EARLY DAYS: THE BEST OF LED ZEPPELIN VOLUME ONE

Unless the sound is altered in some big way or major liner notes are offered, compilations such as this one are essentially judged based on what was deemed to be the cream of the crop; in other words, if the songs listed are largely in agreement with what I feel are some of a band's best work, then it's likely to get a good grade. Led Zeppelin pretty much hit the nail on the head with volume one, which contains songs from the first four albums. There's a few I could do without, such as "Since I've Been Loving You," but I suppose a standard blues number is called for. Five of the eight tracks from IV are present, which I suppose says something regarding which album is band's most popular (as if it were a mystery). Essentially, what that says to me is, unless someone is a compulsive completionist, wants the booklet, or is new to Led Zeppelin, the person should bypass this compilation and just grab the fourth album. I was surprised to see "The Battle of Evermore" there instead of "Misty Mountain Hop" or "Going to California," two tracks that still get significant airplay, but I'm not complaining by any means!