LED ZEPPELIN

This is Led Zeppelins debut album, and boy does it open with a hard rock hell blast. Good Times, Bad times is some mighty fine hard rock, some of the best of its time. That vocal hook is so good, too. A short burst of power to start off a grand career. Led Zeppelin then commences to do what made them more timeless than their other hard rock counterparts. They went acoustic, and they went acoustic excellently. Babe I'm Gonna Leave you has a pretty and melancholy opening until it gets a fire under its belly. The song then explodes with hard rock fervor, loud crashing power. the lyrics are absolute garbage, but the music is tops. Moving from soft to loud in a good fashion.

You Shook Me follows, and again, Led Zeppelin show that they are just a step above their hard rock brothers by adding the groove. Too bad the groove they added happened to be pretty terrible. But, it adds diversity. This song is just awful, a major let down after two classics. At least it is listenable, but it is boring. And the progression is not really even noticeable. That solo sounds so tame, and the organ playing is pedestrian. Trying to one up Deep Purple, maybe? They don't succeed.

Dazed and Confused is nice, especially when they rock out. This is hard and strong. The wailing guitars are deep, and Plant sings skillfully. A classic. Even if it almost falls under its own weight. the atmospheric noodling is neat the first time you hear it, but doesn't age too well. Still a great song. Organs on high greet us with Your Time is Gonna Come. This is a laid back organ rock song, for the most part, and the melodies are quite strong. This is a first rate organ driven tune, and adds to the diversity of Led Zeppelin.

More pretty acoustic work from Black Mountain Slide, acting as almost an introduction of sorts to their very well known punching song Communication Breakdown. This doesn't do it for me, the vocals are great, and it kicks some tail, but not as much as the opening song. Still solid, and that solo is biting.

I Can't Quit You Baby shows them blues-ing it up. And it doesn't work too well. the lyrics are trash, and the guitar line feels insecure. It is fun, but shallow. This is their blues jam, and it is alright. That rhythm section feels like cardboard. Can't complain, but I could ask for a lot more. The album closes with How Many More Times. Psychedelic guitars cry in, and it has a fine build up before rocking out. The song has multiple sections, and easily their most progressive song, here. Doesn't mean it is perfect. The song meanders here and there, and is a bit too long, but still a highlight.

Best Song - Good Times, Bad Times

Worst Song - You Shook Me

*** Solid Stars. A promising beginning.

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