Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV

Artist: Led Zeppelin

Album: Led Zeppelin IV

Released: November 8, 1971

Reviewed by: Siddique Humayun

Zoso, aka, Led Zeppelin IV or simply, the fourth album is a definitive work in hardrock music. Selling over 23 million units in the US alone, its also one of the best selling albums of all time. The album features 8 beautifully composed songs and starts off with the song, "Black Dog". Black Dog is a very moving song and guitarist, Jimmy Page provides amazing guitar-work with an exceptional drumming by one of the most thunderous drummers of the era, Bonzo! Finishing off the song by a nice guitar solo, the next song that comes in, is one of the bands most famous song, Rock & Roll. It starts with Jason Bonham marvelling at his drums accompained by John Paul Jones effective bass and soon comes in Jimmy Page with his guitars. One of the parts most famous of the song are when Plant shows his mastery with the vocals.., 'Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time.'

For any music lover, Led Zeppelin is a name that brings in mind respect. They fall second only to The Beatles when it comes to popularity, and 'the fourth album' is the bands most critically
acclaimed work.

When we talk about creativity, Led Zeppelin is right there among the best. Whether it be drumming inside a bathroom to get the echoing sound or to use a Mandolin to its best, as is seen in the song "The Battle of Evermore". This song features a Mandolin with an acoustic guitar to give it a soothing and mesmerizing feeling. It's also the only song to feature a guest vocalist, Sandy Denny who shares the vocals with the legend himself. And finally, the first side of the album finishes off with the most famous, greatest song ever known to mankind. The song is not only Led Zeppelin's most requested song, but the most requested song of any band on radio. Despite of its length and never being released as a Single, Stairway to Heaven is nothing less than an anthem. It starts off slowly, without any drumming until slightly over half the song is done. It features John Paul Jones talent on bass and grand piano at the live performances of the song. Jimmy Page nails an amazing solo on it, which has been rated as the best guitar solo of all time by many sources, including Guitar World Magazine.

On the other side of the album, it features not a single weak song, Misty Mountain Hop has Robert Plant singing at his finest. Four Sticks features the technique of the band with high note vocals by Plant and technical riffs by Page. Next in line, Going to California is a song as beautiful as any other on the album. For anyone interested in deep lyrics, Going to California is "The" song. And finally the album ends with the more famous "When the Levee Breaks" Though not an original Zeppelin song, it features the bands immense talent and creativity. Recording the drums in a stairwell, processing the vocals at different intervals, finally, slowing the song on the record, The Led Zeppelin version of When the Levee Breaks is a symbol of creativity in itself.
Although there are few who have not come across this album, or a song from it, for those who haven't this is one of the most highly recommended albums of all time.

Rating - 5/5

Tracklisting -

Side one

1. "Black Dog" (Page/Plant/Jones) - 4:55

2. "Rock and Roll" (Page/Plant/Jones/Bonham) - 3:40

3. "The Battle of Evermore" (Page/Plant) - 5:38

4. "Stairway to Heaven" (Page/Plant) - 8:01

Side two

1. "Misty Mountain Hop" (Page/Plant/Jones) - 4:39

2. "Four Sticks" (Page/Plant) - 4:49

3. "Going to California" (Page/Plant) - 3:36

4. "When the Levee Breaks" (Page/Plant/Jones/Bonham/Memphis Minnie) - 7:08