CODA

A bittersweet farewell from the band after the tragic death of their drummer, the incomparable John Henry Bonham, Coda is disjointed to be sure. It's a record that gives the unshakable feeling we're hearing a collection of trimmings and loose meat, and Coda's relationship to even die hard fans is shaky. That's a shame, too, because not only is it the parting shot of arguably the most important group in rock, it ended up being a strong, fun album of good music.

Made up mostly of tracks recorded over the years but never put to album, the different aspects of the group are represented; blues, folk, power, a smart, eccentric rhythmic sensibility and the deep friendship and musical connection the four had. 'We're Gonna Groove', probably the album's signature cut, is rough and stormy heavy blues with a demanding Victrola-horn vocal from Robert Plant and Page's stuttering guitar. The melancholy 'Poor Tom' reflects upon a man warm of heart but weak of mind with Page's acoustic drone over a beautiful and booming syncopation from John Bonham, showing the reason this band could not go on without their beloved timekeeper. A drunk rehearsal version of the classic 'I Can't Quit You Babe' gives the casual fan a taste of Zep in a live setting, and 'Darlene' swings, showcasing John Paul Jones' piano skills and some good solid songwriting.

Of course the highlight is 'Bonzo's Montreux', Bonham's wardrum tour-de-force, topping off a legendary career with thunder. Revealing a Led Zeppelin unlike the deities they were seen as, we instead see four normal men with the good fortune to have known each other.