I love this Album! In fact this was the album that got me into Zeppelin, and D'yer Mak'er was the track that sparked my love for this band more than 20 years ago.
Houses of the Holy is a typical Led Zeppelin album, inasmuch as it is a collection of tracks of different styles and moods, delivered by superb musicianship, yet unified by that unique, indescribable Zeppelin sound. As usual, the band invite you on a musical journey that pushes the boundaries of what you thought Led Zep are all about.
Jimmy Page's guitar playing is immaculate through out, from the multi layered guitar rock anthem "The Song Remains the same", through probably their most beautiful ballad "The Rain Song". "Over the Hills and far away" is a folk rock track that would have graced Led Zep III and Dancing Days is an off beat rocker with some great slide guitar playing. The Ocean is probably one of the great guitar riff rock songs ever, in the very best tradition of Black Dog and Heartbreaker whilst No Quarter illustrates the growing creative influence of John Paul Jones.
The tracks that usually divide opinion are "The Crunge" and "D'yer Mak'er". If you take them on face value, The Crunge has a groove that is a brilliant advert for the rhythm section whilst D'yer Mak'er is simply a beautiful, naïve love song.
This album is great for listening to in the summertime; sitting around a beach fire with friends watching the sun set, and has a beautifully uplifting vibe. If you like head banging your way through an entire album then maybe this isn't for you. If you like something a bit more varied then this is a classic.
