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"Leaving behind its Hard/Blues influences, "Houses Of The Holy" is a journey to new horizons and stands out as Led Zeppelin's fifth and latest masterpiece."
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5/5
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The year was 1973. In the space of four years, Led Zeppelin had earned every superlative thanks to four magical albums that remain the most impressive discography in the history of rock, if not music itself. After a masterful tour in 1972, of which "How The West Was Won" was the belated (but sublime) testimony, Led Zeppelin were about to release their fifth album, the last of their contract with Atlantic Records, which for the first time in the band's history would bear a name.
Although different from its predecessors in many ways, 'Houses Of The Holy' is nonetheless a logical continuation. Wild riffs ('The Song Remains The Same', 'The Ocean'), gentle acoustics ('The Rain Song'), epic folk ('Over The Hills And Far Away'), danceable rhythms ('Dancing Days'), all the elements that made Led Zeppelin so strong are present here.
Composed on tour, this album is more than ever the result of different experiences, an incredibly homogeneous blend of cultures. In fact, all the tracks, which seem to draw their influences from everywhere, are stamped with the band's imprint, giving the record perfect coherence. 'There's 'D'yer Mak'er' (pronounced 'Jamaica'), in the Reggae style so dear to Robert Plant, and tracks like 'The Crunge', with its almost fusion feel and incredible groove. Special mention goes to John Paul Jones, who reveals his talent as a keyboardist, arranger and influencer on this album. 'No Quarter' is definitely his song, a timeless masterpiece that shows the ease with which Led Zeppelin explores styles.
Fans of the band's early years will regret that the Hard/Blues influences are a little forsaken, and the album will therefore take longer to get to grips with, each track being a journey to new musical horizons. What's more, the band became more balanced: Plant's vocals were less crazy and more controlled, Page's guitars were less wild but very timely, Bonzo's work was finer and John Paul Jones began to express himself on keyboards.
The rest of the story is sadly familiar: drugs for Page, the voice for Plant, self-doubt for John Paul Jones, the explosion of punk, and finally Bonzo's deadly excesses... The end of a band that resembles a heartbreaking agony. Yet this album narrowly avoids the series of disasters that would follow, and stands out as a fifth and new masterpiece. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. The Song Remains The Same - 05:32 02. The Rain Song - 07:39 03. Over The Hills And Far Away - 04:50 04. The Crunge - 03:17 05. Dancing Days - 03:43 06. D’yer Mak’er - 04:23 07. No Quarter - 07:00 08. The Ocean - 04:31
LINEUP:
Jimmy Page: Guitares John Bonham: Batterie John Paul Jones: Basse / Claviers Robert Plant: Chant / Harmonica
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READERS
4.3/5 (11 view(s))
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STAFF:
4.5/5 (11 view(s))
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"Osmium out now !" |
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