Led Zeppelin IV (Led Zeppelin, Four Symbols, ZOSO)

Whatever title you give this album, you cannot deny that there is a mystic power that it exudes.
Of the many albums produced by Led Zeppelin over their long carrier, the Fourth Album is likely one of their greatest achievements, not only in world wide sales, but also in musical creation and invention.
The track line-up for this album includes some of their most epic and groundbreaking material. Best known of these is Stairway to Heaven. Not only is this ballad one of the albums most poetic and powerful songs but it is perhaps one of the best Led Zeppelin ever created. I know from my own fascination with this song that it is the wish of many guitar plays, new and experienced, to be able to play the entire Stairway melody.
The album begins with Black Dog. Paige’s powerful riffs are felt in full force while Plant’s one-of-a-kind bawl oozes out of the stereo, setting the stage for the vocal majesty that is associated with Led Zeppelin IV.
Black Dog is followed by one of the weaker songs on the album; Rock and Roll which I have always thought lacked some of the power behind many other Zeppelin songs.
However the quartet made up for the lack of Zeppelin-ness with the next two tracks: The Battle of Evermore and Stairway to heaven. The first of the two is a vocal masterpiece that utilizes Plant’s unique voice and guest vocalist Sandy Denny. Together they created a piece reminiscent of old English and Scottish folk music. A mandolin was used for the main melody, played by Paige, while a guitar provided subtle rhythm, played by Bonham.
Stairway to Heaven is far and wide the best known Zeppelin song. Haunting lyrics and melodies followed by an awe-inspiring solo from Paige make it an undeniable force in the world of music. The song has always held a great power over its listeners. Once again, listeners find that Plant’s voice completes the musical ingenuity of this piece.
The album finishes strong with Misty Mountain Hop, Four Sticks, Going to California and When the Levee Breaks. These four songs are indicative of Zeppelins diverse song writing abilities. Misty Mountain Hop and Four Sticks are somewhat up tempo songs while Going to California is a slow guitar/mandolin duet that could be associated with early western folk music. When the Levee Breaks is a blues song, representative of the blues roots of the band, and utilizes a harmonica to add the woeful feeling.
Call it what you like, this album is powerfully organized and executed. Even the weakest songs are still worth listening to.