Only Black Sabbath can lay claim to being a more influential hard rock band. Led Zeppelin had the swagger and sexual electricity to rival Sabbath's more gloomier approach, although at times Zep could certainly match the Sab's for sheer rifferama and darkened sludge. This classic debut, with immediately recognisable sleeve, reeks of rock 'n' roll magic from the opening strut of 'Good Times Bad Times' to the finale of the yearning 'How Many More Times', Jimmy Page introduced himself to the world, a wizard on the strings with some of the most amazing solo's and riffs ever put to record. In turn his sizzling licks were matched by Robert Planet's enigmatic soaring vocals, whether bluesy heathen or sexed up rock star, Plant had it all, the sway and the swagger to match any frontman.
Behind the two magicians were John Bonham, chief skin beater, and John Paul Jones with his bubbling bass and swinging organ sound. A fearsome foursome who would go on to set the world alight, yet, very much like Sabbath, burrow an immaculate line of material that hardly any other band except maybe Pink Floyd and The Beatles could compete with.
'Dazed & Confused', a super-powered rock 'n' roll ballad with elements of magic weaved into its tormented blues, whilst 'Communication Breakdown' just fries the opposition with Page's arrogant guitar work, inventing riff after riff that just caught the soul and remained immortal. By the time the needle lifted off the black masterpiece, Zeppelin were already on their way to becoming rock 'n' roll gods.
9/10
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