Later Led Zeppelin... I'm skeptical.

[Zivilyn]

So everybody rants and raves about LZ's later albums, from Houses of the Holy on.
I have many gripes about HotH. I think Plant's voice sounds rather prissy throughout, like he's actively trying not to sound like Robert Plant. The Song Remains the Same, The Ocean, Rain Song, all good ones... The inbetweeners, from the Crunge to Dy'er Maker are like a mixed bag, I need to be in a specific mood for any of them. No Quarter is kind of overrated. I could live with Plant's voice if the songs were just good, y'know?

I heard In through the Out Door once, and was underwhelmed, but I'll leave it out because it was only once.

So I decided to get the mother of all Late Zeppelin albums, Physical Graffiti. Wow, the first disc was... Bad. Not even lacking, or just decent, it was bad.
How can In My Time of Dying be 11 minutes? It sounds like enough riffs to fill a 4-5 minute track. Trampled Underfoot is great, as always, and the other radio stuff is alright, but I don't really care. I've heard it all before.
Of course Kashmir is alright, but it's overrated worse than No Quarter. I can't adapt to how weak the strings sound, in a song that tries very hard to be massive.

I'm scared to be bored to death, so the 2nd disc is waiting for a day where I feel very open..

 

[MadeInNewJersey]

Sorry, but if you consider disc 1 of Physical Graffiti to be bad, your opinion on music if forevermore ignored.

Bye.

 

[Unfaithfully Metalhead]

Sorry, but if you consider disc 1 of Physical Graffiti to be bad, your opinion on music if forevermore ignored.

Bye.

so true Jersey....

 

[Zivilyn]

Sorry, but if you consider disc 1 of Physical Graffiti to be bad, your opinion on music if forevermore ignored.

Bye.

Well what makes it so good then? Other than stupid answers like "uh, it is?"

I want to like it, seriously. I love LZ. Not liking Physical Graffiti actually bothers me.

On the other hand, it seems like people like late Zeppelin just because it's the cool thing to do, and disliking their more popular albums is just the thing to do. I'm trying to convince myself that these people are maybe right, and it really does get better. I'm not just raggin on the guys because I can, I just don't like it much, that's all. There's still time for me to like it, but HotH is permanently mediocre I think.

 

[MadeInNewJersey]

Sorry, I don't have the time or energy to elaborate and list the 1,000 reasons why this is a monumental album OF ALL TIME, let alone just in their catalogue. I'm sure with the tiniest bit of googling, you'll find a few thousand reasons all by yourself.

You also said "No Quarter" was overrated in this same thread. I mean, just go listen to something else. I don't know what else to tell you, but you're slagging one of the greatest albums ever, by one of the greatest bands ever. *shakes head*

 

[Zivilyn]

Sorry, I just like to dissect things and analyze them at an alarmingly detailed rate it's just a habit of mine. I need to accept that some people aren't into not being straightforward about it.

No Quarter's overrated bcause it's some doodly keyboards that sound kinda nice, but I could have done it. Nothing stands out about it musically, other than being a song that people feel compelled to like just because. The guitars, for LZ, are kind of average. The singing is just like I was talking about before, sorta prissy in comparison to old stuff. It has one of the few JPJ basslines I'm not too fond of. Even if I were to not go so thourough, I could just say "yeah, this is just your average stonery slow song." I mean, it's good, but pick any other LZ song, it's probably better. I bet it kicked ass live though.

 

[kittybeast]

Of course Kashmir is alright, but it's overrated worse than No Quarter. I can't adapt to how weak the strings sound, in a song that tries very hard to be massive.

Kashmir is alright?!?!!? I certainly cannot understand how you can break this song down to weak string sounds and tries to be massive. It is massive, it's heavy, it's powerful, sexy, hot, moving, deep..well that's how it makes me feel. I guess I don't have the musical prowess you have attained if you think that this disc is lacking, not descent and just plain bad.

p.s. 1975 11 yrs old, skateboarding, 8 track tapes, Zeppelin!

 

[Zivilyn]

Well actually I consider their first 4 to be masterpieces, so if anything I'm musically retarded because I'm not too fond of their more "sophisticated stuff.

 

[Zivilyn]

But on second thought, I guess the strings in Kashmir aren't too bad, just the beginning part. Only in that part they sound "weak" to me, but that is the most replayed part, so...

 

[kittybeast]

you mustlearn to not only listen to the music, but hear it...feel it.

Stop trying to make it something it's not and appreciate it for what it is. A timeless, classic and yes... another Zeppelin masterpiece.

 

[SoundMaster]

The strength and beauty of "No Quarter" is found in the bombastic and claustophobic atmosphere the song portrays. It's epic and grand, yet sinister simaltaneously. It's presents a stark contrast to the riffing and heavy blues of "Whole Lotta Love" and "Black Dog". The songs breathes!

The riff is hypnotic, almost spellbinding. I often turn out all the lights, light a few candles and just immerse myself in the mystery that is this classic song.

As for Grafitti Disc 1, well I find this to be one of the most fascinating pieces of music ever released.
"Custard Pie" just emanates a feeling of bravado and swagger that few other tracks do. It sounds 'filthy'! I love the opening riff - especially the bass lines that accompany it. Robert's voice has a wonderful raspiness, as well.

"Rover" is a decent song, but I wouldn't classify it as a Zep classic. 'Tis the reason why it wasn't previously released before this double-album (I believe it was recorded for either Zep IV or Houses). Nice tune, but nothing more.

"In My Time". A bonafide heavy rock classic. Again, the song portrays a feeling of swagger and 'filthiness'.....it makes me think of classic New Orleans blues players of a time long gone. It's dark, almost casting a shadow of doom upon the listener. The slide guitar is ominous...sinister. I love this one!

"Houses of the Holy". This is just a great riff-driven song. It's not starbreaking, but it moves me. Page was always about the riff....most of the great Zep tunes have it.

"Trampled Underfoot". Easily one of my all-time fav songs! NO hard rock song gets my blood flowing as this track does! This song is GROOVE in 5:35 of time. I actually feel like dancing when I hear this track....few songs, if any, can move me as such. And Plant's vocals just kill here....the chorus is one for the ages..."I'm talkin 'bout looove"! Immense. The Hammer of the Gods has fallen!!

"Kashmir". If you don't appreciate the majesty and timelessness of this grand epic, well then I can't help you. As with "No Quarter", this is hypnotic, trance-inducing, and a port to a mysitcal world in a time long gone. Easily one of the best rock songs ever recorded.

And, making Grafitti even more attractive, is the production/sound. It's so tight....warm, and a wall of sonic power. Everything fell into place on this album. Even the leftover tracks from previous sessions are strong (Rover, Houses, Bron-yr-aur, Down by the Seaside, Stu, Black Country, Night Flight).

PG's new material would have been:
Custard Pie
In My Time
Trampled
Kashmir
In the Light
Ten Years Gone
Wanton Song
Sick Again

 

[Wheezer]

you mustlearn to not only listen to the music, but hear it...feel it.

Agreed. If it doesn't move you then move on. There's lots of other stuff out there waiting for you to discover.

 

[MadeInNewJersey]

Sorry, I just like to dissect things and analyze them at an alarmingly detailed rate it's just a habit of mine. I need to accept that some people aren't into not being straightforward about it.

No Quarter's overrated bcause it's some doodly keyboards that sound kinda nice, but I could have done it. Nothing stands out about it musically, other than being a song that people feel compelled to like just because. The guitars, for LZ, are kind of average. The singing is just like I was talking about before, sorta prissy in comparison to old stuff. It has one of the few JPJ basslines I'm not too fond of. Even if I were to not go so thourough, I could just say "yeah, this is just your average stonery slow song." I mean, it's good, but pick any other LZ song, it's probably better. I bet it kicked ass live though.

Why do you even LISTEN to music then? Go study quantum physics or something, because it's clear you simply do not/are not able to "get" Led Zeppelin.

Everything you just said about "No Quarter" tells me that you're entirely clueless on what they did and meant to music.

 

[wdiv]

Hey.. if you like it, you like it... if you don't, you don't... no big deal.

I personally think Physical Grafitti is an excellent album. The sound is certainly different (less bluesy) from their earlier albums. There are a couple of songs that I'd probably consider filler on the 2nd disk, but they're still very listenable.

 

[Wyvern]

Agreed. If it doesn't move you then move on. There's lots of other stuff out there waiting for you to discover.

Indeed, that why I never got into Led Zeppelin at all But I agree with Kitty a 110 % it's all about feeling and personal perception.

I have musician friends that evaluate music on various aspects and try to convince me to get into it and I can't since it doesn't move me.

Nowdays it's getting worse for me, if the music doesn't hook me at first try I don't feel much like spinning time and again to convice myself about a song or album.

That's why I'm so excited about getting to PPVII, the chance to hear bands I never heard before live and experience the music on a different level. And then probably purchase some album

 

[MadeInNewJersey]

So you only listen to an album once to decide if you like it or not? Shit, you're missing out on some great music then.

 

[Zivilyn]

it's clear you simply do not/are not able to "get" Led Zeppelin.

You do not "get" reading, because I've praised Led Zeppelin many times in this thread and you haven't seen it I guess. They're one of the best. Check out that best rock n roll band thread in Non-Metal, guess what my answer is.

I wasn't really gonna get annoyed at anyone in this thread, I expected to get some mixed reactions, but I can't STAND it when people don't even get what I wrote, like they just glimpsed over it to get to gist of it. Zeppelin = Great.

You have a point about listening to albums once and judging them though, it's not always dead on accurate. I could have sworn I posted something like that earlier, but I guess I was wrong. I'll try it again, maybe it'll be good.

But if you're not gonna read my posts please don't reply to them.

 

[KMADD]

In Through The Out Door is probably my favorite Zep album John Paul Jones
is seriously on it with the keyboard playing and Jimmy Page's guitar work is phenomenal on that disc! Probably one of my favorite rock records
of all time.

 

[TheWhisper]

Indeed, that why I never got into Led Zeppelin at all But I agree with Kitty a 110 % it's all about feeling and personal perception.

I have musician friends that evaluate music on various aspects and try to convince me to get into it and I can't since it doesn't move me.

Nowdays it's getting worse for me, if the music doesn't hook me at first try I don't feel much like spinning time and again to convice myself about a song or album.

That's why I'm so excited about getting to PPVII, the chance to hear bands I never heard before live and experience the music on a different level. And then probably purchase some album

I've gotten shit my whole life from people who just can't fathom that I don't like Zeppelin. "How can you not like Zeppelin"...'cause it does nothing for me.

 

[MadeInNewJersey]

You do not "get" reading, because I've praised Led Zeppelin many times in this thread and you haven't seen it I guess. They're one of the best. Check out that best rock n roll band thread in Non-Metal, guess what my answer is.

I wasn't really gonna get annoyed at anyone in this thread, I expected to get some mixed reactions, but I can't STAND it when people don't even get what I wrote, like they just glimpsed over it to get to gist of it. Zeppelin = Great.

You have a point about listening to albums once and judging them though, it's not always dead on accurate. I could have sworn I posted something like that earlier, but I guess I was wrong. I'll try it again, maybe it'll be good.

But if you're not gonna read my posts please don't reply to them.

I did read them (your posts), thoroughly too. It's just that I'm too mind-boggled by your inability to grasp Physical Graffiti. You make it sound like it's a challenging record to listen to, and/or enjoy.

I do indeed realize it's all about personal tastes, preferences, opinions, etc., but since I hold this particular album in such high regards MYSELF, then I need REAL reasons why it's "mediocre" to someone such as yourself.