Led Zeppelin IV Review: Hard Rock's Mighty Landmark
9.5/10 — Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Pros
- 'When the Levee Breaks'
- Great riffs and vocals
- Range from folk to heavy
Cons
- 'Stairway' is overplayed
- A couple of weaker tracks
Led Zeppelin IV, released with no title and no band name on the sleeve, includes some of the group’s best-known songs. It was recorded partly at Headley Grange, with John Bonham’s drums recorded in a stairwell.
What works
‘Black Dog’ and ‘Rock and Roll’ are riff-heavy powerhouses, ‘When the Levee Breaks’ has one of rock’s great drum sounds, and ‘Stairway to Heaven’ builds from folk to a thunderous finish. Robert Plant’s vocals and Jimmy Page’s guitar are superb.
Where it falters
‘Stairway to Heaven’ is overplayed, and ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ and ‘Four Sticks’ are less compelling.
Verdict
A classic of hard rock with a surprisingly gentle heart.
