Is this Zeppelin or Spinal Tap?
934941
There is some good stuff here, particulairly the earlier performances. But Jimmy tends to solo too much and too long. And Robert Plant postures too much without any sense of humour. And we do not need 4 different versions of Dazed and Confused. The one great thing about this dvd is that we really see how great a musician John Paul Jones is. Brilliantly playing a variety of instruments while always staying cool. But after witnessing the plodding Knebworth performances, I thankfully remembered that The Clash had by that time already saved the true spirit of rock and roll. If you buy this dvd, you may only end up watching the first three minutes of each song.
253660
Other reviewers have pointed out the growth exhibited by Led Zeppelin on this album. It is true that their style has changed dramatically, and that isn't necessarily a good thing.

The band is clearly experimenting with different styles here, and some attempts work well - the reggae-influenced Fool in the Rain is a classic Zeppelin song, and All of My Love and In the Evening are good tracks as well.

However, songs such as Hot Dog and Carouselambra are so far out in left field that they don't fit in with the Zeppelin style. Not a good introduction to the band; I'd recommend it mostly to those looking to complete their Zep collection.
470818
MOst of this was really good stuff but the band was forced to record some awful songs too, like 'remember the night'. still this is led zeppelin before they changed their name. And this one has lots of session stuff and more making it the best picture of the late yardbirds period.  I love this band and have it all pretty much I would say. This is essential for completists and a good buy for those interested in the this era of music.
4800316
Let me first set things straight that Led Zeppelin IV (or whatever you want to call it) is an AMAZING album.  That being said, I do have a few un-positive comments.  Perhaps its commercial success is the only reason why it seems so, but the album appears (at least to me) to be somewhat overrated as a whole.  Sure, it has timeless classics on it, but, and I hate to use the dreaded word, some of the stuff sometimes feels like filler (there, I said it) material.  Here's some (well actually all) of the material you can find on this classic:
Black Dog -- Absolutely raunchy and overly filthy.  That's why I love it so much.  Great mix of blues and hard-rock, which Zeppelin perfected like no other band.
Rock And Roll -- One of the band's most recognizable tracks (from endless radio play and Cadillac commercials), it is not hard to see why.  Fast paced, energetic, and well done.
Battle of Evermore -- And so we go from two strong rockers to a mystical ballad.  Don't take that wrong, though; this song is as good as any at times, although it can often get swallowed up by fans eager to listen to what is about to follow...
Stairway to Heaven -- Perhaps the most recognized (and statistically the most requested) song not just by Zeppelin, but EVER.  Let it be known that there has never been, nor probably ever will be, another song with the legend of Stairway.  Its lyrics have been interpreted many highly varying ways, but one way or another, the song epitomizes the versatility of the band and is no longer a song but rather a symbol of rock and roll.
Misty Mountain Hop -- Sometimes victimized by what preceeds, but always good.  Pleasing to the ear with a good rhythm and nice instrumental work.
Four Sticks -- Filler, filler, filler.  This song was what I spoke of earlier.  Every now and then an album just flat out has a black sheep, and this is it.  Although the physics of how it was recorded (the name comes from what John Bonham used to play drums on the track) can amaze, little else about it can.
Going to California -- I've never particularly fallen in love with this song, but it isn't bad either.  I can't knock Jimmy Page for putting on a great acoustic performance that isn't quite 'Bron-yr-Aur'-esque (by that I mean the instrumental from Physical Graffiti and not the folksy song from Led Zeppelin III), but still one that makes you want to learn how to do that.
When the Levee Breaks -- When you want to hear a power blues song from a great rock band, you can stop hear.  Beware, however, as the rhythm, absolutely driven by John Bonham's thunder-fisted percussion talents, could cause heart problems in some.
Although it has great songs, namely Black Dog, Rock and Roll, and Stairway, this is NOT, and I repeat NOT, Zeppelin's best album or really even close.  It's not the second best, it's not the third best (check out my Listmania list to see what is though!)...  However, this was easily the first Zeppelin album I got, and will probably be the most common "First Zeppelin Album I Owned," as its worldwide sales will show.  However, as my tastes in Zeppelin began to mature, I realized that 'Hey, just because this has hits doesn't mean it's the best!"  Perhaps you will do so too, but you should still own this hands-down, and I cannot stress that enough:  BUY THE ALBUM, IT'S GREAT!!!  Just not the best Led Zeppelin album.
4226195
No, I'm not going to rip on Zeppelin.  They are my musical heros, and have nothing but endless adoration for them.  NO BAND has yet to come close to this unique blend heavy, heavy blues, speed metal, folk music, and  pop  music. On Zep IV, Stairway to Heaven gets the most press, but the best song  on the album is "When the Levee Breaks".  This song's haunting  and powerful lyrics, driving drums, and soul wrenching harmonica is enough  to make one silently say "Wow" to yourself. If you love side 2 of  this album, I strongly suggest purchasing Page and Plant's "No  Quarter", where an awesome remake of Four Sticks is present, as well  as the even better "Gallows Pole" and "Kashmir".
3234743
Led Zeppelin had "Four", Def Leppard had "Hysteria", Iron Maiden had "Number of the Beast" and DELAIN has "APRIL RAIN".
This is the one for me. EPIC redefined. A spectacular album from beginning to end, though it did take a couple of listens before I 'got it'.
Now I can't stop playing it. Easily the best album I've ever purchased in thirty years. And I don't care if anyone disagrees with me out there.
I will request that it is buried with me when I die so I can take it with me to THE OTHER SIDE. (a little pun there -  buy it and you'll get it)
A MUST HAVE. Buy several copies. You need to own this. Seriously.
933663
yes, it is definatly a generic heavy rock album. lacking the complexities and diversity of zep's previous efforts. lacking the keyboards too. forgivable due to the sucky situation it was recorded. polar oppisite of In Through The Out Door, which is a synth-happy, diverse album.
achille's last sand- geat. a classic. zeppelin's most metallic song. what's with all the hype about the drum's though? bonzo kicked major ass on In My Time of Dying (from Physical Grafiti).
for your life- so so
royal orleans- forgetable.
nobody's faultbut mine-great. a clssic. plant saves the day with his harmonica! it's kind o a shame that many of zep's greatest tune's were rip offs of blues artists.
candy store rock- has a cool sound, but the lyrics are lame
hots on for nowhere- very catchy
tea for one- OH THE AGONY! MAKE IT STOP! when i first heard this song i thought i was an aternate take of Since I've Been Loving You, which is an awesome song by the way. this song, on the other hand, is best defined by the lyrics, because the minutes feel like hours. you'll feel like you've been listening to a song for 9 hours, and it still hasn't gone anywhere yet. i thought it was a general rule for zeppelin to get rid of any song that sounded exactly like another.
like i said, this would've been any other hard rock band's crowning achievement. this album is great for what it is, but it does not match led zeppelin's classic 6 albums. when compared to zoso, this one is so so. when on it's own, it sits on a throne.
this along with In Through The Out door, and Coda round out zeppelin's stinky albums.
3950706
The Darkness are kinda hard to rate -- see if you base them solely on their efforts of not being a very serious band.  Then one could say it's all in good fun; though I wouldn't necessarily call this album funny by any means.  Sure "Growing On Me" gets brownie points from me for being a song actually based on a sexually-transmitted disease.  And "Black Shuck" is just one example of why these guys are not to be taken serious.
 Are they the modern day Spinal Tap ?  I dunno, but one thing is for certain, they swept the Brit Awards.  Admittedly their comments about Radiohead were rather shrewd if not kinda immature and Muse should've nabbed a little more.  And thing have certainly landed in the states.  "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is just one example of how their 'Stadium Rock' appeal has warrant a following. But hey, if it could lure mainstream music listeners from even worse garbage like Linkin Park, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan and all that bling-hoe-ice rap crap then hey, lets give a little bit of credit.
 But on a pure musical level, Justin Hawkins cannot sing and the band seems to caught up in sounding like the old days that they literally sound like Motley Crue, Def Leppard, and all the other 'Hair Bands' that inspired them.  I suggest downloading before buying -- if for anything one or two songs.  Which is enough to give away their sound.
3738244
Love the Led Zeppelin II sounds...always have - and the bonus of this album having "Moby Dick" - is a drummer's dream!
2966598
These guys ROCK! This album is Great and they are
AMAZING Live! Reignite your love for Zeppelin with this
album or begin your love affair.. This album is so well produced,
I LOVE it! You gatta get it!
4709685
The first Led Zeppelin album was the best, but this one was right behind it. Some of the songs are genuine masterpieces, especially "Ramble On", "Heartbreaker", and "What Is and What Should Never Be". Buy it or suffer!! ;)
1853510
This Zeppelin CD is probably for hardcore Zep fans only , like me. Released in 1976 , and recorded while Robert Plant was recuperating from a near fatal car crash ( Plant was actually in a wheelchair when recording ). The music landscape quickly changed while the band was making Presence. Disco and Punk were the rave and this release shows how they were out of step with the changing musical times. The band was also struggling with addictions , too. They just didn't 'do things ' for a good time...they were addicted to some bad stuff. Despite all this....it is remarkable how they could still play amazingly well. Achilles Last Stand in an incredible 10 minute opus and is arguably John Bonhams' finest rhythm track. It must be heard to be believed. Page is a virtuoso on guitar and still the General of his guitar army. Listening to Achilles Last Stand always gave me the sense that time was running out , and little did we know...it was. My favorite track is Nobody's Fault But Mine. The band never played harder. It is a phenomenal song. Bonham assaults the drums , Page is raw and ragged with his guitar , and Plant is screaming about the ' monkey on his back. '
173765
After listening to this album many times, I still want to keep on  listening to it. Songs like black dog and rock and roll help to show jimmy  page's guitar abilities while when the levee breaks helps to showcase john  bonhaim's drumming skills. Of course, stairway to heaven is on this album,  although not my favorite led zepplin song, it not heard to figure out why  this became a classic.
4751329
"This tasteless cover is a good indication of the lack of musical invention within. The musical growth of this band cannot even be charted. They are treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry." Marty DiBergi, This Is Spinal Tap

I listened to some samples on Amazon, very cliche not as bad as Sonic Boom. IMO, Love Gun is their last great album.
2199366
This albumn is frequently considered to be a watershed event in Rock 'n Roll.  Give the credit to Jimmy Page who concieved this sound and put this band together on the fly.
Considering the impact this record had, it's chronology is rather amazing.  Zeppelin was formed under the auscpices of finding new members of the Yardbirds, who were still a working band. Original members Kieth Relf and Jim McCarty quit the band in July of '68.  Until August, Yardbird Chris Deja was to be a member of the band.  Deja and Page had no clue as to who they wanted to replace the old Yardbird members.  They went after Steve Marriot of Small Faces to sing.  He reccomended another singer who reccomended 19-year-old Robert Plant.  Deja and Page hired Plant who reccomended Jon Bonham to play the drums, whom they also hired.  In mid-August, Deja quit.  Page hired John Paul Jones, an associate from his session days to play bass and keyboards.
The Yardbirds had concert obligations which the new band had to fulfill.  Their first concert was Sept. 7th.  They recorded this albumn in mid-October in only 30 hours.  The next month they embarked on a U.S. tour.
Page's 2-year stint with the Yardbirds was an uninspired period.  Page as a creative force seemed to pale vs. his predeccessor, Jeff Beck.  So how did this albumn come about? It's like nothing the Yardbirds, who were entrenched in quasi-psychadelia, were doing a the time.  Page went back to the raw blues sound of the early Yardbirds, but added guitar dynamics of the Hendrix, John McGlaughlin era.  That he was able to find Plant and Bonham, whose power was so well suited for Zeppelin, in two weeks, is astonishing.
3547816
physical graffiti is one of the greatest albums from this great band who were the pioneers of heavy rock music along with black sabbath and deep purple.this is a great album,along with their debut,sophomore,fourth and presence albums.this fantastic double album contains masterpieces like,in my time of dying,trampled underfoot and kashmir.hugely recommended.get all these led zeppelin albums and rock out!!!!!!.please avoid eMpty tv and posers like stinkin park,green afternoon,limp basket,stink 182,flusher,one cent and complicated plan.thanks
2185551
Disc one gets the led out in a big way even though such classics as Black Dog, The Ocean, Misty Mountain Hop and Rock N' Roll are missing. Even though those tracks aren't here, I still can't get enough of this Zeppelin tribute from a great band in their own right. Basically, disc one is amazing.

Disc two, I could have gone forever and never missed hearing this. The song selection is odd and the band doesn't seem to be putting their own signature on any of these tracks. That approach is fine if you're covering Led Zeppelin. But, when you are determined to bring to light an entire batch of material that isn't as strong as what is found on disc one, then it really disappoints.