum, before Plant's vocals kick in. Now hearing this on vinyl for the first time is an experience, i actually found it shiver inducing. Listening to it on CD isnt quite the same, but still is an awesome song. Its followed by the solid
Rock n Roll, a song I've wanted to cover for some time. It has a perfect rhythm and its supposed simplicity, belies what is going on.
Battle for Evermore features the beautiful harmony vocals of Fairport Convention's Sandy Denny. The vocal interplay between Denny and Plant is beautiful and you can picture the song being recorded around a campfire. Up next is the classic
Stairway to Heaven, the bane of every Music shop lol. There is not much else i can say about this song, that you dont already know, so I'll leave it there.
Misty Mountain Hop is next and a nice track to follow Stairway, its mid-tempo and features some great piano playing by bassist John Paul Jones.
Four Sticks is next, named after Bonham's playing with two sticks in each hand. Its pure Rock and you can tell the band are loving it.
Going to California is a beautiful folk style ballad, that shows even more of Zeppelin's inspriations. Finally we have the epic
When the Levee Breaks a 'co-write' with blues player Memphis Minnie, meaning that they took her song and re-did it (something they were in a habit of doing and they didnt always create the original writer)
This album has to b in your collection, that is all