Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Led Zepplin IV

Of all the people in my age group I have met over the years, I have only ever met one person who had never heard the famous song "Stairway to Heaven." For forty years, that song has been a classic anthem with rockers both young and old. I mean who hasn't been to at least one music shop where there's a sign on the wall banning people from playing it on the guitar in the shop. "Stairway to Heaven" is definitely among the top classics. However, if Led Zepplin had been around in the 80s, it would have been classed as their token ballad or they might have been accused of selling out by some metalheads.
While "Stairway to Heaven" is one of the reasons why Led Zepplin IV is such a great album, it isn't the only good song on it. There is an argument for all eight songs on the album to given the spotlight. I've seen both "Rock And Roll" and "Misty Mountain Hop" on juke boxes and my favourite has always been "Black Dog." Five out of the eight songs appear on the "Mothership" album. Each and every song makes this album such a classic.

Track Listing:

1. Black Dog

2. Rock and Roll

3. The Battle of Evermore

4. Stairway to Heaven

5. Misty Mountain Hop

6. Four Sticks

7. Going to California

8. When the Levee Breaks

Robert Plant- vocals

Jimmy Page- guitar

John Paul Jones- bass

John Bonham- drums

I will not debate anyone who mentions the many other great albums which Led Zepplin put out in the 70s. "Physical Graffiti" and "Led Zepplin II" already come to mind. However, it is "Led Zepplin IV" that shows the true rock talents of Led Zepplin and why it is one of the greatest rock albums ever.

Next Post: Deep Purple, Machine Head

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Black Sabbath- Paranoid

Living the sheltered life I did as a teenager back in the 1970s, I didn't hear this album until 1980. When I did, I thought this was the hardest rock album ever (until then). Hearing the Paranoid album changed my view on music forever. After that, I completely abandoned any feeling for the top 40 and have been a dedicated metal head ever since and this is the album I have to thank for it.
Every rock or metal compilation album puts the title track "Paranoid" on it knowing that it will boost the album. I won't take anything away from the song, it's a good one. However, the song that did it for me and is still my favourite Sabbath tune is definitely "War Pigs." Having seen Sabbath twice in concert, I cheer the loudest when they play it. Of course, we can't forget the brilliant riffs that is "Iron Man" as well as the other songs like "Fairies Wear Boots." From beginning to end, it is understandable why this is one of the true metal albums of all time.

Tack listing:

1. War Pigs

2. Paranoid

3. Planet Caravan

4. Iron Man

5. Electric Funeral

6. Hand of Doom

7. Rat Salad

8. Fairies Wear Boots

Ozzy Osbourne- vocals

Tony Iommi- guitar

Geezer Butler- bass

Bill Ward- drums

No one can argue against the Paranoid album by Black Sabbath as being the template for what true metal albums since should be like. This album has been often immitated but never duplicated and will forever stand the test of time.

Next Post: Led Zepplin IV

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Aerosmith- Toys in the Attic

Aerosmith's "Toys in the Attic" was probably the very first true rock album I heard. Before that, it was old 45 records and compilation albums that went on sale at your local Jamesway. (Sad, I know). Before this album, I was very musically naive, but hearing it was a total eye opener. From the first track, I was hooked and wanted to listen to the whole album and like every other teenager back then, I had a big snigger at the track, "Big Ten Inch Record."

Track Listing

1. Toys in the Attic

2. Uncle Salty

3. Adam's Apple

4. Walk This Way

5. Big Ten Inch Record

6. Sweet Emotion

7. No More, No More

8. Round and Round

9. You See Me Crying

Of all the tracks, it was "Walk This Way" that stands out. That is because once I heard the album, I seemed to hear that particular song played everywhere. Therefore, the song holds a special place in my metal heart.

Now that I am much older and wiser (pause for laughter), I can fully appreciate the great musicianship by Aerosmith on this album. The clear vocals by Steven Tyler and the guitar solos by Joe Perry backed up by the others make this album a magnificent listen. Aerosmith hadn't begun to destroy themselves with the excesses of success, which is another reason this album is so crisp.

Steve Tyler- vocals

Joe Perry- lead guitar

Brad Whitford- rhythm guitar

Tom Hamilton- bass

Joey Kramer- drums

Thirty six years after its first release, "Toys In The Attic" continues to stand the test of time. It is a standard bearer for many of the albums which have followed it and will always be ranked among my favourites.

Next post: Black Sabbath: Paranoid

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