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.