273) Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy

I am too young for Led Zeppelin, they split up in December 1980, I was nine.

As I got into music, I first heard their name when someone told me they were responsible for the theme tune to Top of the Pops and then I read that they had never released a single in the UK but were one of the biggest selling artists ever. Their sales were/are staggering.

My mate bought Remasters and said I was to give it a listen. I did enjoy the odd song, but it didn’t send me down a Led Zeppelin love in and I have never listened to an actual studio album.

So, I get they, and this record, are revered by many and I am not denying that all three musicians are clearly talented, and Mr Plant has a fair set of lungs on him.

Regular readers (please let me just hang on to that belief) will know I listen to a request three time, so this got the same consideration and I hope I never have to hear The Crunge and D’yer Mak’er ever again, many may feel they have merit, I’m not saying I’m right or they are wrong but they are just not for me.

What did I like? I don’t dislike The Song Remains the Same, but it didn’t move me but then I enjoyed The Rain Song which has a delicacy to it and some lovely instrumentation. Plant is restrained and delivers a heartfelt vocal and when it kicks off at the five minute mark it’s wonderful and Over the Hills and Far Away is all acoustic guitar from Page before the rest of the band arrive and there is a groove here that I enjoyed and Dancing Days has a weird but enjoyable riff.

No Quarter they are clearly branching out, great keyboards from John Paul Jones distorting Plant’s vocals works and the riffs on The Ocean were enjoyable enough.

So where am I with Led Zeppelin? I don’t dislike them, but I know I am never going to discover the joy in their music that so many do. Aw well I’ve been wrong before.

5/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: The Rain Song