Overview:
Physical Graffiti is the true equal to Led Zeppelin IV, and Led Zeppelin’s only double studio album. While it does have a few songs that may be labeled as ’’filler’’ on first listen, it is never a disappointment. The album includes a treasure chest of great work, maybe more than any other album.
It was the first album to be published on Zeppelin’s Swan Song label, and on the second part of the album, becomes as musically experimental as Houses Of The Holy was. It is usually regarded in the same circle as Led Zeppelin IV by Zeppelin fans.
Tracks:
1) Custard Pie - As has been the case for so many other Zeppelin albums, the first song is a heavy rocker that gets you excited about the album. This song clearly has some sexual meaning to it by lines such as, ’’See me comin’, throw your man out the door, I ain’t no stranger, been this way before.’’ It’s quite catchy and has a somewhat bluesy feel to it. A Zeppelin hard rock classic. (9.5/10)
2) The Rover - A little slower paced than the previous track, but still a heavy rocker. This just builds up more momentum and opens the door for some slower, longer songs later on. A very underrated Zeppelin song, but another great work. (9/10)
3) In My Time Of Dying - One of Zeppelin’s longest studio songs, and while some times it meanders and confuses, finishes pretty strong. May not be as memorable as some of the other songs due to its size, and the fact it becomes overshadowed almost entirely by the onslaught of the next four songs. Still, a good song. (8.5/10)
4) Houses Of The Holy - The use of some synthesizers is very evident on this track, but it does not take away from the great guitar work of Jimmy Page and the drumming of Bonham. Very catchy, very interesting, very, very good. (9.5/10)
5) Trampled Under Foot - Starts of smoothly with the keyboard work of John Paul Jones, and uses his keyboard work heavily throughout the song. This is another fine selection for Zeppelin. It shows a harder, head on approach to rock and roll. Another Zeppelin masterpiece. (9.5/10)
6) Kashmir - This is the song Robert Plant calls, ’’the definitive Zeppelin song.’’ It’s been called, ’’Jimmy Page’s guitar masterpiece.’’ Some think this song is more deserving of the title, ’’Greatest song ever, ’’ than Stairway To Heaven. But one thing’s for sure; It’s an absolute classic. By far the best song on the album, and one of the hardest songs to play of all time. The song is about a trip the band took to the Sahara Desert, and was stopped by guards.
Robert Plant speaks of the desert and of the feeling being in the desert gave him. The song is not just about the desert though. It is about getting lost in a different world. It’s also the only song that Zeppelin used outside musicians to play. Since it’s debut in 1975, it was played at every single Zeppelin concert. The song has influenced guitar styles and music styles, and is arguably as influential as Stairway To Heaven is. To most listeners, It’s a tie between the two. (10/10)
7) In The Light - Don’t let the opening fool you, this is a heavy rocker. It starts of very slow, using mostly John Paul Jones’ keyboards. Then all in one fluent motion, it shifts to its true form. This is the first track on the second CD or Record, and is a very good way to start it off. (9/10)
8) Bron-Yr-Aur - To calm things down after many juggernaut songs, this instrumental was put in. It’s not the song itself that makes this a good choice, but mostly the placement. Anywhere else on the album it would feel lost and out of place, but not here. (7/10)
9) Down By The Seaside - As is much of the material on the second part of the album, this was somewhat of an experimental song. While such experimenting would start to haunt Zeppelin to some degree on future albums, it does not here. A very nice song that does not rush you too fast into Zeppelin’s trademark hard rock. (8/10)
10) Ten Years Gone - A true fruit of the experimentation Zeppelin used on this album. It’s not as heavy a hitter as the monsters on the first part, but being a heavy hitter wasn’t the idea here. It’s a very memorable Zeppelin song. (9/10)
11) Night Flight - Zeppelin brings the momentum of the album to a high level again on this track. Night Flight is a catchy song that, like Bron-Yr-Aur, is a good choice because of placement more than the song itself. (7.5/10)
12) The Wanton Song - The tempo is definitely at a high here. A very catchy tune and a very likeable song. A decent experiment. (7.5/10)
13) Boogie With Stu - To slow the tempo down a bit, Jimmy Page put in this song. It’s driven by Jones’ piano work as much as it is by Plant’s https://lyrics. Another catchy song. (7.5/10)
14) Black Country Woman - Zeppelin goes back to their folk, blues roots here. The song is, however, very different than any other blues song you’ve heard from Zeppelin. It gets less credit than it deserves mostly because its so late on the double album that many do not go back to it as much as they should. That said, it’s one of two fine songs to close out the album. (8.5/10)
15) Sick Again - Zeppelin closes the album out with a bang. The song is a heavy rocker that has a strong energetic feel. It was a great way to finish off this Zeppelin masterpiece. (8.5/10)
Conclusion:
Over the course of the album, there are more classics than any other Zeppelin album. In addition, the songs that may be labeled as filler songs soon become favorites. Physical Graffiti brings together all of Zeppelin?s greatest traits. It would be the last great album the band turned out, and is one of the very best of the 70s. (10/10)