LED ZEPPELIN IV

Due to critisism on their previous album, Led Zeppelin decided to not give the album a title, or reference to the band, so no title was presented, and no band name was featured on the cover of their fourth album, with the idea behind it to let the music sell itself. A decision of non-comercialism not welcomed by the record compagny's excecutives. This decision let to a wild-growth of different titles, given to the album by all kinds of sources.

On the inner sleeve a set of Runes was drawn, each representing a member of the band, the first is a reference to Alistair Crowley, no known meaning, but it probable has a black magic/occult meaning, which represents Page, who is a fan of Crowley's work, the second is a rune representing John Paul Jones, the drum kit (three circles) referes to John Bonham, and the feather in a circle represents Robert Plant. (Also a small rune is present in the credits, which represents Sandy Denny, who makes a guest appearance on "The Battle Of Evermore.)

Back to the title of the album. Most communly used are "Zoso" (translating the form of the first "Jimmy Page" rune to letters), "Led Zeppelin IV" "Sticks" and "The Runen Album", on occasion also the (handwritten) rune's on the inner sleeves are depicted as title (which probable would be the most accurate), also "Untitled" and various other names are used by some. Jimmy Page has been known to refer to the album as "IV" or "Led Zeppelin IV" which in spoken language of course sounds like "Led Zeppelin 4". I always refer to the album as "Led Zeppelin IV" which I believe to be the most accurate, and that's how I will refer to the album from now on. With that off my chest, let's start with the music.

Led Zeppelin IV continuous what was started on Led Zeppelin III, a combination of acoustic folkish songs and heavy rock pieces, but this time they've got the mix perfect. Starting with the groovy "Black dog" orgasmic vocals, the whole song screams sex, which is the only way to describe this song really. Followed by the fast paced R&R song, with great drums, fabulous vocals and driving bass and guitar chords, sheer fabulous. After the heavy opening it's time for some fabulous acoustics in "The Battle Of Evermore" My favourite song in the led Zeppelin catalogue (automaticly making it one of my favorite songs of all time as a matter of factly). The ultimate duet, both vocally (introducing Sandy Denny on vocals in duet with Plant) as guitar like, with a wide range of different guitar lines battling each other. you'll have to listen yourself to understand such beauty. Side one concludes with the all too famous classic rock song "Stairway To heaven" which needs no introduction really.

If there is a minor point to this album, it's "Mysty Mountain Hop" but if this is a low, than it only proofs the rest are ultimate highs, nice song, with some good vocals and John Paul keeping it together with his keyboard, not fabulous though. "Four sticks" is named as it is because John Bonham needed four drum sticks to get the right drum sound for this song, an entrancing experience. "Going to California" is again an acoustic song, with a lead roll for Robert Plant delivering some great lyrics and vocals to this fabulous hippy musical piece. The album ends with a more psychedelic sounds that brings back memories of Dazed and confused from the first album, good stuff and a perfect ending of an almost impeccable album.

Brilliant, don't miss it.

Share this LED ZEPPELIN review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to tuxon
• Report this review (#99989)
• Buy LED ZEPPELIN music online with PA partners
• Show all LED ZEPPELIN MP3/Stream
• Go to LED ZEPPELIN page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Led Zeppelin IV page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for LED ZEPPELIN related discussions