Led Zeppelin's Debut Album--The Beginning of Metal?

Some would argue that with their debut album, Led Zeppelin began the musical genre which we would come to know as heavy metal. I don't know about that, but the sound of Led Zeppelin is certainly heavy--I know that they created that word.

Led Zeppelin, by Led Zeppelin, was recorded in London in October of 1968, and released on the Atlantic label on January 12, 1969. The band was formed by Jimmy Page, the Yardbird refugee, and included a young, unknown singer named Robert Plant, who was recruited for his incredible vocal range. John Paul Jones on bass guitar and John Bonham on drums round out the band, and believe me when I say that all of these musicians were world-class players. Their contributions to this album are as follows:

Jimmy Page, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, pedal steel guitar and
backing vocals
Robert Plant, vocals and harmonica
John Paul Jones, bass, organ and backing vocals
John Bonham, drums, tympani, backing vocals

The following is a list of the songs on the album, and a brief description of each.

1. Good Times Bad Times--This songs starts with some powerful guitar chords and some over the top drumming by Bonzo Bonham. John Bonham played his double bass drums like they were tom-toms, and thereby influenced a whole generation of drummers. The tune itself is very representative of the Led Zeppelin sound, featuring some high-range vocals by Plant and a big guitar solo by Jimmy Page. Page used certain effects on his guitar which made it sound like he was playing in an arena all of the time, and the effects work here to give his guitar a big expansive sound.

2. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You--This song demonstrates why Jimmy Page is the most versatile guitarist in the world. His acoustic guitar work is his trademark, and this song showcases his talents with that instrument. Robert Plant's vocals are soulful, and when the entire band gets involved, the sound is really heavy. This song proves that you don't have to have a loud, distorted guitar to make heavy music. All it takes is a little talent and a lot of feeling. This tune is long on both.

3. You Shook Me--This a song co-written by Jimmy Page's idol, bluesman Willie Dixon. Page's blues credentials are extensive and unquestioned; in this song he shows us that he knows how to play blues guitar. Robert Plant provides just the right harmonica touch, and the organ instrumental by John Paul Jones is certainly bluesy enough. At times in the song, Robert Plant's vocal delivery gets a little vague, but he is just beginning to learn his craft--by the time the band records Since I've Been Loving You on Led Zeppelin III, Plant has mastered the style. The vocal-guitar interplay late in the song is magnificent. Bonzo Bonham's drums are relentless and provide just the right backdrop for Page to play off of. The effects on the guitar are a perfect example of the "big" sound I was trying to describe earlier.

4. Dazed And Confused--I describe this song as "dark blues". The beat is slow and ponderous, and the music is about as heavy as it can get. In the instrumental portion of the song, the bass and drums have some intricate interplay, and are soon joined by Pages's electric guitar, which he attacks with a bow. His solo is electrifying, and begins after the tempo picks up. After the solo, the song reverts back to the slow, ponderous tempo it began with. Plant's vocals are just bluesy enough and he manages to project his sincerity and his sorrows upon the listener. The tune ends with some more of that intricate instrumental interplay.

5. Your Time Is Gonna Come--A really churchy sounding organ opens this one, and it again features some outstanding acoustic work by Jimmy Page. Robert Plant furnishes an excellent vocal contribution about his unfaithful woman and what's eventually in store for her. Bonham gives us some long drum fills and some really tasteful rolls. The little pedal steel guitar lick that Page plays sets the song off just right.

6. Black Mountain Side--This is all about Jimmy Page's acoustic guitar--his fingerpicking is magnificent. The Indian tabla drums are furnished by Viram Jasani. No vocals on this one, just the acoustic guitar and percussion.

7. Communication Breakdown--Talk about raw, this is the one! What a fantastic high-energy rave up! A crimped, throbbing electric guitar opens this one, and the song features some high-end vocals by Robert Plant that literally scream. Drums and bass really push the beat and you can imagine Page strangling his guitar during his solo. For my money, some of the best rock n' roll on cd.

8. I Can't Quit You Baby--Another song written by the legendary Willie Dixon. This tune just demonstrates how well four white boys from England can play the blues. Plant's vocals are again a little vague, but at this point he's still mastering his craft. The drums and bass are a little loose on this one, but that just enhances the bluesy feel. Jimmy Page's guitar is again incredible. The point in his solo where everything stops but the guitar is full of feeling, and the whole effect of the song makes you feel like your'e in a roadhouse in Mississippi or somewhere. An incredible performance by the whole band.

9. How Many More Times--Drums and bass start this one out, which by the way is the perfect way to end this album. A little wah-wah guitar and then the electric guitar riff that dominates this song begins. With this song, Led Zeppelin puts their signature on the blues, and they do it in a way that is unique to them--sort of "rock n' roll blues". Plant's delivery is impeccable, and after the instrumental interlude with electric guitar effects, and some bowed guitar, the band crashes into another variation ("little Robert, he wants to come and play" and "they call me the hunter...."). The dominant electric guitar riff begins again, and the song winds down a spectacular album.

Whether Led Zeppelin was the first metal band is subject to debate. No matter which theory you subscribe to, this album is important, if for no other reason than it was the debut album of one of the greatest bands in rock n' roll history.