PRESENCE

I think this album has the feel that it was rushed and that there was not much inspirations to write songs. The album sounds like if the band was tired. The keyboards are completely removed which is a shame because they really are an important element in the music of Led Zeppelin. The album is Hard Rock/Blues, more in the style of Led Zeppelin II.

Achilles Last Stand may be the best opening song in a Led Zeppelin album. Opening with distorted acoustic notes, the song turns into a monstrously heavy 10-minute long epic full of powerful guitar riffs, galloping rhythm (is this where Iron Maiden got their galloping rhythm from ?), and some of the best guitar solos I have ever heard which are made even better thanks to the skull-crushing percussion when they are playing. I think what makes this song heavier is the fact that Jimmy Page's riffs are made out of many guitar tracks. This is easily one of the best songs the band have made and it elevates this average album to 3 stars.

For Your Life is a good song, not great, but far better than the 3 bad songs of the album. It is a mid-tempo rock song that depends on the riffs of Jimmy Page, some of them being quite good.

Royal Orleans is a weak song for Led Zeppelin. The riffs are not interesting and the singing is not that memorable for once.

Nobody Fault But Mine is a pretty good song. It starts with a guitar riff with a phaser effect and Robert Plant singing catchy "ahhh ahhhs". Then the song starts, which is more than decent. The "ahhh ahhs" are repeated with great bass riffs and an energetic harmonica solo demands attention. The rest of the song is of the same style, with a guitar solo and the ahhh ahhhs concluding the piece.

Candy Store Rock: This is worse than Royal Orleans. The song always having the same uninteresting rhythm until a subtle change near the end with irritating "oooooo oooooos". I just do not like this composition.

Hots on For Nowhere is yet another weak song, with a bad and awkward guitar riff that leaves empty spaces. There are some nice vocal performances here and there, but the song is mediocre.

Luckily, Tea for One saves this album. The first twenty seconds may fool you that this will be a rock song, but then turns into a very nice blues song that recalls "Since I've Been Loving You". Yes, it's almost of that quality! Very inspired guitar playing, and there is an outstanding and highly emotional guitar solo in this piece!

I recommend this album for the opener and closer which are among Led Zeppelin's better songs. Despite some weak songs, this album is still good because Achilles Last Stand is a masterpiece and Tea for One is one of the best blues songs I have ever heard. However, it's not essential for someone who is not a fan of Led Zeppelin and looks for "prog"

highlights: Achilles Last Stand, Tea For One

Let Downs: Royal Orleans, Hots on for Nowhere, Candy Store Rock.

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