Total Listens At Time of Press: 9
To call Physical Graffiti "Led Zeppelin's White Album" would be too simplistic. It would also be accurate, but that is beside the point. And it's fun to use The Beatles as shorthand when talking about music. But I've found a shocking lack of knowledge in the general populace. Folks, we need to bone up on our Beatles. Seriously. What was I talking about? Led Zeppelin. Right. My bad.
Every Led Zeppelin album listener probably has the same take on Physical Graffiti: not my favorite, but has some really strong songs...I appreciate the sheer size of the effort and range. This is because there are so many entry points here. You can hear the brutal first albums and the more thoughtful middle albums. So while fans all say there are peaks and valleys to Physical Graffiti, they are using different cartographers. Of course the folks that enjoy the tracks that sound like Led Zeppelin II are the only ones who are correct.
Overwrought Section
And endless landscape where desert meets glacier, and land touches sky. You will find a favorite room behind one of these doors, but it's also fun to get lost in the mansion.
Best Track: In My Time Of Dying
Even though Sick Again and Wanton Song are closer to my sex rock heart, In My Time of Dying is truly a masterwork. All three are excellent at high volume, but there is something else going on with In My Time. It's the song that stays in your head after you leave the car. And as eulogy songs go, I think this is the one I want to have playing at my funeral. Though it has regret and pleading with Jesus, it also looks death in the eye and dares the Grim Reaper to take the singer's soul. Death won't take him alive.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Album: Houses of the Holy (1973)
Total Listens At Time of Press: 9
I have the sneaking suspicion that greatness is mostly a decision (I don't care that the awesome cover art is the result of a tinting accident. Just shut up about that). One must choose to be great and then simply go to it. But after achieving greatness, what does the champion do? Is it harder to get to the top, or to keep from falling off the summit?
The oldest member of the band, Jimmy Page, was 29 when this album was released. But record sounds like it was recorded by a much older group. I wonder if they knew Led Zeppelin IV would be so well regarded in the future. Can an artist really understand the impact of their work? Once you complete a masterwork, does the artist relax a little? I think some might. But even if the grip is looser, Led still swings the Hammer of Thunder. And it still knocks you to the ground.
Overwrought Section
The battle scars of the old warrior clan tingle and ache in the sweaty sun. Each wound a story. They don't move as fast, but somehow the enemies still fall.
Best Track: Over the Hills and Far Away
When caught between two loves, it is better to make a choice and move on with your life. But if the loves are acoustic folk and electric rock, why not choose both? And when you have Jimmy Page, pretty much anything is possible. Reminiscing is a romantic and sometimes depressing activity, but if you remember that there is still loves and gazes left unfound on the open road, nostalgia can be a kick in the ass. It is on this track.
I have the sneaking suspicion that greatness is mostly a decision (I don't care that the awesome cover art is the result of a tinting accident. Just shut up about that). One must choose to be great and then simply go to it. But after achieving greatness, what does the champion do? Is it harder to get to the top, or to keep from falling off the summit?
The oldest member of the band, Jimmy Page, was 29 when this album was released. But record sounds like it was recorded by a much older group. I wonder if they knew Led Zeppelin IV would be so well regarded in the future. Can an artist really understand the impact of their work? Once you complete a masterwork, does the artist relax a little? I think some might. But even if the grip is looser, Led still swings the Hammer of Thunder. And it still knocks you to the ground.
Overwrought Section
The battle scars of the old warrior clan tingle and ache in the sweaty sun. Each wound a story. They don't move as fast, but somehow the enemies still fall.
Best Track: Over the Hills and Far Away
When caught between two loves, it is better to make a choice and move on with your life. But if the loves are acoustic folk and electric rock, why not choose both? And when you have Jimmy Page, pretty much anything is possible. Reminiscing is a romantic and sometimes depressing activity, but if you remember that there is still loves and gazes left unfound on the open road, nostalgia can be a kick in the ass. It is on this track.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Album: Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Total Listens At Time Of Press: 12
Music will never be heard in chronological order ever again. The number of people who were at the beginning of pop music is getting smaller everyday. This is tragic. But there's nothing to be done about this. And this creates a weird problem: there are great musical moments that can never be discovered. Take the song Stairway to Heaven. I have never lived in a world where this song didn't exist. Stairway has always been. And what's more, I've never lived in a world where Led Zeppelin's influence isn't felt. Growing up in the 1980's, and then listening to the albums, it becomes obvious that all those metal bands were ripping these dudes off. The whole freaking decade could be skipped in an afternoon by simply "Gettin' The Led Out". Of course this isn't news to anyone but me and anyone who hasn't listened to both 80's hair metal and Led Zeppelin IV.
So this impacts anyone who tries to go back and listen to these albums. No longer can you discover songs like Stairway or Rock and Roll because you've already heard them without trying. Persons with ears living near a TV will know it's been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely lonely lonely lonely lonely time before they understand those words. They will know them as take their first steps...as they wind on down the road. It kind of sucks because you aren't sure if you love these songs because they are great or because you know it so well? It's like being asked if you love your intestines. I guess everyone loves their intestines, but does anyone have a choice?
Overwrought Section
The Gods of Olympus quake in fear as the titans of Led Zeppelin burn the sky. Greatness is merely a footnote on this excursion to flatten the mountains of rock.
Best Track (Besides Stairway to Heaven and Black Dog): Going To California
This is the acoustic track that Led Zepplin III meant to deliver. It's this beautiful flower growing amidst the scorched earth. It's the calm before the storm of When The Levees Break. I feel like I can't explain it outside of the context of the album. Battle For Evermore is really good, but for an acoustic song, it crackles with energy. California is sleepy and drowsy. It doesn't fit on the album, but somehow works perfectly. Even after twelve listens it surprises me. It grabs my attention. It rocks.
Music will never be heard in chronological order ever again. The number of people who were at the beginning of pop music is getting smaller everyday. This is tragic. But there's nothing to be done about this. And this creates a weird problem: there are great musical moments that can never be discovered. Take the song Stairway to Heaven. I have never lived in a world where this song didn't exist. Stairway has always been. And what's more, I've never lived in a world where Led Zeppelin's influence isn't felt. Growing up in the 1980's, and then listening to the albums, it becomes obvious that all those metal bands were ripping these dudes off. The whole freaking decade could be skipped in an afternoon by simply "Gettin' The Led Out". Of course this isn't news to anyone but me and anyone who hasn't listened to both 80's hair metal and Led Zeppelin IV.
So this impacts anyone who tries to go back and listen to these albums. No longer can you discover songs like Stairway or Rock and Roll because you've already heard them without trying. Persons with ears living near a TV will know it's been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely lonely lonely lonely lonely time before they understand those words. They will know them as take their first steps...as they wind on down the road. It kind of sucks because you aren't sure if you love these songs because they are great or because you know it so well? It's like being asked if you love your intestines. I guess everyone loves their intestines, but does anyone have a choice?
Overwrought Section
The Gods of Olympus quake in fear as the titans of Led Zeppelin burn the sky. Greatness is merely a footnote on this excursion to flatten the mountains of rock.
Best Track (Besides Stairway to Heaven and Black Dog): Going To California
This is the acoustic track that Led Zepplin III meant to deliver. It's this beautiful flower growing amidst the scorched earth. It's the calm before the storm of When The Levees Break. I feel like I can't explain it outside of the context of the album. Battle For Evermore is really good, but for an acoustic song, it crackles with energy. California is sleepy and drowsy. It doesn't fit on the album, but somehow works perfectly. Even after twelve listens it surprises me. It grabs my attention. It rocks.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Album: Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Total Listens At Time Of Press: 6
The example I usually bring up when this kind of thing happens is Weezer. Weezer can never make a good album again. This is because of The Blue Album. Every album they make is subconciously compared to it and is always found lacking. Of course someone right now is saying how much they love Pinkerton but they are just fooling themselves. And it's unfair because if some other band released The Green Album or Make Believe it would be impressive. In essence, Weezer is punished for being great in the past.
And so we arrive at Led Zeppelin III. Now it's not because it's mostly acoustic that this album feels like a dip in the road. The truth, I think, is much simpler. The band just sounds exhausted. After two albums in a year and massive touring, they try and fuel this album on adrenaline and there is just none left in the tank. Led had to do it differently. Different, in music, is usually met with resistance. If you were great in the past, the fans wonder why you would ever want to evolve. Just ask Weezer.
Overwrought Section
After the sweaty muscles and flesh are removed from the monster, a haunted, ghastly skeleton remains. It's more chills than thrills, but it still rocks.
Best Track: Immigrant Song
It's about a viking invasion. And it sounds exactly like one. Axe-swinging and galloping over all who dare to listen. Never has subject matter and sound so matched up perfectly. It is your overlord!
The example I usually bring up when this kind of thing happens is Weezer. Weezer can never make a good album again. This is because of The Blue Album. Every album they make is subconciously compared to it and is always found lacking. Of course someone right now is saying how much they love Pinkerton but they are just fooling themselves. And it's unfair because if some other band released The Green Album or Make Believe it would be impressive. In essence, Weezer is punished for being great in the past.
And so we arrive at Led Zeppelin III. Now it's not because it's mostly acoustic that this album feels like a dip in the road. The truth, I think, is much simpler. The band just sounds exhausted. After two albums in a year and massive touring, they try and fuel this album on adrenaline and there is just none left in the tank. Led had to do it differently. Different, in music, is usually met with resistance. If you were great in the past, the fans wonder why you would ever want to evolve. Just ask Weezer.
Overwrought Section
After the sweaty muscles and flesh are removed from the monster, a haunted, ghastly skeleton remains. It's more chills than thrills, but it still rocks.
Best Track: Immigrant Song
It's about a viking invasion. And it sounds exactly like one. Axe-swinging and galloping over all who dare to listen. Never has subject matter and sound so matched up perfectly. It is your overlord!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Album: Led Zepplin II (1969)
Total Listens At Time Of Press: 8
What's really cool about this album is how well it showcases the individual parts of the group. Jones on "The Lemon Song" and "Ramble On", Bohnam on "Moby Dick", and Page and Plant throughout, but especially on "Whole Lotta Love". I'd always assumed Led Zeppelin was good, but I'm finding out just how good during this project. I've tried this before with The Who and The Rolling Stones but I was left disappointed. The Who are too much in the head, too serious. The Stones too much in the heart, too playful. Zep seems to head right for both the head and the heart via the balls. It's all sex. Parents must have hated them.
Overwrought Section
Zep takes the listener on a bus ride through the seediest red-light district, never stopping, only speeding up until it crashes and explodes in a fireball. Forget "Whole Lotta Love", the whole album is an orgasm section.
Best Track (Other Than "Whole Lotta Love") - The Lemon Song
Coarse talk between men is usually uncreative and silly. I guess the vulgarity reminds one of the male obligation to be tough even though the activity is mostly childish. But when that same talk is directed to a woman it takes on a darker hue. It becomes dangerous. And somehow, when set to the slow, slushy music as it is in The Lemon Song, it is also angelic.
What's really cool about this album is how well it showcases the individual parts of the group. Jones on "The Lemon Song" and "Ramble On", Bohnam on "Moby Dick", and Page and Plant throughout, but especially on "Whole Lotta Love". I'd always assumed Led Zeppelin was good, but I'm finding out just how good during this project. I've tried this before with The Who and The Rolling Stones but I was left disappointed. The Who are too much in the head, too serious. The Stones too much in the heart, too playful. Zep seems to head right for both the head and the heart via the balls. It's all sex. Parents must have hated them.
Overwrought Section
Zep takes the listener on a bus ride through the seediest red-light district, never stopping, only speeding up until it crashes and explodes in a fireball. Forget "Whole Lotta Love", the whole album is an orgasm section.
Best Track (Other Than "Whole Lotta Love") - The Lemon Song
Coarse talk between men is usually uncreative and silly. I guess the vulgarity reminds one of the male obligation to be tough even though the activity is mostly childish. But when that same talk is directed to a woman it takes on a darker hue. It becomes dangerous. And somehow, when set to the slow, slushy music as it is in The Lemon Song, it is also angelic.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Album: Led Zeppelin (1969)
Total Listens At Time Of Press: 5
Why were the artists of the middle of the 20th century so obsessed with black music? And by black music I mean the blues. As a younger person, I had no appreciation for the form. It was slow, repetitive, kind of boring. Teenagers are shallow. Of course they don't understand why the blues are so good. Now that I have felt the highs and lows of life I get it. I get the obsession. The blues get you closer to the source. The blues is pure. It articulates the pain. Created by a people crushed by slavery and segregation it makes no excuses and reminds you that hurting proves that you're alive. Because I can never fully appreciate the struggle, maybe I can never fully appreciate the music. But that doesn't stop me from trying. And it didn't stop Led Zeppelin either.
Overwrought SectionThe cry of Otis Redding heart ache lifts you to heaven as the burn of guitar-shaped branding-irons sink into your stomach. If you can keep from moving your hips, you are a eunuch.
Best Track - Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
A song so dedicated to convincing her that he won't leave belies the fact that he will. The couple is doomed by their supreme passion and the music reflects the peaks and valleys. One minute blazing hot the next cold and cruel. Loving too much never sounded so good.
Why were the artists of the middle of the 20th century so obsessed with black music? And by black music I mean the blues. As a younger person, I had no appreciation for the form. It was slow, repetitive, kind of boring. Teenagers are shallow. Of course they don't understand why the blues are so good. Now that I have felt the highs and lows of life I get it. I get the obsession. The blues get you closer to the source. The blues is pure. It articulates the pain. Created by a people crushed by slavery and segregation it makes no excuses and reminds you that hurting proves that you're alive. Because I can never fully appreciate the struggle, maybe I can never fully appreciate the music. But that doesn't stop me from trying. And it didn't stop Led Zeppelin either.
Overwrought SectionThe cry of Otis Redding heart ache lifts you to heaven as the burn of guitar-shaped branding-irons sink into your stomach. If you can keep from moving your hips, you are a eunuch.
Best Track - Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
A song so dedicated to convincing her that he won't leave belies the fact that he will. The couple is doomed by their supreme passion and the music reflects the peaks and valleys. One minute blazing hot the next cold and cruel. Loving too much never sounded so good.
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