Led Zeppelin IV (aka ZOSO) [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Also known as the "rune" album or Zoso because of the medieval symbols adorning the inner sleeve, Led Zeppelin's fourth album, released in 1971, turned them from mere superstars into giant behemoths of the rock world. On tracks like "Black Dog," "Misty Mountain Hop," and "Rock and Roll," the combination of Robert Plant's banshee wails and Jimmy Page's frenetic guitar playing forever altered the stylistic bent of hard rock music. And the foreboding "When the Levee Breaks" demonstrated that Zeppelin could indeed play the blues fairly straight if they so desired. Still, everything here ultimately took a back seat to the album's (and, ultimately, the band's) magnum opus--the expertly constructed and deftly executed classic, "Stairway to Heaven." --Billy Altman

Amazon.com
Jimmy Page was a top London studio guitarist before he got rich and famous as the musical leader of Led Zeppelin. The group's fourth--and arguably their finest--album is as much a tribute to his technique as a monument to his versatility. Page produced the album, co-wrote all eight songs, and played mandolin as well as all the guitars. Musically, this 1971 disc ranges from acoustic English folke ("Goin' to California" and "The Battle of Evermore," the latter featuring the... read more

Led Zeppelin IV (aka ZOSO) [Original recording remastered]

Tracks:

Black Dog
Rock And Roll
The Battle Of Evermore
Stairway To Heaven
Misty Mountain Hop
Four Sticks
Going To California
When The Levee Breaks

Amazon.com essential recording

Also known as the "rune" album or Zoso because of the medieval symbols adorning the inner sleeve, Led Zeppelin's fourth album, released in 1971, turned them from mere superstars into giant behemoths of the rock world. On tracks like "Black Dog," "Misty Mountain Hop," and "Rock and Roll," the combination of Robert Plant's banshee wails and Jimmy Page's frenetic guitar playing forever altered the stylistic bent of hard rock music. And the foreboding "When the Levee Breaks" demonstrated that Zeppelin could indeed play the blues fairly straight if they so desired. Still, everything here ultimately took a back seat to the album's (and, ultimately, the band's) magnum opus--the expertly constructed and deftly executed classic, "Stairway to Heaven." --Billy Altman

Amazon.com

Jimmy Page was a top London studio guitarist before he got rich and famous as the musical leader of Led Zeppelin. The group's fourth--and arguably their finest--album is as much a tribute to his technique as a monument to his versatility. Page produced the album, co-wrote all eight songs, and played mandolin as well as all the guitars. Musically, this 1971 disc ranges from acoustic English folke ("Goin' to California" and "The Battle of Evermore," the latter featuring the late Fairport Convention frontwoman Sandy Denny) to bone-crushing, bluesy riff-slinging. On the album's centerpiece, "Stairway to Heaven," these light and dark strains are dramatically intertwined. The chiming "Four Sticks" aside, it's the Little Richard-inspired "Rock and Roll" and the tricky time changes--a Zeppelin trademark--of the fast-and-furious "Black Dog" that elevate this album into more than just a bustle in aspiring guitarists' hedgerows. --Don Waller

Customer Reviews:

The Essence of Rock and Roll.......2007-07-07

The original and definitive heavy metal band, Led Zeppelin made their mark in several other categories with their fourth album. The vocals of Robert Plant, guitar playing of Jimmy Page, and drumming of John Bonham are all the stuff of legend. John Paul Jones brings extra versatility and originality on bass, keyboard AND acoustic guitar. The songs:

Black Dog - blues-influenced (like a lot of earlier Zeppelin), loud and raunchy (in the best kind of way), some over-the-top vocal stylings
Rock And Roll - barn-burning blues and a great vehicle to show off one of the greatest rock drummers ever
The Battle Of Evermore - inventive art rock that proved that these guys were not only great rockers, but great artists as well
Stairway To Heaven - the definitive power ballad
Misty Mountain Hop - more barn-burning blues with monstrously huge guitar sounds and distinctive electric piano riff
Four Sticks - raucous art rock, using a crazy time signature and chord voicing that few bands other than Rush and Jethro Tull would dare to touch
Going To California - yes, they can do acoustic folk rock better than anyone else too
When The Levee Breaks - more rowdy blues, this time with some gritty harmonica to give it a different vibe

The production and engineering behind this album are the icing on the cake. Recording students are still studying and copying this stuff and trying to reproduce the "Bonham drum sound" to this day. The generous echoes and overdubs on Plant's vocals somehow never seem overdone or dated.

This is the amazing work of an amazing team of players and recording experts on their best days ever. Rock fans should be intimately familiar with this timeless and hugely influential CD.

brings back memories........2007-06-20

i know that a lot of people claim to have gone to the original woodstock concert, but i really did. and of all the great bands who played there, this was the best. i will never forget their great set. the lead singer and guitarist was a black man who played his guitar left-handed. the best song they played there was a great, great song about somebody named Purple Hayes, who could get into your mind. i think the title of the song was "Purple Hayes." unfortunately i have never been able to find that song on an album, but this album is great anyway. i just discovered it, and it is full of great songs. there is one song here called "Stairway to Heaven," which is about a stairway that goes up to Heaven. cool. and there is other neat stuff, too. get this record. you should. and if anyone knows what album "Purple Hayes" is on, please please please let me know.

ZOSO.......2007-06-12

This is the album that got me in to Zepp, and the first one I ever bought.
This ground breaking recording was Zepplin's #1 album, and if this would have been the only album they would released, I think they still would have had just as much of and impact on the world as they do now.

1. Black Dog- Strange name but awesome song, and one of the best riffs ever!!! 5/5

2. Rock And Roll- This song is exactilly what the name is; Rock And Roll. It's Zeppelin at their best, Jimmy Page's solo is simply amazing and fits with the song. Perfect riff, Perferct title, and a perfect solo make this song, well...perfect! 5/5

3. Battle of Evermore- It's always nice to slow it up a bit with some thing accustic, and "Battle Of Evermore" is that something accustic. This song really shows off Robert Plant's vocal range and fetures matiline. Bring it Back! 5/5

4. Stairway to Heaven- This is a song that needs no introduction, it's such a totamic peace of music, mainly because it is a constant climing song. It has some of the stragest lyrics of all time, and is known for having a backwards massage. Message or not it is still an amazing song, and Jimmy gives one of the best solos ever. 5/5

5. Misty Mountain Hop- This is the first Zeppelin song I ever heard and it still rocks. Greatest riff of all time? Maybe, but one thing that I know that everyone thinks at some point is, "What the hell is a Misty Mountain Hop?" The world may never know. 5/5

6. Four Sticks- This is a highly underratted song. It has tons of cool elements about it, Electric and accustic guitar parts, cool vocals, and great keyboard. Classic hard rock song. 5/5

7. Going To California- Another accustic song, nice and mellow. 4/5

8. When the Leeve Breaks- Best drum beat ever, provided by the one and only Bonzo. Heavy riff with some harmonica, great way to finish off a great album. 4.5/5

Led Zeppelin made their mark on the world with this one, legend- Chuck

Simply the Best.......2007-06-04

I would like to start this review by stating that this is, arguably, the greatest rock album ever recorded. I don't see how it has an overall 4.5 star rating and it's all of the idiotic 1-star reviews that bring it down. I'm not calling it the best rock album of all time because I'm giving in to the hype about it, because I'm not. I own it and have listened through it over a hundred times so I am more than familiar with it, along with the rest of Zeppelin's music. This is simply the most complete, diverse and distinctive album ever. Not only are Plant, Page, Jones and Bonham gods of their instruments but they are likewise with song writing. The songs range from funky rock and roll (Black Dog, Rock and Roll) to groovy melodies (Misty Mountain Hop) to the more melodic ballads (Battle of Evermore, Going to California) to the epic heavy hitters on the album, Stairway and When the Levee Breaks. These four guys have mastered blues-inspired rock and roll and play it like no other. Jimmy Page is equally masterful and brilliant with the electric and acoustic guitars and his melodies are some of the most unconventional, odd time-signatured yet captivating ever. This is the quintissential hard rock album and it seems like all other albums should be measured up against this one.

I give every single song on this album a 10/10 with the exception of Four Sticks, which I would give a 9.5. Albums can't really rate much higher.

These are the gods of rock and this is their masterpiece. No person who claims to listen to rock should be without it. Don't pay any attention to the 1-star reviews, or the 2- and 3- star reviews, for that matter. They are ridiculous and written solely out of rebellion. Let them listen to their Fallout Boys and Nirvanas and Panic at the Discos. This is real music.

I am someone who usually does not give in to fads and trends just for the sake of doing it, but Led Zeppelin IV is a trend that I can't help but follow. It's simply the best..

Soulful ,Passionate and Emotional Brilliance !.......2007-05-30

Masterpiece, Robert's singing seems more Emotional and Inspiring than opera !
Black Dog and Going to California are my particular favorites on this CD. Sung with his needy , yearning, whining soul !

Got to buy it !

Average customer rating:

Led Zeppelin isn't God: Film At Eleven
The greatness of this album is no myth!
Please don't call it "ZOSO"!
Not high art, just great rock 'n' roll from Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin IV (Zoso)
Led Zeppelin
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
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Led Zeppelin II
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ASIN: B000065LZE
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Customer Reviews:

Led Zeppelin isn't God: Film At Eleven.......2006-02-10

Led Zeppelin IV reminds me of a balance scale. On one side of the balance it's got Black Dog. It's got Rock and Roll. It's obviously got Stairway to Heaven. And it's got When the Levee Breaks. Of course, this represents all the excellent material that can be found here. And on Early Days...more with that later. On the other hand, it's got Battle of Evermore. It's got Misty Mountain Hop. It's got Four Sticks (the second-worst Song Led Zeppelin Ever recorded, for the record). And it's got Goin' to California. In other words, it's an uneven mess--literally every good song has its bad counterpart. Call me insane, say I'm comitting Rock 'n Roll Suicide, flame me, give me all the "not-helpful" votes you want, dub me a blasphemer...but I'd skip it and by Early Days, which contains the album's best material in my mind. Then buy I, II and Physical Graffitti, and you'll have maximum Zeppelin.
And to all of the "Zeppelin-is-god" people...PLEASE! In spite of all their talents, Led Zeppelin is simply a rock band, nothing more and nothing less. And anybody who believes that Led Zeppelin IV is mankind's greatest achievement has never heard of some slightly more practical things, such as agriculture, the domestication of animals, written/spoken language and electricity.

The greatness of this album is no myth!.......2005-11-05

Led Zeppelin IV (AKA 'Untitled', 'Zoso' or 'Four Symbols') (1971.), Led Zeppelin's fourth studio album

At the end of the 1960's and start of the 70's, Led Zeppelin proved themselves to be an utterly groundbreaking band. The band were a worldwide success, with their first three albums selling in their thousands. After the release of their great acoustic album, Led Zeppelin III, the band returned to their recording studio, an old workhouse called Headley Grange, to put together more new material. Originally designated to be a set of 4 EP releases; due to a number of delays, the material the band recorded in early 1971 was put into one album. In Novemeber 1971, the album, with cover not displaying the band's name or album title on the front was released. That said, Led Zeppelin IV has gone on to be Led Zeppelin's biggest selling album and is the greatest selling hard rock album of all time. So why has this strangely untitled album gone on to become an all time hit?

There is something mysterious and magical about Led Zeppelin IV; the packaging and the music on the album itself sees to that and that is part of what has attracted people to get this album over the years. It has that unknown element to it that makes it so special. Jimmy Page himself quoted that he would see if the music really would sell itself without the cover displaying the band's name. He was right to assume that because the music on this album really has sold itself; and it is a deserved thing too. Eventhough this is not my personal favourite Led Zeppelin album ('Houses Of The Holy' claims that honour in my mind') there is no denying that this album displays the band at their technical best and at their most ultimately consistent and refined. There is effortless confidence seeping through rockers like 'Black Dog' and 'Rock And Roll' plus the band also keep up with their acoustic tradition with songs like 'Going To California'. However, it is probably in 'Stairway To Heaven' that the album is ultimately confirmed as the band's most popular; given that this masterpiece of a song is perhaps the most played rock song of all time. All in all, this masterpiece has become a blueprint for many rock acts to follow. Page's riffs and solo performance's are legendary, Bonham's drumming is revolutionary on this album, JP Jones shows his adept ability on the keyboards once more and Plant's vocals capture the mythical lyrics based around this album. The work is barely flawed.

Led Zeppelin's prized masterpiece gets rolling with one of the all-time great openers in 'Black Dog'. The classic calling vocals from Plant echoed by some thunderous riffs from Page are awesome. This song is unbelievably assured ... and don't forget Page's exit solo; one of his best. Following this is the encore classic, 'Rock n' Roll'. The song's title speaks for itself; Bonham's drumming is furious and the band as a whole create loads of energy in this 3 minute rocker. Next we have a diverse acoustic based gem in 'Battle Of Evermore'. Guest mandolin player Sandy Denny adds an extra dimension to this song and the mysterious, mythical lyrics are great. After this song fades out, we come to the epic itself. 'Stairway To Heaven' is deservedly Led Zeppelin's most acclaimed song. Beautiful lyrics with a great fusion of acoustic and electric guitar sounds are legendary, as is Page's guitar solo. The end of the last verse line of 'To be a rock and not to roll' for me is timeless. What a song!

The second half of the album opens with keyboard backed rocker 'Misty Mountain Hop'. Another song with real attitude, the slightly dissonant melody works brilliantly. Plant's vocals are powerful. Next is 'Four Sticks', for me the albums only slight rough spot, but still a great track non the less. Bonham's drumming is complex and bubbling and Page's rolling riff is good though you feel as though it could have developed into something more by the end of the track. 'Going To California' is perhaps the highlight of the band's acoustic catalogue; an unbelievably relaxing tune with more great lyrics. Finally though, we come to 'When The Levee Breaks'. I don't care whether everyone else disagrees with me, this for me is the best track the band ever made. Bonham's opening drum sequence, full of energy, has become the most sampled drum sequence of all time and it makes a foreboding start to the song. Plant's vocals are assured and the mouthorgan part in the song adds a unique eeriness to the music. Oh and I forgot to mention the riff to the song ... legendary and thrilling; I never tire of this song.

Led Zeppelin IV is a masterpiece, no questions asked. This is the band at their technical and songwriting peak, and consistency wise, you couldn't ask for more in this album. The fact that this album sold so well eventhough the band's name isn't printed on the album just goes to show how good the music really is. If you are looking to get into Led Zeppelin's music or rock music in general, this album is a perfect place to start; this best selling album will get you hooked!

Please don't call it "ZOSO"!.......2005-08-16

Radio saturation of nearly every track on this record may jade some listeners into underappreciating just what a landmark album "IV" actually was. After getting the somber, acoustic vibe out of their system on the last album it was all systems go for the Page/Plant tandem, and what a one-two punch this one starts out with. "Black Dog" practically invented Whitesnake's entire oeuvre with it's demonic boogie riff and Plant's piercing shrieks, sex, violence and all manner of ritualistic hedonism smelted together into a cast iron monolith to perfection. Before "Rock and Roll" was relegated to automobile spots it put forth the notion: "what if crack had been invented back in Jerry Lee Lewis' heyday"? The fact that such an irrepressible hallelujah (you can't tell me this song isn't a spiritual experience) was created out of fairly sober minds (ok, there was the coke) is a tribute of the love for the genre these British lads proffered back in the day.

Proving "III" wasn't a fluke or botched experiment, "The Battle of Evermore" and "Stairway to Heaven" close out side one with ponderous odes to the band's Celtic heritage (the former) and God only knows (the latter). Lyrically "Evermore" is most akin to "The Immigrant Song", a Viking paeon from "III" that also ripped the paint off the walls, whereas "Evermore" is a gentler exploration of ancient British epic tales. On the other hand, scholars will be debating for centuries on the precise meaning of "Stairway" (I'd be satisfied with just narrowing down that "bustle in your hedgerow" business) but what is absolutely incontrovertible is it's significance in rock history, it's eternal place on "all time top 10" lists, and it's banishment from the ambience of guitar shops.

We're back in business on side two, opening with the breezy jam "Misty Mountain Hop", another flowers-in-their-hair anthem to unrestrained pleasure gratification. "Four Sticks" is another solid mid-tempo rocker showcasing Bonham's mastery of the skins while "Going to California" is an acoustic ballad which would also fit right at home on "III". Finally, Zep wrap it up with possibly the finest song on the album - and certainly one of the best of their career - an absolutely brain-mauling trawl through the blues staple "When the Levee Breaks". Plant's vocals bend, shriek, scrape, and soar through seven minutes of guitar sludge, intersticed with resounding harp moans echoing the browbeaten but defiant cries of the narrator. Simply astounding, heart shaking melodrama. Whoever said "always leave 'em wanting more" certainly got through to the boys in Led Zeppelin.

Not high art, just great rock 'n' roll from Led Zeppelin.......2005-07-01

In the history of rock and roll this album (known variously as "Led Zeppelin IV," "Runes" and "ZOSO") is one of the great albums of all time. The sales figures certainly back up that idea, with 22 million albums sold since it game out in 1971. When "Rolling Stone" magazine listed the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time "Led Zeppelin IV" came in at #66, while "Physical Grafitti" was #70 and "Led Zeppelin II" #75. Much higher on the list was the group's debut album at #29, which makes sense since the list favors albums that were influential and importance, which is why the Beatles have three of the top five (four of the top ten, five of the top fourteen).

If you do not like Led Zeppelin, then there is no earthly reason for this album to change your mind. But if you like their mix of rock, blues and folk, then you would definitely have to count this as one of their best albums. One of the things I find most interesting about this album is how each side (remember, it was actually a thing called a "record" way back when it first came out and there was an "A" side and a "B" side) is set up the same way: two hard rockers, an acoustic piece, and then a much longer track. "Side 1" ends with the classic "Stairway to Heaven," while "Side 2" brings Robert Plant's harmonica out of retirement for what might be the heaviest song in Led Zep's repertoire, "When the Levee Breaks." Jimmy Page always did pay attention to the order of the songs and this album clearly evidences the point.

Bonzo's drums on "Four Sticks" provides a nice contrast to Page's acoustic guitar on "Going to California," just as the dueling voices of Plant and Sandy Denny, the queen of British folk rock, on "The Battle of Evermore" (with its Tolkien references) fade away to set up the start of "Stairway." We actually used "Stairway to Heaven" for our homecoming song one year (we had a VERY good high school band teacher), so it always been a special song for me without bringing in the entire "most played song of FM radio" bit.

This is an atypical Led Zeppelin album in one significant regard in that it does not have a blues track (their best one, "Since I've Been Loving You," was on their previous album). So put this down as the best rock album by one of the best rock bands. Just because I do not want to anoint their feet with oil does not mean I do not think that they were damn good at what they did. One thing we can agree on: Led Zeppelin engenders strong feelings from both sides.

Average customer rating:

1994 vs 2003
THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN ALBUM ,RUNES,ZOSO
Mini Lp Sleeve
Zepp Rules
Seriously...?

Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005J8J6
Release Date: 2003-07-08

Tracks:

Black Dog
Rock and Roll
Battle of Evermore
Stairway to Heaven
Misty Mountain Hop
Four Sticks
Going to California
When the Levee Breaks

Album Description

UK remastered reissue of 1971 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP gatefold sleeve. Eight tracks. Atlantic. 2003.

Album Details

Limited edition cardboard packaging; original vinyl album replica.

Customer Reviews:

1994 vs 2003.......2007-02-08

If your looking for a better sounding remaster from the 2003 cd and already own the 1994 version, keep the 1994 version. There is little, if any, difference between the two. If you want the cool mini-lp packaging, get it, it's a real nice collectible.

THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN ALBUM ,RUNES,ZOSO.......2007-01-21

ONE OF THE BEST TO PUT IT MILDLY,IT'S A GREAT ALBUM BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S ZEPPELINS BEST I THINK "PHYSICAL GRAFFITTI WAS THEIR BEST CD OF ALL TIME,THANK GOD BONHAM WAS STILL AROUND FOR THAT ONE

Mini Lp Sleeve.......2006-07-15

The package of this Mini_Lp is MADE IN JAPAN for UK and Germany market. The Own CD in Made in Germany, the excelent remastered sound is the same than JAPANESE version, only fault in UK version a booket with lyrics, and the Japanese versions came lyrics both japanese & English version.
But in all, the UK Remasters are excelents, the serie includes all albums by Led Zeppelin, and the Uk version have a low price too. If you want Cds with OBI & lyrics inserts, look for the japanese versions, the quality of the sound is the same. The Quality of cardboard sleeve is superb! Highly recommended!

Zepp Rules.......2003-10-31

This album is the epitome of greatness. There is no such better song then stairway to heaven. People should play this to there children to teach them exactly what good music is......

Seriously...?.......2003-10-25

Seriously...I'm the first person to review the best rock album ever recorded?
Anyway, to anyone reading this...you don't know much about rock music and that's ok ... do yourself a favour and buy this album now !

Tracks:

Black Dog
Rock And Roll
Battle Of Evermore
Stairway To Heaven
Misty Mountain Hop
Four Sticks
Going To California
When The Levee Breaks

Customer Reviews:

Putrid.......2007-02-15

There's nothing wrong with tribute bands. Great White released a very good tribute to Led Zeppelin's work. However, this is album is not a tribute but a blatant attempt at confusing people into spending their money. I don't know how the people who released this album got the rights to record the music, but it never should have happened. The singer is a fairly pedestrian hard rock kind of guy. He's no Robert Plant, but he's got pipes. Unfortunately, he's the best this album has to offer. The entire disc sounds like the singer is doing his thing over synthesized backing tracks, the kind of robotic noise you'd get on a CD with a "How To Play Guitar" book. I don't think that anyone could truly enjoy this soulless effort; the people who rated this album any more than one star probably work for the record company. Buy the real thing, buy the Great White tribute, buy ANYTHING but this.

Listening to this album is painful.......2005-11-30

I've heard nails scraped on chalkboard that sound better than the vocals in this band's version of Stairway to Heaven.

Led Zeppelin not only wrote beautiful songs, they also played them with a virtuosity that no other band can ever come close to recreating. What's the point of trying to make covers of Zeppelin songs when it is impossible to do anything but detract badly -- very badly -- from the song?

Trust me, this isn't like Jimi Hendrix ripping off a Dylan song and improving the dynamic and the engergy of the song ala "All along the watchtower."

Groovey, dude........2005-08-31

I like it. It's generic but entertaining. Lord knows I can't listen to Zep IV 100 times in a row and I envy people who can do that, but for the rest of us a nice little twist on an amazing album is a good thing.

Peace & love

Dear God..........2004-06-19

No way. Do not buy this. Burn, illegally download, anything, just don't buy this. Your grandmother singing Black Dog in the shower would be better than this. I only hope that no one in the original Led Zeppelin hears this, as they might go on a killing spree and make sure that the guy who sang Stairway to Heaven never finds his.

Horrible.......2004-05-04

This is the worst music I have ever heard. It is a horrible idea to take classic rock songs and remake them with what sounds like a keyboard and a horrible singer.

Average customer rating:

Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Manufacturer: Japanese Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000094PYG
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Black Dog
Rock and Roll
Battle of Evermore
Stairway to Heaven
Misty Mountain Hop
Four Sticks
Going to California
When the Levee Breaks

Album Description

Japanese reissue of 1971 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP gatefold sleeve. 8 tracks. Warner. 2003.

Album Details

35th Anniversary Re-issue Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Average customer rating:

Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Manufacturer: Atlantic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000803CR0
Release Date: 1995-12-21

Tracks:

Black Dog
Rock and Roll
Battle of Evermore
Stairway to Heaven
Misty Mountain Hop
Four Sticks
Going to California
When the Levee Breaks

Album Description

2005 Japanese standard jewel case pressing of Led Zeppelin's 1971 album. Features the same tracks and mastering as the US edition but includes an OBI and Japanese/English insert. Warner. 2005.

Average customer rating:

The greatness of this album is no myth!
Please don't call it "ZOSO"!!!
Not high art, just great rock 'n' roll from Led Zeppelin
Their finest hour

Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Manufacturer: Atlantic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Supergroups | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005HEFS
Release Date: 2002-08-19

Tracks:

Black Dog
Rock and Roll
Battle of Evermore
Stairway to Heaven
Misty Mountain Hop
Four Sticks
Going to California
When the Levee Breaks

Customer Reviews:

The greatness of this album is no myth!.......2005-11-05

Please don't call it "ZOSO"!!!.......2005-08-16

Not high art, just great rock 'n' roll from Led Zeppelin.......2004-11-25

Their finest hour.......2004-06-18

Untitled (AKA Led Zeppelin IV, The "Rune" Album or Zoso (1971.)) Led Zeppelin's fourth album.

It was in 1971 that Led Zeppelin would release their fourth studio album. Although the album was often referred to as The Rune Album or Zoso due to the symbols featured on the packaging, for ease of reference most fans call it Led Zeppelin IV. By now Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham were really beginning to realize their musical potential. With most bands, there is one album that the vast majority of fans tend to call that band's best work. With Led Zeppelin that album would have to be Led Zeppelin IV. So, are all the fans who call it their finest hour right, or is it just subpar by the band's standards? Read on for my review of this album.

Anyone who calls this album the finest Led Zeppelin album knows what he or she is talking about. Their other albums are great, but this one is a masterpiece among masterpieces. Kicking off the quintessential rock masterpiece is Black Dog. This is one of the band's most memorable rockers ever created, and Jimmy Page serves up some of his finest guitar playing here. Next up is another hard rocker, the appropriately titled Rock And Roll. It's one of the band's biggest hits, and why not? I'm not surprised this song (and most of the others on this album) still get played on the radio on a regular basis. Next up is one of the band's true masterpieces, The Battle Of Evermore. Although not one of the most popular songs on the album, you're going to hear fans of the band praise it constantly. This little epic shows just what Led Zeppelin is capable of performing, and that there more than "just another rock band." The next track, Stairway To Heaven, is probably the most popular song that this album spawned. It's slower and more melodic than most of the band's material, but that doesn't make it any less excellent. There's no denying this song's status as a rock classic. Next up we go back to the rockers with Misty Mountain Hop. This is an interesting track, because it fuses elements of hard rock with elements of pop! What's even more surprising is that the end result is very good! Four Sticks, the next composition present on the album, is probably the least known track featured here, but that doesn't mean it's a bad one. It's a solid rocker through and through. For Going To California, the band slows things down a bit again, creating one of their most memorable tunes that explores the softer side. And, of course, the album is concluded with the classic When The Levee Breaks. It's early power rock at its finest, and above all, it's an excellent way to close out a great album. In the end, this album just plain rocks.

There have been numerous issues of this album released over the years, but really, they're all the same other than their packaging. Don't bother shelling out the extra cash to get one of those foreign LP-style replica packages - it's just not worth it. The domestic versions are exactly the same and cost considerably less.

Tracks:

Black Dog
Rock and Roll
Battle of Evermore
Stairway to Heaven
Misty Mountain Hop
Four Sticks
Going to California
When the Levee Breaks

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Led Zeppelin IV (Zoso)
Led Zeppelin
Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000DEPVE
Release Date: 2002-08-19

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The Essential Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Manufacturer: Pid
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000005K67
Release Date: 1997-09-23

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The Essential Led Zeppelin.......2002-09-19

I'll start by stating the obvious - This is not Led Zeppelin's best album. Not by a long shot. I could never quite decide which is the best one, but IV (aka Untitled, aka Rune Album, aka Zoso) is not that. It's extremely commercial, designed to be successful (and that worked, by the way; another problem of the album is that so many of the songs - especially Stairway To Heaven - have been so terribly overplayed on the radio and, well, anywhere else.) In order to achieve that, the band cleaned their act a little, smoothed some rough edges. The blues influences, very powerful on the first album, are present, but very lightly and moderately. The music still rocks, but not half as loud and rough as LZ II or III. Instrumental segments are kept to a minimum, because that kind of stuff doesn't sell. Sure, the four minute drum solo that is Moby Dick and the long jamming on Dazed And Confused are two of the highlights of the first albums, but how many of your avarege rock-pop fans have the patience for that? Also, the production is dreadfuly clean. Some of the best songs on the album could have benefited a lot from a rougher sound, and indeed sounded a lot better when played live (see the Black Dog performance on 'The Song Remains The Same'.)

It's just because of this that Led Zeppelin IV is the perfect Led Zeppelin album for the non-Led Zeppelin fan, or, on the other hand, the perfect introduction to the band for someone who thinks Led Zeppelin equals Stairway To Heaven. Those are sure to enjoy singing along to old favorites like Stairway and Rock And Roll, as well as the lesser known Going To California and Misty Mountain Hop while When The Levee Breaks and Black Dog prepare them for the real Led Zeppelin (albums I-III). Later they can listen to 'The Song Remains The Same' to hear those songs performed like they should be, and hear the brilliant playing of Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John "Bonzo" Bonham at full power.

There is, despite everything, a wonderful selection of songs here. Black Dog, a slightly bluesy track, is a marvelous song (though it sounds much better live), with powerful, soulful singing from Robert Plant. Rock And Roll is a fast, catchy rocker, the kind of tune that gets stuck in your head and gives you a strange, irresistable urge to sing along, tap your feet, or, in more extreme cases, play your air guitar or drum on the nearest available solid object. Lacking the depth of heavy metal classics like Whole Lotta Love and Immigrant Song, Rock And Roll is still extremely fun. The Battle Of Evermore is a brilliant, unusual turn for Page and Plant, and probably the only song which sounds fantastic in this clean, smooth production. It's the height of Led Zeppelin's Tolkien and mysticism obsession, and sounds like nothing else they've ever done. Stairway To Heaven, while it is one of the most overplayed songs in history, is still an excellent epic song with some great moments.

Side B is slightly weaker; Misty Mountain Hop, Four Sticks and Going To California are all great tracks, but none is especially original or memorable. Misty Mountain Hop is a song which was probably made to be heavy metal but was softened and cleaned. Four Sticks is heavier, but nothing exceptional. And Going To California is a sweet little ballad, a nice song but really too smooth for Led Zeppelin. The whole thing, though, is saved by When The Levee Breaks. Some of the negative reviews on this album said that the best song on it was When The Levee Breaks and it wasn't even their song. Yes, it is the best song on the album. No, it's not a Led Zeppelin original. the brilliance of this track is Led Zeppelin's arrangement, which turned a good old blues song into one of Led Zeppelin's heaviest, dirtiest, most powerful pieces of music. Bonham, Page and Jones did a brilliant job, not to mention Plant who brought out his harmonica for the recording. After hearing this album, try to find a live recording of the song. It's guaranteed to blow your mind.

Whether or not you're a Led Zeppelin fan, this album is a must, an essential part of every collection. There's something here to please anyone, and if When The Levee Breaks is tough on your eardrums, listen to Stairway To Heaven again, or try Going To California. If you are a fan, don't have a grudge against this album because it was so successful - there's nothing wrong with compromising a little to expand one's audience.

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