Album Review: Led Zeppelin I
Led Zeppelin
A look into a timeless classic, the beginning of new sound, and one of the tightest units to create music.
January 21, 2022
Blog Post One: A Series Introduction
Let’s start off, I have no sort of idea or plan with this writing.
I’ve had the idea to start writing for some time now. After a few drinks tonight, listening to some live music, and doing some reading, the creative itch struck me. I’ve recently felt that writing could be another creative outlet to let my thoughts loose. I don’t regularly write just for the hell of it, so this is new territory for me. I don’t have any set-in-stone plan for this either. The first ideas that come to mind are music, photography, fashion, skateboarding, and food. Just some of my favorite things in life.
These topics transform me to a world where I feel at home. They’re topics that spark an interest in me that I could talk about for hours on end. Whether it’s a well crafted album, a captivating photograph, an outfit or trend that makes a statement, a skateboarding video part that defies the standard of what’s already been done, or a meal that makes you lose yourself in a simple dish, I want to share. I want to indulge. I want to write for anyone who’s willing to listen.
After deliberation, I felt most comfortable starting with music, an aspect in my life that has been as important as anything. It has been part of me for as long as I can remember. From learning drums at the age of four, being trained in classical piano, and later teaching myself guitar, I cannot live without music. There’s an age old Would You Rather that asks an all important question. A question that I find intriguing. If you had to choose, would you rather be blind or deaf? If I had to choose, I’d rather be blind, so that I could enjoy everything that music provides. Music is limitless. It can make you smile, frown, laugh, cry, want to run through a wall, or abandon everything you once knew. As I write, I can’t help but bob my head to a song I have playing at the moment, Cannonball Adderley’s Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (a phenomenal tune if you haven’t yet discovered.)
Ugh, music just kicks ass.
To start my writing, I knew I wanted to write about an album. I had to think for a while what album I wanted to dive into. Would I start with something I know? Something I barely know? Something new? Something old? Rock? Jazz? Blues? Pop? Damn, let’s take a step back. Let me evaluate what I know, love, and adore. Ahhh that’s it! Of course, an album that’s stood the test of time. A highly acclaimed album. An album that has shaped music to come after. An album filled with tracks I grew up listening to. An album that shaped my taste from a young adolescent to a confused mid 20’s man. An album I can always go back to and always enjoy. As much as I appreciate you, Cannonball Adderley, it’s time to put on Led Zeppelin.
Led Zeppelin I
To begin, holy shit. What an album. I’m not going to lay out a history lesson. I’m going to dive into the art of this album. The lyrics, tone, drive, innovation, connection, and captivation. The pure genius of this album, all thanks to Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham, has paved the way for music to come. I’m not going to go through every song, but simply some of my favorite’s. Some will be classics, some may be lesser known. But who cares? It’s Zeppelin. It’s still phenomenal.
Good Times Bad Times– Led Zeppelin is known for stellar song intro’s. This intro to their debut album is the start of this trend. The two-hit riffs, accompanied by Bonham’s hi-hat and saucy cowbell fills start off an album that few can compare too. Jimmy’s monstrous driving tone, which was on no other than a Fender Telecaster compared to his Les Paul on all other albums, makes me want to run through a brick wall immediately. Bonham’s use of unique rhythm and an ungodly bass pattern quickly display what the album is in store for. Oh wait. What was that? Was it a quick bass riff from JPJ (John Paul Jones) after the first chorus? You’re damn right it was. Plant paints the picture of an adolescent figuring their way through life. Knowing but yet still not knowing what’s to come as time passes by. A man who although feeling heartbreak continues to push along, without seeming to care. Part of the second verse states, “She swore that she would be all mine, And love me ’til the end, But when I whispered in her ear, I lost another friend.” Doesn’t care? Really? Who hasn’t felt heartbreak? As much as this song feels like an “anti-emotional love song” due to its high tempo and hard sound, it strikes a chord. That even though we feel tough, feel untouched by emotional desires, those close relationships strike the hardest.
But alas, Jimmy’s there to console us with tempting solos and riffs that reel us in like a seductive mistress. I know I shouldn’t, but let me just keep indulging. Not only does Jimmy provide but he soothes the soul until the 2:46 timed track fades out.
Your Time Is Gonna Come– I’ll admit, this is my second favorite track from this album. I’ll get to my number one favorite later.
Let us drift away though. This track evokes a weightlessness feeling when listening. How could you not with JPJ’s organ to begin the track. Starting with a melodic church-like tone with the stops pulled out of the organ, it’s not quite what you’d expect from the band. But that just adds to the layers that Led Zeppelin occupies. JPJ moving into the main chord progression with a softer organ get’s the wheels moving in the direction we’re going. And then the cymbal crash from Bonham, we’re cooking now. It’s just three chords but the simplicity is true art nonetheless.
Plant’s voice, soulful and bluesy, gives us another heartbreak story of a man who’s been cheated on. Aren’t there many blues rock songs that have some sort heartbreak story in them? Why yes. Give me more of it. Plant belts out, “Lyin’ Cheatin’ Hurtin That’s All You Seem To Do, Messin’ Around With Every Guy In Town, Puttin’ Me Down For Thinkin’ Of Someone New, Always The Same Playin’ Your Game, Drive Me Insane Trouble Is Gonna Come To You.” Great lyrics in this song. The character acknowledges the hurt, the cheating, betrayal, and guilt of wanting to move on. But oh, is it going to come back to bite them in the ass? You bet. Your time will come. As time tells, it will (at least that’s the optimism in me speaking). My favorite vocal performance of this tracks comes after the second verse going into the chorus again. Plant stays behind the rhythm with just the acoustic guitar and exclaims in a raspy tone that none other than he can convey, “You been bad to me woman, but it’s coming back home to you.” A moving line that hit’s home for the song. A testament that even with the worst betrayal there’s a glimmer of light that justice will be served.
Now, in my opinion, the true star sounds off this track are the organ of JPJ and slide guitar of Page. Not only is it unexpected, it provides a layering of sounds and textures to hold the song together. The sustain of each gives off the weightlessness feeling as described before. Theoretically it may be a simple song, but the simplicity is what makes it genius. The simplicity is what makes you want to close the curtains, disconnect, and run it on repeat.
I Can’t Quit You Baby– Oh shit, we’ve hit the blues now.
Ahh the blues. A true inspiration for many rock players. Whether the blues has provided direct influence or indirect influence from other artists, it’s the foundation of rock. Zeppelin welcomingly throws it out in the spotlight. This song, originally written by Willie Dixon, has generated many covers. But Zeppelin’s cover hits hard. Really hard. It’s plant’s intense vocal’s, Pages quick riffs, JPJ’s consistent leading bass, and Bonham’s emotional drums that move with the tone of the song.
The most outstanding portion comes from Page. A true magician on the guitar, he graces us with endless blues solos in this track. Just one lick after the other, his blues influence bleeds through the psychedelically painted telecaster he performs through. But it’s tasteful and a roller coaster as most blues songs are demonstrated. It builds up only to come back down, time and again. And as Page and Plant are moving up in intensity, JPJ and Bonham are right there to move as the tight-knit unit they are.
If you’re not familiar in blues, this could be a good starting spot. A happy medium/introduction. But please go listen to BB King, Albert King, Sam Cooke, John Lee Hooker, and many other greats that come before.
How Many More Times– To circle back, this is my favorite track from the album.
I could write a whole post on this track alone, but I’ll hold myself back. It’s impeccable. Sure, it’s not their most popular song. Coming in at 8:27 in length, it’s overlooked. But in my opinion, this song is the definition of Led Zeppelin. It has everything. It has intensity, suspense, tone, and emotion. Everyone in the band brings it. Plant’s gut-wrenching vocals, Page’s mysterious sound, Bonham’s hard drum fills, and JPJ’s driving bass lines hit you in the face.
The track changes direction many times in a methodical story-telling journey. The rhythm shifts, the melody changes gears, and what you thought was the same song transforms you into a different realm. The ending to bring back the main groove makes me want to bob my head until I have a head ache for the next few days. And to be honest, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’ll continue to listen to it over and over. Few words can do this song justice, so I’ll just implore you to listen. Turn your headphones up as loud as they can go, lay back, and loose yourself in this song. Let it take you away.
This album has been a huge part of my life for a while. It’s what defined Led Zeppelin from the beginning and inspired artists that followed. Turn it on, listen to it from front to back, and enjoy everything it has to offer.