Man… sometimes there’s another batch of Led Zeppelin reissues and you just want to close your eyes and wish it all away. I mean, the band put out eight (nine if you count Coda) classic, timeless albums, and then we have to suffer through a lifetime of BS because of it?
Well, good news: while these latest remastered (in other words, “sounds exactly the same as the version you already own”) reissues may seem like just another ennui-inducing sleepwalk to the bank for the blokes, there are some gems to be found in the bonus material, and it also serves as an important reminder as to just how great this band’s catalogue is.
It’s easy to not want to ever put on a Zeppelin album again, having suffered through their classics too many times to remember, having sat through one too many “baby”s from Robert Plant, having dealt with it all so many times.
But, what if you haven’t, and, like everyone does at some point, you’re just about to realize that this is in many senses the greatest band to have ever existed? Well, then, dive into these reissues of the band’s self-titled album, Led Zeppelin II, and Led Zeppelin III and discover exactly why your creepy uncle, your drunk dad, and your rocker bus driver all agree that there will never be another band that even comes close to these guys.
Led Zeppelin
The original material sounds like…
…a band accidentally stumbling into great things. There’s a blues base, an eye to the new hard rock of the time, and a whole lotta baby-babys, end result being a who-cares debut album that made everyone care. All these years later, parts of it can still give shivers.
The bonus material sounds like…
…absolute torture. An unholy live set from the era. You need to be stoned out of your bloody mind to think that this masturbation is remotely engaging. It’s not. Only highlight: mics picking up madman drummer John Bonham screaming during his drum solo.
This album is still important because…
…of the proto-heavy-metal riffing and bent-acid production sound. Although the heavy-handed blues is tiring, the album is nonetheless full of other, more life-affirming moments. A rare thing, indeed: a stoned-out ‘60s album that still sounds great.
You will enjoy listening to this all in one sitting if…
Led Zeppelin II
The original material sounds like…
…little teeny wizards with big big swords playing majestic rock music, and a brilliant, legendary, maniac drunk of a drummer getting a FULL DRUM SOLO ON A STUDIO ALBUM. And, against all odds, it works. This has more personality than their first, too.
The bonus material sounds like…
…different versions of the same songs, the kind of novelty warts-its that give grown men boners and make grown women question why grown men care about such things. But “Heartbreaker – Rough Mix with Vocal” made me, um, sit up erect, I must admit.
This album is still important because…
…while the middle of “Whole Lotta Love” is red-faced psychedelic meandering, that tune’s main riff is one of the best classic rock riffs ever. Not to mention “Heartbreaker” and “Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman)”. And “Thank You”? Classic.
You will enjoy listening to this all in one sitting if…
…you’re stoned.
Led Zeppelin III
The original material sounds like…
…a most natural amalgamation of crashing, bashing rockers and acoustic tunes that never drop to the level of cheap, heartstring-pulling melodies. It’s a great mix, and perhaps the first time Zeppelin utilized some maturity to go from outstandingly great to classic.
The bonus material sounds like…
…stuff that will appeal to lonely men and audiophiles (so, we’re back at lonely men), as it consists of studio outtakes, alternate versions, and some unreleased blues jamming. Interesting for one listen, but, as always, the original album packs more of a punch.
This album is still important because…
…it showed that rock bands can lay down acoustic material without it being a gimmick or overly cloying. Here, about half the damn album is unplugged, but it was no big thing: it was what it was, and it was great. And the proto-metal stomped, hard.
You will enjoy listening to this all in one sitting if…
…you’re a grown man who collects Led Zeppelin bootlegs, rarities, studio outtakes, singles, alternate versions, cover songs, and isolated guitar, bass, keyboard, vocal, and drum tracks. Or you’re stoned.
