Custard Pie - interesting bass sound here, or maybe it's keyboards? I remember a Slade song (Thanks for the Memory) which opened with something like it and it was definitely keyboards. Classic Zeppelin type song, I like it a lot but it does go on slightly too long.
The Rover - Nice meaty sound here, it doesn't stand out hugely for me but you do expect a certain standard from Zeppelin and what's "normal" for them would be outstanding for lots of other bands. The vocals are a plus point.
In My Time of Dying - I've heard this before, it sounds suspiciously like it might be a plodder but my memory might be deceiving me. The slide guitar riff is pretty cool but the drums are a bit too bass-heavy and thumpy. It does liven up a bit towards the middle but overall for me it's too long and sort of stodgy. I can see how it would be perfect background music though, maybe for a get-together of rock fans.
Houses of the Holy - A lighter touch on this one, some nice twiddles from Mr Page and generally more appealing to these ears than the last track. It reminds me of the solo stuff Robert Plant came out with in later years. Favourite so far.
Trampled Under Foot - Great funky opening and growly vocals. I like the way it struts along with plenty of interesting sounds from guitar and keyboards. Another winner if again a bit over-long. Reminds me of Slow Train Coming by the Doobie Brothers.
Kashmir - One of the classics, and here the heavy drumming fits in properly. You do have to be in the mood for it though, a bit like In My Time of Dying. I can imagine it had a lot of impact when it first came out, it's so different from what was around at the time.
In the Light - Atmospheric opening with the same exotic influence as Kashmir. By two minutes in though I'm wishing it would go somewhere. It does liven up later and get quite catchy but for me it's miles too long and a bit overindulgent in the drawn out keyboard/vocal parts.
Bron-Yr-Aur - Ah, a restful bit of acoustic guitar, pretty tune, nice one.
Down by the Seaside - This is a bit different, it's sort of shimmery. Strolls along nicely but doesn't stand out much to these ears.
Ten Years Gone - Lovely mellow feeling to this, nice riff and some interesting guitar sounds. About two minutes too long for me though.
Night Flight - Lively vocals here, I can imagine Mr Plant tossing his curls and posing to the max whilst singing this.
The Wanton Song - Aha, this is familiar, it's the kind of Zeppelin I like best, when it's lively and not too thumpily slow, with some raspy vocals. Winner.
Boogie with Stu - Interesting mix of 80's sounding percussion and olde worlde piano as it kicks off. Jolly little tune, reminds me a bit of California Man.
Black Country Woman - I'd forgotten I knew this too, standard sort of bluesy tune embroidered with Mr Plant's vocal acrobatics which lifts it a bit above the norm.
Sick Again - Sorry, it's another plodder for me, and with slide guitar too just like in In My Time of Dying, maybe there's a connection. Robert P is all over it though, he really does have an epic voice which is still holding up pretty well today.
This is a classic album by an band with a huge fan base. The musicianship on it is undeniably top notch too. They're not one of my favourites due to their tendancy to drag things out and get a bit noodly and bluesy, but the quality can't be denied if you're into that sort of thing. I'm not averse to long songs in my pet genres so it's easy to see how fans of what Zeppelin do would delight in getting as much as possible. I'd say it's the kind of album you could put on if you had a gathering of people with mixed rock tastes, a good staple for any library. I'd give it 6 out of 10, thanks for sharing
jefflynnenut