Overview:
Led Zeppelin IV (the album also goes by Zoso, Four Symbols, or the Runes Album because it is officially untitled) is possibly the best album the group ever turned out. Of all of the best Zeppelin Albums, this one is the most well rounded. Unlike Zeppelin I-III, Physical Graffiti, and Houses of the Holy, there is nothing bordering on filler on this album.
Each song is a classic, and each is worth listening to. The original album cover contained no writing on it, only four symbols. Each symbol represented each of the bands 4 members. The symbol ’’Zoso’’ represents Jimmy Page. The circle with the interlocking triangles represents John Paul Jones. The three interlocking circles represents John Bonham. And finally, the circle with the feather in it represents Robert Plant.
Tracks:
1) Black Dog - Zeppelin, in most of their albums, started out with a heavy rocker. This would be no exception. Black Dog is built on Plants vocals. The instrumentals are on and off throughout the song, usually stopping when plant belts out his vocals. Page at times seems to fall back on his guitar playing, and has to catch up. However, these things give the song its feeling. The song showcases the abilities of all the Zeppelin members at their best. Plant’s vocals are top notch on this track, as well as Page’s guitar riffs. Jones’ textures are smooth and creative while Bonham shows why he is the greatest hard rock drummer of all time.
The song itself refers to a being rejected by the one of your affections. The song title itself, however, has no actual relation to the https://lyrics. During the recording at Headley Grange, a black dog would walk in and out of recording sessions and eventually died inside the building. Zeppelin used this as inspiration for the song title. The song also contains one of Zeppelin’s finest and catchiest guitar riffs. This song is most likely the definitive Zeppelin hard rocker, and while its placement anywhere on the album would have been just fine, it was the perfect choice to start out this album. (10/10)
2) Rock And Roll - Another heavy rocker. However, this one is more fluent. This song, along with Black Dog, will excite the listener. They also (and more importantly) set the stage for some slower, quieter, and longer songs that follow. (9.5/10)
3) Battle Of Evermore - There are two schools of thought on this song. Some people believe that this song is about British lore or mythology. Others believe this song is about Lord of the Rings (which Zeppelin were big fans of). Either way, this is a very good song. Sandy Denny appears in this song, singing along with Plant. This gives the song a softer more epic feel. However, the song is greater overshadowed by the monster that is about to come. (9/10)
4) Stairway To Heaven - Considered by many to be the greatest song of all time. It is without question Zeppelin’s most famous song. The song is so great, that although there is meaning behind it, the exact meaning is left to be figured out by the listener. There are stories about how this song was created. At Headley Grange in the early 70s, Page played a instrumental he had been working on for Plant. Plant responded by writing 90% of the lyrics right there and then.
They claimed that, ’’something else was moving the pen.’’ Whether that is true or not, the song is about Spiritual Perfection, Greed, and Hope. The song speaks of a lady, who has to choice between two paths, Spiritual perfection and Greed. At the end it is said she choices greed, but it goes on to say there is still hope, for her and for you, the listener.
This song also includes, what is in my opinion and many others, the greatest guitar solo of all time. No other Zeppelin song can move a person like this can, with the possible exception of Kashmir. This is Zeppelin’s greatest song. A perfect score. The only reason this song gets only ten points is because that’s the scoring limit. Otherwise this song would be getting 100. (10/10)
5) Misty Mountain Hop - After two long, epic songs. Zeppelin reclaims their humor with this Hippie satire. This song has a very upbeat feel. A perfect song to mix up the album after Battle Of Evermore and Stairway To Heaven. (8.5/10)
6) Four Sticks - The song gets its name from Bonham’s four stick method of drumming for this song. Another very upbeat song, however, you get a different feel from this song. It may not be as good as the song before, but it’s definitely a good showing of Bonham’s drums. (8/10)
7) Going To California - Zeppelin again goes to the slower, quieter song style with this song. Going To California is probably the most underrated song on the album, and surely one of the best. It shows a whole different side of Zeppelin that wasn’t as apparent on the other tracks. (9.5/10)
8) When The Levee Breaks - To round out the album, and to give it the full feeling of a epic, Zeppelin plays the blues at their finest. The true equal to Stairway on the album, makes the whole thing feel more balanced. An excellent way to round out an excellent album. (10/10)
Conclusion: Never a dull moment on the album. The whole thing is filled with variety and is organized brilliantly. A must have for any Zeppelin fan (although that goes without saying). It is the crowning moment for the definitive rock band of the 70s. If you haven’t been exposed to Zeppelin yet, and want to, this is the perfect place to start. (10/10)