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Recorded at Headley Grange in Hampshire, Island Studios in London and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, Led Zeppelin IV is the album that put Led Zeppelin into homes around the world, acting as a successful marriage of the hard rock from their second album with the folkier meanderings of their third. It is an album that demonstrates their subtlety and restraint as much as their stadium-filling grandstanding and it confirmed their superstar rock status.
The actually untitled album (it was also known as Four Symbols or The Runes Album), a chart-topper on both sides of the Atlantic, captures the group’s schizophrenia perfectly. On the one hand, they wallop away through genre-defining rock standards such as “Rock And Roll”, “Black Dog” and “Misty Mountain Hop”; yet on the other, they are gentle and restrained on the folk mysticism of “Going To California” and the Sandy Denny co-sung “The Battle Of Evermore.”
It is on their anthem, “Stairway To Heaven”, however, that both strands come together in perfect accord. Starting as a recorder-driven acoustic folk ballad, it culminates in its closing minutes as a full-on, much emulated rock classic, with Robert Plant’s vocals and Jimmy Page’s guitar both approaching career-bests. Led Zeppelin IV also demonstrates the singular talent that was drummer John Bonham – the blues driven “When The Levee Breaks” is one of the most heavily sampled drum tracks of all time.
With immaculate playing (multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones’ contributions are not to be underestimated, either), a mystically obscure sleeve, and a remarkable range of tunes, Led Zeppelin IV, is still, for many, the best example of the group’s craft. Robert Plant thinks so himself. He has been quoted saying, simply: "the Fourth Album, that's it." --Daryl Easlea
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By Some Bloke
Format:Audio CD
This was a pioneering rock album by the band everyone aspired to be at the time, and are influenced by now. Unlike many other groundbreakers, this isn't particularly dated and still holds its own in a market that has moved on.
'Stairway to Heaven' deserves to be remembered as one of the all-time great tracks, but the others aren't fillers. More a case of 'Stairway' as the pinnacle of the album. Plant's vocals are forthright, bluesy and angst-ridden. Page's guitar lines are ideal in each situation and provide some great riffs. Bonham's drumming really is incredible rock drumming - hard, heavy, and not always as predicted. Somehow John-Paul Jones and his bass are by comparison, merely perfect.
There's a variety here - rocky numbers like 'Black Dog' and 'Rock n Roll', then slow blues like 'When the Levy Breaks'.
Since this album, the rock guitar has become louder and heavier through Motorhead, AC/DC, Anthrax, Slayer, through to the modern thrash. Despite that, this album still sounds fresh and has an edge of creative genius that many new bands just don't have as much of.
I write this not as someone who was there when it came out and is nostalgic (I'm too young!) but someone who found it after discovering the modern rock and metal world. And it's still, really, that good.
'Stairway to Heaven' deserves to be remembered as one of the all-time great tracks, but the others aren't fillers. More a case of 'Stairway' as the pinnacle of the album. Plant's vocals are forthright, bluesy and angst-ridden. Page's guitar lines are ideal in each situation and provide some great riffs. Bonham's drumming really is incredible rock drumming - hard, heavy, and not always as predicted. Somehow John-Paul Jones and his bass are by comparison, merely perfect.
There's a variety here - rocky numbers like 'Black Dog' and 'Rock n Roll', then slow blues like 'When the Levy Breaks'.
Since this album, the rock guitar has become louder and heavier through Motorhead, AC/DC, Anthrax, Slayer, through to the modern thrash. Despite that, this album still sounds fresh and has an edge of creative genius that many new bands just don't have as much of.
I write this not as someone who was there when it came out and is nostalgic (I'm too young!) but someone who found it after discovering the modern rock and metal world. And it's still, really, that good.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By wiseoldowl
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Best Led Zepplin Album ever! Not one track that is weak, all brilliant. Includes the most classic Zepplin track. You may prefer the Rolf Harris version, but I'll stick with this one.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By haunted
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
This album has a reputation as being one of the all time great rock albums. And it totally deserves it.
It is the product of a band at the height of their powers.
Stairway to Heaven is the best known track and is so familiar that we shouldn't take notice of it anymore. However even at this remove it isn't possible to hear the opening bars without a frisson of glee going through me.
Black Dog is another classic "Rock" tune.
There are also a few excellent folk influenced songs on the album, such as "Battle of Evermore" and "Going to California" and these demonstrate the band's versatility.
And the epic is rounded off with the dark and threatening "When the Levee Breaks", which for me has even more resonance since Katrina hit New Orleans a few years ago.
Quite simply you must have this album.
It is the product of a band at the height of their powers.
Stairway to Heaven is the best known track and is so familiar that we shouldn't take notice of it anymore. However even at this remove it isn't possible to hear the opening bars without a frisson of glee going through me.
Black Dog is another classic "Rock" tune.
There are also a few excellent folk influenced songs on the album, such as "Battle of Evermore" and "Going to California" and these demonstrate the band's versatility.
And the epic is rounded off with the dark and threatening "When the Levee Breaks", which for me has even more resonance since Katrina hit New Orleans a few years ago.
Quite simply you must have this album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
LED ZEPPELIN's 4th LP has no pronounceable title, but who cares - it's...
8 tracks of unbelievable quality. Folk and Rock are superbly blended throughout. What else is there to say...
... Read more
... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Mr Paul Savory
4.0 out of 5 stars
The greatest album in the history of rock?
Zeppelin IV is widely considered the bands best album. It is understandable to see why, as much of the songwriting is improved and focused as the group finds themselves in a... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Lord Anon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
My vinyl got un-playable, update time! Just classic & awesome. What else is there to say really. Buy it now!
Published 10 days ago by Spacemanlacey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure class
Great service from amazon and price great too. CD is superb if you like classic rock with a folkish/chilled mix. Love it,When the levvie breaks is on it too!!!! Awesome.Well happy.
Published 12 days ago by Big Kirrie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic rock
I love this album but never owned it as an LP. When I obtained a credit for some MP3s I couldn't wait to download it and I'm not disappointed. Read more
Published 29 days ago by MrPestle
3.0 out of 5 stars
buying and getting 'into' lz newly in 2013...
well, if i was a jury, no not ian, id still be out. ive read the reviews and heard the hype,, for years. im no youngster and have a very wide well versed music library. yeah, yeah. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Martin Harrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
In my opinion this is one of the best albums by Led Zeppelin and if...
Exactly what I wanted and in excellent condition ... Thank you I could not ask for more ... I recommend this to everyone.
Published 2 months ago by James Witty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another blast from the past
First heard Led Zep in 1970, caught a gig in Berlin in 1980 and now I'm catching up aged 70!
Published 2 months ago by Mr. R. Booth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Led Zepplin 1V
One of the best albums ever but I'm sure everyone knows that already. Must have in your collection if you haven't got it already.
Published 3 months ago by Emms
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the finest rock albums of all time
I was inspired to write this review some thirty something years after we first got hold of a copy of the new Zep album at school and sat around in awe in the common room. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Alistair & Carmel Hill
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