PinkFreud
Rock Junkie
TRACK LISTING:
Achilles Last Stand
For Your Life
Royal Orleans
Nobody's Fault But Mine
Candy Store Rock
Hots On For Nowhere
Tea For One
For the longest time, I had my doubts about Led Zeppelin's album "Presence". I initially judged it on how many easily recognizable songs were in its track listing, without taking the time to really listen to them all. But as I did some research into the songs, I realized that it really wasn't half bad, and that maybe I had misjudged the album entirely.
The album features numerous great tracks, many of which most non-hardcore fans of Led Zeppelin wouldn't even recognize. The only one I had heard of before looking into "Presence" was Achilles Last Stand, which I wasn't really too fond of at the time. But when I got the album, I discovered the greatness that this song held. It was something different from what I was used to in Led Zeppelin's repertoire: fast-paced, driving beats featuring heavy use of the bass guitar. I often hear from fans of the band that Achilles Last Stand is one of their favorites, but I found a song at the end of the very same album that I enjoyed more: Tea For One.
Tea For One reminded me so much of Since I've Been Loving You (from "Led Zeppelin III"), with it's softer, more mellow sound and the somber electric guitar. One of the best things about these two songs in particular is that, in addition to being so great, they are also long, giving you more to enjoy and appreciate (Achilles Last Stand is over 10 minutes long, and Tea For One is over 9).
But let's not forget the middle portion of this album. Candy Store Rock was sorta funky, in my opinion, and seemed like another subtly dirty song (akin to Houses of the Holy and Trampled Under Foot from "Physical Graffiti").
And how about Nobody's Fault But Mine? When they break into that great jam midway through the song? Fantastic! The harmonica combined with the rockin' guitar and Bonham's eccentric and lively drumming, it's impossible not to love.
Then there's the ominous song For Your Life, a hard rock song about the dangers of excessive cocaine use, particularly in the music industry. I really felt the highlight of this song was Plant's vocals. Very soulful and passionate. Seeing as how there wasn't much for solos, his singing shone through much more. It was classic Plant at its best.
Overall, while still one of my least favorite Zeppelin albums (kinda hard to top greats like "Led Zeppelin I" and "Physical Graffiti"), it proved to be a much better album than I initially expected. It did prove to me that the foursome could still be creative and rock hard even in their later years.
Score: 8.5/10
My rank among Led Zeppelin's discography: #7/9 (ahead of ITTOD and Coda, if the latter counts)
Achilles Last Stand
For Your Life
Royal Orleans
Nobody's Fault But Mine
Candy Store Rock
Hots On For Nowhere
Tea For One
For the longest time, I had my doubts about Led Zeppelin's album "Presence". I initially judged it on how many easily recognizable songs were in its track listing, without taking the time to really listen to them all. But as I did some research into the songs, I realized that it really wasn't half bad, and that maybe I had misjudged the album entirely.
The album features numerous great tracks, many of which most non-hardcore fans of Led Zeppelin wouldn't even recognize. The only one I had heard of before looking into "Presence" was Achilles Last Stand, which I wasn't really too fond of at the time. But when I got the album, I discovered the greatness that this song held. It was something different from what I was used to in Led Zeppelin's repertoire: fast-paced, driving beats featuring heavy use of the bass guitar. I often hear from fans of the band that Achilles Last Stand is one of their favorites, but I found a song at the end of the very same album that I enjoyed more: Tea For One.
Tea For One reminded me so much of Since I've Been Loving You (from "Led Zeppelin III"), with it's softer, more mellow sound and the somber electric guitar. One of the best things about these two songs in particular is that, in addition to being so great, they are also long, giving you more to enjoy and appreciate (Achilles Last Stand is over 10 minutes long, and Tea For One is over 9).
But let's not forget the middle portion of this album. Candy Store Rock was sorta funky, in my opinion, and seemed like another subtly dirty song (akin to Houses of the Holy and Trampled Under Foot from "Physical Graffiti").
And how about Nobody's Fault But Mine? When they break into that great jam midway through the song? Fantastic! The harmonica combined with the rockin' guitar and Bonham's eccentric and lively drumming, it's impossible not to love.
Then there's the ominous song For Your Life, a hard rock song about the dangers of excessive cocaine use, particularly in the music industry. I really felt the highlight of this song was Plant's vocals. Very soulful and passionate. Seeing as how there wasn't much for solos, his singing shone through much more. It was classic Plant at its best.
Overall, while still one of my least favorite Zeppelin albums (kinda hard to top greats like "Led Zeppelin I" and "Physical Graffiti"), it proved to be a much better album than I initially expected. It did prove to me that the foursome could still be creative and rock hard even in their later years.
Score: 8.5/10
My rank among Led Zeppelin's discography: #7/9 (ahead of ITTOD and Coda, if the latter counts)
I agree with you Dzedaj, Zep can't possibly make a bad album. It defies all laws of nature!
