For this week I decided to go with Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin IV is a classic rock album released in 1971. Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in 1968. They significantly influenced the music industry and the world of rock and roll. The band was comprised of lead vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, keyboardist/bassist John Paul Jones, and my favorite drummer of all time, John Bonham.

The album kicks off with the legendary song, “Black Dog.” It prominently features a “call and response” dynamic between Robert and the band. Robert will sing a quick verse, and then it will cut to the rest of the band, including a guitar riff written by John Paul Jones. The song is popular for a reason; it is absolute perfection. Bonham’s drums are, as always, off the charts.

The next song I would like to talk about is easily my favorite Zeppelin track, “Stairway to Heaven.” It may be cliche at this point, but it is absolutely deserving of all the praise. The song is a slow burn, starting with a gentle acoustic guitar section. It gradually transitions into a 3 minute electronics/vocal section, before culminating in one of the greatest endings in rock history, combining many instruments before ending in a short vocal section. “Stairway to Heaven” is often rated among the top rock songs of all time. It has cemented a legacy with rock fans everywhere as a legendary track.

The album comes to an extravagant end with “When The Levee Breaks.” It is a blues rock track featuring one of John Bonham’s greatest performances. Bonham manages to stay in line with the guitar throughout many pace changes, thus keeping it  interesting. The vocals are sang in a somewhat eerie way, and there are also some experimental background instrumentals. I love the way that Led Zeppelin was able to take a genre and completely transform it into something out of the norm.

Overall, this is a perfect album. If you’ve never checked out any of their albums, I will always recommend Led Zeppelin IV. I would give Led Zeppelin IV a 10/10. I’ve also linked one of my favorite videos below, which shows the genius of John Bonham, and how he reinvented the drums. I recommend checking out some of “Polyphonic’s” other videos as well.