PRESENCE

In "Presence" the mighty ZEPPELIN are no longer present. It's as if some unknown band pays tribute attempting to copy them with the most appaling results. "Achilles Last Stand" is a bloated parody of the much more punchier "Immigrant Song" that could have been benefited if it was three minutes shorter and played faster, with more passion and fire. Like, say, "Buzzard" from that underated ARMAGEDDON album one year earlier, that I'm sure Jimmy Page not only has had heard, but also had digested... Same goes to "Nobody's Fault But Mine" just remember "We're Gonna Groove" from "Coda".

I'm not a musician, I don't care much for technical wizzardy over melody and a fine song. Sure, Bonham and Page gave their best ; but who cares when Plant's voice is so weak and boring and the whole album sounds samey. The only two songs that can resonate well with me, are "For Your Life" and "Candy Store Rock". The first is the only one here that justifies its length and through its unexpected rhythm patterns gets as slow as it needs to fully represent many years of drug and alcohol excesses that finally took their toll. The second one, is a mostly entertainining '50's style rockabilly, played in a hard way ; I like the drums here and even Plant mimics Elvis style credibly.

"Royal Orleans" and "Hots On For Nowhere" by contrast, are merely fillers. As for "Tea For One" is one of the most lifeless ana sterile blues numbers I've ever heard, reminding me it's time to get some sleep. Being an unashamed rip off to "Since I've been Loving You" makes the whole thing even more painful by comparison and brings this album and Zeppelin themselves ("In Through The Out Door" isn't a complete Zep album per ce) to a bitter end. No wonder VAN HALEN conquered their Hard Rock throne just two years later... And I don't like the cover either. Let's go back to their first four healthy albums instead. Those, were pure gold !