Not even the Rolling Stones could touch Led Zeppelin in terms of popularity in 1973. By this time, Led Zeppelin had firmly established themselves as the most successful rock group on the planet. They also showed a surprising resilience to the hedonistic, destructive lifestyle they were living on the road as a rock and roll band. Whereas bands like Aerosmith and Black Sabbath teetered on the brink of drug and booze fuelled oblivion after a few years at the top (and made some pretty poor records because of it all), Led Zeppelin never really lost sight of their original mission through the potentially foggy haze of dope and excess- to develop musically as a group, and never  Read the complete review

Led Zeppelin are a band which I have only recently really got into - having heard them being described as the original 'men of metal' and as a band that influenced many of my favourite artists today I felt it only fair on myself to give them a chance - first stop, Houses of the Holy. Its my understanding that the band got a lot harder in terms of the music they produced post this album producing songs like Kashmir (which we all know as the Godzilla theme tune, re-done by P.Diddy) and Whole Lotta Love (which we all know as the Top Of The Pops Theme Tune). But this album didnt strike me as a recording which would have been made by the original men of ...  Read the complete review

Listening to the Houses of the Holy CD is pleasurable in the way of fun sex with a good friend. Enjoyable on so many levels - comfortable, yet with the knowledge that there is so much more to explore. There is a common intertwining history - that friendship which brought you together. Yet at every new turning an unexpected sensation waits. The hidden surprises in Houses of the Holy will delight your ears, mind, and musical soul. For those who have never listened to the CD, you are in for a treat. The rest of us will enjoy the satisfaction of an exhilarating romp with an old friend. Taking the trio concept of Cream one step further with Led Zeppelin, ...  Read the complete review

Houses of the holy the first album not to be selftitled by Led Zeppelin, and it shows a new approach by them. The first track "the song remains the same" opens typical Zeppelin style, but the majority of the album is quite slow and acoustic, "the rain song" has to be heard, it is one of the greatest songs ever. singer Robert Plant was writing all the lyrics by now, and they are great lyrics especially on "no quater".Probably the weakest song on the album is "D'yer Maker" a sort of Jamaican song but overall a very nice and mellow album that is thought provoking. The best thing is that this album is ...  Read the complete review

If you think of Led Zeppelin as heavy metal band, then you've only heard Whole Lotta Love and Black Dog. On this album, as with each of their albums, they went far, far outside the realm of whatever heavy metal encompasses. From the majestic opening of The Song Remains The Same to the '50's doo-wop fade-out of The Ocean, this is possibly Led Zep's most consistent album. With one-man orchestra John Paul Jones prominent on The Rain Song and No Quarter, Jimmy Page in brillant acoustic form on Over The Hills And Far Away and pulling out a killer riff in Dancing Days, John Bonham dominating The Crunge and D'yer Mak'er (pronounced Jamaica, for ...  Read the complete review