3rd Rate

Sorry Led Zeppelin just does not do it for me. And this third release by the band is certainly not comparable to their best material. I give them credit for trying to explore their acoustic side. However, too many of the songs have either unmemorable melodies or are just plain annoying.

ZEPPELIN 3RD TIMES THE CHARM

This is Led Zeppelin at its best. Forget what everyone is saying, you have to buy this abulm. Immigrant Song is one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. Jimmy Page can do no wrong on the guitar.

let's be honest

Only "In Through the Out Door" is a weaker Zep album. From the the 3 opening toss-offs "Immigrant Song","Friends",and the much better 'live' "Celebration Day" one begins to wonder if guitar "hero" Jimmy Page already ran out of riffs. Then as the watered down blues of "Since I've Been Loving You" confirms Page's lack of creative spark we get what seems to be another Zep outtake "Out on the Tiles" to verify Zep's innovative drought. The album starts to show some signs of life by going to a 'back to the basics' acoustic set of songs starting with the middling "Gallows Pole" followed by the album highlights: the beautiful back-country ballads "Tangerine", "That's the Way" & the haunting "Bron y Aur Stomp". Unfortunately the album ends on the "Zeppelin can play anything and the public will like it" unmelodic noise-fest filler "(Hats off to)Roy Harper" If you want some back to the basics blues-country-rock you'll be much happier with the Rolling Stones "Beggars Banquet" released 2 years prior.