Led Zeppelin IV--Led Zeppelin Soars

With Led Zeppelin IV, released in 1971, Led Zeppelin completed the transition (or progression, if you will) from a blues-based band to a rock n' roll band. There is some good acoustic work on this album and some alternative instrumentation, such as mandolin, flute and different forms of percussion, but this one goes solidly in the category of rock n' roll. The world-class musicians who comprised this band all turn in performances on this album which is worthy of their respective reputations.

A list of the tracks, and my comments on each, follows:

1. Black Dog--Led Zeppelin has always been a band that was a slave to the beat, and this song creates no exception. The beat to this tune is not in 4/4; I really can't identify the time signature. I can say that the beat is very confusing--the guitar riff, bottomed and followed by the bass guitar line, is very fast, in direct conflict to the drum line, which is somewhat slow, except for the accents. The result is almost a "timeless" beat--I know that's not true--the song has a definite structure. I'm just talking about the feel that the song conveys. Page plays an incredible guitar solo, and Plant's vocals are effective, particularly when the band stops and he is left to his own devices. Even though their transformation to rock n' roll is complete, Plant can't resist a blues lyric--"I don't know what I've been told, big-legged woman ain't got no soul".

2. Rock And Roll--The title accurately describes this one. A cymbal-heavy drum intro starts the tune and before you know it, you're in the middle of Led Zeppelin's version of good ole rock n' roll. All performances are excellent, and there's even a reference to "the book of love", an obscure lyric in an old Buddy Holly song.

3. The Battle of Evermore--Another example of this band's fascination with all things mythological. I'm really not familiar with the scenes that the lyrics are describing, but in listening to them it is apparent that the subject is either entirely fictional or mythological in nature.
The musical feature is a very busy mandolin, backed by an equally busy acoustic guitar. Plant's lead vocals are impressive in giving his treatment to a folk-like song, and the harmonies, which are always rare on a Led Zeppelin recording, are superb.

4. Stairway To Heaven--This is probably the most recognized and popular Led Zeppelin song, as well as the most over-played and over-analyzed. Musically, this song has it all--an acoustic guitar opening accompanied by a flute , a gorgeous electric twelve-string guitar that enters later in the song, and a guitar solo at the end that practically screams. Jimmy Page has always used the delay effect, reverb and echo-plex to stylize his sound, and his solo is a perfect example of his sound. It sounds vast, "arena" big, and soulful. Robert Plant proves he has a ballad-worthy voice, until the end, when he joins in the screaming in a tremendous high range performance. John Paul Jones and John Bonham don't play until very late in the song, but when they enter, they beautifully ornament the groove that Page and Plant have created. This tune's a classic.

5. Misty Mountain Hop--A hammering piano line, joined by a guitar riff, start this song. Again, the time is somewhat confusing until the choruses, but John Bonham's beat keeps the song together. This might be Plant's best vocal performance on the album. Harmonies pop up again as an added treat, and the the lines are delivered with intensity and feeling. Page's guitar solo consists of two or three guitars playing harmonies, and the effect is again immense. This is one of my favorite Zep songs, unheralded as it is.

6. Four Sticks--Another song where the beat is confusing and tugs at the listener. Musically, the song is a little murky and on the low side, and a little lacking in structure. Robert Plant's vocals are excellent, but they seem a little out of place in this song. There is a lot of percussion in this song, a little acoustic guitar, and a mellotron line in the choruses. As the years went by Led Zeppelin began making the mellotron an integral part of their music.

7. Going To California--An acoustic song featuring Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Page plays an acoustic guitar, mandolin and banjo and Robert Plant's vocals make the mood of the song. This song is not Indian-influenced at all, but it exemplifies the band's increasing use of acoustic and traditional instruments in their music.

8. When The Levee Breaks--A ponderous drum beat kicks this song off, and the song maintains the ponderous beat throughout. Robert Plant plays an excellent harmonica part in this one, and although the song is a little monotonous, the quality of the musicians and the way they play off of each other keeps it interesting. Page gives us a little of the slide guitar that he plays so expertly, and it compliments perfectly the harmonica jam that Plant contributes.

Led Zeppelin IV is just another example of how a band evolves. This album makes their break with their blues roots complete, and begins the style of music that would make them one of the biggest influences in the rock n' roll and metal genre. The album is not as good as a lot of their work, both before and after, but it's still very good.