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 How do you follow up the biggest rock record of all time? Dec 04, 2009
Led Zeppelin answered that question correctly: Houses of the Holy. One can only imagine the pressure they must have felt as a band coming off of Led Zep IV. Surely realizing that cracking more thunder than IV was going to be an impossibility at that point (a feat accomplished on their next album), would they take things down a notch and relax? Get all progressive and experimental? Have a laugh and not take it all so seriously? Write a ballad???? Led Zeppelin could have gone any of those routes and when all was said and done...they took them all. Starting off with a song unlike any they had ever written before, the ironically titled The Song Remains the Same ushered in a Zeppelin free from any perceived chains they may have been shackled with. Frenetic, rollicking, lush, and dreamy, this was progress. The humor, breeziness and just plain fun of tracks like Over the Hills and Far Away, The Crunge, Dancing Days, and D'yer Mak'er could also be considered progress for such an oh so heavy band. Some may argue that writing a ballad this far into a career was a step back, but even on first listen to Rain Song you can't help but fall for its heart on sleeve romanticism completely. But all of this would not even be possible without the album's true keystone: No Quarter. One of those rare songs with actual transporting and time travel capabilities - while listening you will surely feel yourself trudging uphill in a frozen tundra, ready for battles to the death with the faceless hordes offering, nor accepting mercy of any sort. Yeah, it's a bada** tune, alright. Ending on the perfect note with a sincere thank you to eachother and their sea of fans, The Ocean both closes one chapter and opens another in the career of this totally awesome band. But not even this would prepare people for the double dirty mind bending sexy beast that lie just around the corner...
 K2. Nov 10, 2009
If "Zoso" or "IV" is Zeppelin's Mt. Everest, then "Houses of the Holy" is their K2: almost as highly elevated in terms of legendary status and popularity. Both LP's virtually define 70's rock, and both are essential for any heavy rock record collection. However, "Houses", for all its mythology and status in the Zeppelin canon, spends much of its 42 minutes in either mellotron-soaked sonics or acoustic guitar indulgence. Side one features 'The Rain Song', a beautiful track but certainly not a rocker, and 'Over the Hills and Far Away', an FM-radio staple despite its pastoral acoustic setting. Critics routinely pan "D'yer Mak'er' as Zeppelin's low point, but it's just one more example of this album's power to simultaneously defy and define 70's rock.
My Favorite Zep CD Oct 21, 2009
Not a big time Zeppelin fan but somehow the band strikes big time gold on this release. Maybe because I am a keyboard player and I love the tones on this one. No Quarter is absolutely my number one favorite tune by these guys. What a spooky synthesizer effect, ultra cool piano solo, killer guitar riff, and solid drumming. Not a big fan of Robert Plant but his vocals are a keeper on this tune.
And the two songs before, Dancing Days and Dyer Maker are winners too. Love that reggae beat on the later. Zep really pulls out all the creative stops with the funky The Crunge, the gentle Rain Song, and the many rockers on here. Others may love Zeppelin 4 and 2, but this one b pos the best for me.
Flawed classic from Zeppelin in their prime Oct 07, 2009
Some Zeppelin fans are so dumb. That's all I have to say about them. Anyway, this is definitely a classic and is easily placed in the top 5 of their best albums. The biggest problems with it is that you could easily leave off The Crunge and D'yer Mak'er and it would be fine. Their okay songs, though I never listen to the latter, but are kind of misplaced with the whole mood of the album. Another problem that has to do with that is the flow of the album. Going from The Song Remains The Same to The Rain Song doesn't feel right. Instead I think it should have gone to The Ocean or Over The Hills and Far Away. Highlights: No Quarter, Dancing Days, The Rain Song, The Song Remains The Same. Zeppelin were in their prime here and would reach their peak with Physical Graffiti.
1973 LED ZEPPELIN record. Sep 12, 2009
This is my favorite Zeppelin record, it plays well throughout. If you've noticed, none of the Zeppelin records have come down in price, all that much, because they sell pretty well, even today.
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