Listen to some music here: podcasts.progrock.com/2024/03/12/sea-of-tranquilitys-ranking-the-albums/?fbclid=IwAR2VCgV6dAZmPorBtTGLW6QX6xWG6RmYt1t92FF25CwDVXgHh4GuLmzzjow
BarbarraBay...oh they didn't? They are the 4th or 5th biggest selling musical act in the history of recorded music ..that's including all categories and genres. Their record sales alone are about $200-$300 million worldwide. Only 3 or 4 other musical acts in history have topped that. They sold enough concert tickets to make the Beatles blush and broke records in that category also. This was all done with virtually no promotion whatsoever. Just word of mouth. They hardly did interviews, didn't go on tv or radio to promote a thing. They let their music do all the talking. LZ refused to play that game that all the other bands had to play to become successful. Tell me any other music artist that could do that? I could go on and on. Jimi Hendrix was a very great guitarist and a huge influence on guitarists world wide to be sure, but he ranks no where near Zeppelin. They dominated an entire decade, had a massive influence on music and musicians ( and still do). They also changed the way the music business was run by not allowing concert promotors to rip them off. Zep turned the tables on them and helped enable music artists to make a hell of a lot more money on concerts, instead of the promoters getting the majority of the profits. You can also thank their manager, Peter Grant for that. Your comment is uninformed and laughable.
Ciarán Cooling...Zep l was one of the biggest game changers ever. It has consistently been voted one of the top debut albums of all time. That album is my favorite Zep album of them all. Zep II was another great one. It actually knocked the Beatles' Abby Road off the top of the charts.
Achilles Last Stand, and then Night flight, off of Physical Graffiti, have been my favorites lately, but then I go through phases of Zeppelin, where I'll rediscover 1 album or another
Presence is my favorite Zeppelin album. Achilles Last Stand is the best thing they ever did imo. For Your Life, Nobody's Fault But Mine, Tea For One... Great songs.
Definitely my favorite too and probably because we dont hear these songs ever on radio thank god and its a solid underrated masterpiece in my opinion..This,HotH and Zeppelin 1 are my favorites. Zeppelin 2 is solid but never did much for me
The four songs you listed are indeed epic. If everything else on there was on that level, Presence would have earned its place in the Rock and Roll firmament. Unfortunately, its the other tracks that weigh it down. I think heroin and ill-tidings with the group derailed what could have been their greatest moment.
Juan Carlos Sevinones You can say the same for most of their work, though. Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker, and Ramble on are also a couple of their biggest songs. Their discography is just so solid
I am a die hard zeppelin fan as much as I love the first album i also feel that the second album is a little bit stronger as well both are great albums
I think the tracklist is so consistent on this record and also I really appreciate the rawer production on the debut contrary to a lot of opinions - always a really emotive and satisfying listen front to back for me. The second album never had the same impact, it has some great tunes like Heartbreaker but it lacks consistency.
The debut album has always been my favorite. It is closest to their blues influence and contains the most raw energy. One of its main appeals is its rough edges around its hardest rocking tunes.
B4 Mothership was released someone once asked me if LZ had greatest hits albums. My response was YES ! 1,2,3,4 HOTH, PG,PR, ITTOD, and CODA. They are all greatest hits albums !
For sure it is. Presence is one of my favorites (Jimmy Page's too), I would rate it higher than V. Presence has my favorite Led Zepplin song of all time "Nobody's Fault But Mine", which they stole from Blind Willie Johnson.
Presence has it's moments for sure but there's 2 or 3 fillers on it ( Candy Store Rock, Hots on for Nowhere) and 7 tracks is not enough for a full album. Also Tea for One is basically a remake of SIBLY. The album itself was recorded in just 2 months so it was probably rushed which is a shame. I never understood why they didn't take their time since they had all of 1976 to work on it. If they had come up with another 3-4 good songs, Presence could have been a classic.
@Jimo Yes, "Nobody's Fault" is up there with their best. And I overlooked the fact that Page's heroin addiction was kicking in around this time which would have no doubt limited his effectiveness. That probably explains it all.
"In my time of dying" was the first song that grabbed me and got me hooked on Zeppelin! Got stoned and had to hear it like 3 times in a row! I was obsessed! About 16 in '92....
mines 1. houses of the holy no quarter is my fav led zep song ever 2 .presence fav track tea for one 3 .in through the out door 4. led zeppelin IV stairway to heaven is a masterpiece 5. Physical graffiti for down by the seaside of course the beauty kashmir 6 .led zep III 7. Led Zeppelin dazed and confused is wicked black mountain side just a magical tune by jimmy page 8 .Coda wearing and tearing 9 .led zep II
lisa macdougall...I absolutely agree! That song has always been in my top 10, just for the middle section alone with Jimmy's 12 string. I love Bonzo's drumming during the whole thing.
I saw Led Zeppelin in concert right after Houses of the Holy had come out, so May of 1973. The band was smoldering in those days. Arguably at the apex of their career. Best concert I’ll ever see.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! FINALLY someone who shares my outlook! Physical Graffiti is my favorite Zep album too, and I also agree that while Stairway to Heaven's still a great song, I hate how that song has practically overshadowed the band's entire catalog! I mean these were in a sense "the New Beatles". Virtually everything they've done is awesome and worth checking out! Thanks Pete! I'm glad I found ya, man!
My favorite Led Zeppelin song, in and of itself, is "Achilles Last Stand," off "Presence." My favorite overall album, though, is "Led Zeppelin III." It's interesting to note how many of the fans didn't care for 'III when it was first released. They were asking, "What's with all this folk music on a 'Zeppelin album?" Yet I feel it balances out the very definition of the band's name. Jimmy Page even said the name of the band tells you what they're all about: the hard and heavy ("Led") countered by the soft and light ("Zeppelin").
Charles Elliott..I think it was more the music critics (mainly Rolling Stone mag) who hated lll. But their opinions were never worth the paper they were printed on. In fact, I think they pretty much trashed all their other albums too.
Zep III has a great balance of beauty and skull smashers. All songs are golden. Presence is epic and I find Graffiti to be a stoney balance of the others.
I heard someone (a radio DJ, perhaps?) say that Led Zeppelin is considered to be one of the heaviest bands out there, yet half of their musical output was acoustic. Very cool, and so true.
Hey Pete - another great episode. Led Zep III was released just when I entered High School - I was blown away with it after hearing the first 2 albums - Side Rock & Side Folk - never heard anything like it. Because of the diversity on this LP, it still remains my favorite. Have you ever done a top 10 on Jethro Tull??
Physical Graffiti, perfect choice! In the Light is my all time favorite song. The Rover, Ten Years Gone, In My Time of Dying, even Kashmir (which is SO overplayed) all show the amazing versatility these four genius' had.
crap, I just ruined my In Through the Outdoor album cover, is "wet" a color? I remember when this album came out, I referred to it as "In through the Outhouse", still don't like it and Led Zeppelin was my favorite band.
It was actually the sleeve that could be painted with a paintbrush dipped in water. Also there were seven different camera angles of the cover art scene labeled A to G on the spine. You couldn't tell which one you were buying because of the brown wrapper the album was packaged in.
Great video Pete. Physical Graffiti is also my favourite. All their albums have a lot of great songs. Like any band some albums are better than others.
Yeah I don't understand the dislike for this album. I think its just as strong as most of their other albums, maybe not as good as Physical Graffiti but definitely as good as 1-4.
@@rogerhickson7256 wow. That’s pretty insane! Can’t say I’ve ever heard anything like that in my 43 years... it has to go dead last and although Achilles Last Stand’ may just be my favorite Zep song it’s their 2nd worst album...
Just no... Between Plant’s “I’m-pushing-out-a-sideways-shit” vocals and the damn synthesizers, the album is barely listenable. All My Love and In the Evening get a pass, but everything else, especially the terrible Hot Dog and Carouselambra, should’ve never seen the light of day.
Snake: Imagine how good 'Houses...' would've been if it was released in the CD era. With the extra space Jimmy wouldn't have had to shelve three songs (that ended up on Physical Graffiti). I made a special mix of 'Houses...' with The Rover coming between Rain Song & Over The Hills - it really enhances things as you get a major cruncher between two less heavy tunes. On Side Two; Black Country Woman right before D'yer Maker and Houses of the Holy right after. It's an amazing upgrade to an already great album.
1. Physical Graffiti (1975) 2. Led Zeppelin II (1969) 3. Led Zeppelin IV (1971) 4. Houses of The Holy (1973) 5. Led Zeppelin III (1970) 6. Led Zeppelin (1969) 7. Presence (1976) 8. In Through The Out Door (1979) 9. Coda (1982)
Zep really doesn’t have a bad album except for presence c’mon I get in through the out door isn’t as rocking as their previous but it still has great songs
I've always put the debut as my #1 favorite, every single song on that album is perfect, there's so many interesting melodies with so much blues and rock. IV is a close second and II third.
Hi Pete, great video. I'd love to see more of these best to worst albums shows. To be honest I like the concept better than Top 10 songs because I'm mostly a "whole album" listener. My LZ best to worst 1. Led Zeppelin IV [Walking into Clarksdale would be second ... if it was an actual LZ album] 2. Led Zeppelin III 3. Houses of the Holy 4. Physical Graffiti 5. Presence 6. Led Zeppelin I 7. Led Zeppelin II [not sure about the remaining two albums because I don't remember them]
Agree with everything on your list except that In Through The Out Door is a very underrated album and deserves a higher ranking than Presence (which is my least favourite Zep album). Best post LZ albums from Page & Plant: Jimmy Page - Coverdale/Page and Robert Plant - Fate Of Nations.
Fate of Nations is what I imagine Led Zeppelin would have sounded like had Bonham lived and they were still recording in the 1990's. I saw Plant on this tour and it was brilliant. Coverdale Page on the other hand, is my least favorite solo project by any Zeppelin member for various reasons, mostly due to David Coverdale who at the time referred to Robert Plant as his grandfather in a less then flattering way. Though it may have convinced Plant to get back with Page for a couple albums.
Great ranking. I’ve never been a big Led Zep fan. I think our local radio station ruined that by playing the same tracks over and over again so I got tuned off to them years ago. I’ve always love a few tunes like Misty Mountain Hop but never listened to the whole catalog. Definitely will give them another shot after hearing what you had to say about each album since I don’t think I’ve given them the time and respect they deserve.
@@Nick-qf7vt 3 years later, III has sort of dropped in my ranking but I'd still say its diverse. Heavy rock, electric blues, a more traditional blues track (Roy Harper), Friends with the string section, the folky stuff....
Dude! I just finished listening to the review of Jethro Tull albums and I was thinking I would LOVE it if you did Traffic! And VOILA! And you nailed it!
Picking a fav is tough. Today' it's Physical Graffiti, next week it might be IV or Houses. Though not a heavy guitar album, JP Jones work on Carouselambra gave In Through The Outdoor a fresh hit of keys that rocked it
Fun stuff! Great job! Like you, my top 5 are close. My faves... 1. Houses Of The Holy 2. IV 3. I 4. III 5. II 6. In Through The Out Door 7. Presence 8. Physical Graffiti 9. Coda
For me Led Zeppelin III is just the perfect Zep album because it is so diverse in its influences! Since I've Been Loving You is just mesmerising and steals the album. It also has to be the best Zep song as well for me. I love the folk, blues and rock that is mixed into the sound, but Bron Y Aur Stomp, Friends, Immigrant Song... are all fantastic! It has its heavy points and its softer points! My dad said the same thing, Pete. When he was younger, he practically ignored the album because it was so mellow but now he has grown older and partly left his motorbike riding, leather days behind, he can really appreciate the softer side of Zep! Great channel and great rankings - they're all amazing!
I agree completely with your rankings, though Presence and their debut could flip on any given day. For Your Life remains one of my favorite Zep songs ever. Thank you for putting this together 👍
I used to think I was in a minority with Physical Graffiti being my favorite, but I've found out since that there are lots of people who recognize it as the masterpiece that it is. Probably the only double album where there isn't a single song that I don't like. Surprised that you rank III so high as I know lots of people who dismiss that one. It is somewhat of a dark horse.
It is diverse. I find it flows nicely with Presence and 3. You can stream those three albums and have a nice consistent Zep set. The early 2 are bluesier and Out Door is pop key/synth so I trim them from the Presence, Graffit, Zep3 cluster. Then you pack the bong.
@@aviationlba747 I appreciate my view, as anyones is totally subjective, possibly by the fact I grew up with 1-4. However I think most of Plants vocals just don’t sound so intimate on PG. Also approximately 1/3 of PG is quite mediocre. I don’t recognise a single mediocre song on the first 4 albums. However I respect everyone’s opinion.
@@beawsbiz Fair enough. Physical Graffiti is my favourite album of all time, which makes it my favourite LZ album by default. I personally don’t think there is any filler on the album, aside from maybe Black Country Woman and Boogie With Stu, which are still decent in my opinion.
It felt like I was listening to myself talk when I heard your album-by-album review. I'll bet, despite your feeling about "Going to California," you dig the section where Plant sings, "Seems like the wrath of the gods..." Am I right? Nice tee, by the way.
Awesome video Pete! In fact it's really hard to rank the Zep's albums, everytime I change the order. By now, that's my list: 9- CODA 8- In Through the Out Door 7- Led Zeppelin I 6- Presence 5- Led Zeppelin II 4- Led Zeppelin III 3- Houses of the Holy 2- Led Zeppelin IV 1- Physical Graffiti
Pete, I always try to guess what you’re #1 is gonna be before the show starts! Lol .. I’m often correct because you and I are pretty much the same with our likes! Just fun to watch! These are great shows!🤟
My ranking of Led Zeppelin studio albums: 8. Presence (1976) 7. In Through The Out Door (1979) 6. Led Zeppelin III (1970) 5. Houses Of The Holy (1973) 4. Led Zeppelin (1969) 3. Led Zeppelin II (1969) 2. Physical Graffiti (1975) 1. Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Your list is very similar to mine at this current moment in time: 9. Coda 8. Presence 7. In Through The Outdoor 6. LZ I 5. LZ II 4. Houses Of The Holy 3. Physical Graffiti 2. LZ III 1. LZ IV
It is so difficult to pick a Led Zeppelin "Best Album," Just buy their whole catalog and marvel at the greatness of EACH album. For what it's worth: 1) Zeppelin IV 2) Zeppelin II 3) Houses of the Holy 4) Zeppelin I 5) Physical Graffiti 6) Zeppelin III 7) Presence 8) In Through The Out Door Keep in mind, however, the top 8 are definitely interchangeable!
I like Led Zeppelin so much that some time ago I decided to stop listening to them for a whole year, I did that experiment because I thought it was time to stop and because I was doubting my sanity. For me there is not a single bad album, I listen to them according to the mood I have at the moment, but I never get tired of listening In my time of dying...................And When the leve breaks.....and Achilles last stand......and......How many more times.......and..... Oh no, here I go again!...😵
1. Houses of the Holy [despite having the dreaded "The Crunge"] 2. Led Zeppelin 3. Led Zeppelin III 4. Led Zeppelin II 5. Zoso (IV) 6. Presence 7. Physical Graffiti [Yeah, I know...it's kinda low] 8. In Through the Outdoor 9. Coda
The Grunge was a joke from the band. Either you got it or you didn't. With my warped sense of humor, I got it. Now, *where can I find that CONfounded bridge??*
Don't mind the Crunge anywhere near as much as 'D'yer Maker', imo their worst tune along with 'Boogie with Stu', 'Trampled Under Foot', and 'Hats off to Roy Harper'.
"Presence" is Jimmy Page's and my 2nd favorite LZ album. One of the reasons is because none of the songs are overplayed on radio. Another reason is that I feel "Achilles Last Stand" is the greatest song they ever did. Another reason is that I feel "Tea For One" is not only the most underrated song they ever did, it's the best blues song they ever did. Yes, that's right, even better than "Since I've Been Loving You." Consider Plant's situation at the time he wrote the lyrics. Broken leg. His wife in critical condition at the hospital, his kids hurt like hell.......all from that terrible accident in Greece. And yet he was forced to move from England right after the accident due to the country's ridiculous 90% taxation at the time. The song is the ultimate blues, and I love how Page doesn't overplay on the song. His playing is just somber. Plant has said that "Candy Store Rock" is one of the band's best tunes. The band brought out "For Your Life" for their great Ahmet Ertegun reunion show. "Nobody's Fault But Mine" is a classic. I think famous L.A. DJ Uncle Joe Benson nailed it on the head as to why "Presence" never got its due. Due to Plant's injury, the band had to wait a whole year to tour. This prevented them from really supporting the record. They could only play two songs from it: "Achilles" and "Nobody's Fault But Mine." I am certain that if there had been a proper "Presence:" tour, we would've heard 2 to 3 more tunes from the record in concert. The album was almost forgotten because it was never properly promoted. I just love the record because I am a guitar player, and I just feel the album is Jimmy's masterpiece in terms of building up electric guitars and creating what he called a "guitar army." The overdubs on "Achilles" are masterful and so creative. One thing about ranking the Led Zeppelin albums is that now you have to consider the companion discs when evaluating the records. I mean, "Coda" became a whole lot better with its two bonus discs. Just so everyone knows, every member of Led Zep (and this includes the deceased John Bonham) believes that "Physical Graffiti" is by far and away their best album, and "Kashmir" by far and away their greatest song. Of course Plant is well known for saying that "Stairway," despite its enormous popularity, is a middle of the road Zeppelin track. He feels songs ranging from "Achilles" to "The Wanton Song" to "Black Dog" to "Ramble On" are far superior.
Matt Smith...you took all the words out of my mouth about Presence and I feel the exactly the same about Tea For One. I fell completely in love with that one the first time I heard it back in '82. It's been one of my top 5 Zep songs ever since that day.
@@MJEvermore853 It's a great album isn't it Marilyn? I can only listen to Led Zeppelin IV once per year because it is so overcooked on American radio. It still blows my mind that they recorded "Presence" and mixed it in 18 days despite Plant reinjuring himself and Page's drug problems during the sessions. The Rolling Stones, who entered Musicland Studios in Munich to continue their "Black And Blue" record after LZ completed "Presence" were absolutely floored that they recorded and mixed the thing in 18 days. Believe me, it wasn't a punk rock album! Tons and tons and tons of guitar overdubs.
Super show! Got to this one pretty late but deliberately. I was one of those cats who went through a Lez Zep 'phase' and mine lasted for about...3-1/2 years or so. A long time of exploring one album at a time when In Through was the last one available back then. Your rankings were SPOT ON! Yeah, it's about opinion and all but the method you used and the point that you said it got dicey was right on the money. Their albums always more than just a few strong songs. No reason why you could not just play entire sides versus this song or that one. I never got back into Zep like I was during those 3-1/2 years but what then happened was that I graduated to the level that I still like what I think is their uber best stuff. And yeah, Stairway is STILL overplayed. Maybe not as much now but in the 70s and 80s, I think it was looked at as the arguably greatest rock song of the 1970s. Again, this was an awesome one. Even if I disagreed with you, it'd still be good but, as it turns out, your tastes in music and mine are nearly identical...Metal and Prog!
My worst to best: With favorite track (or combo tracks)# on the album. 9) Coda (none) 8) Presence (Achillas Last Stand) 7) Led Zeppelin III (Since I've Been Loving You) 6) In Through the Out Door (All My Love) 5) Led Zeppelin II (Heartbreaker / Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman))# 4) Led Zeppelin (Babe I'm Gonna Leave You)) 3) Physical Graffiti (House of Holy / Kashmir)# 2) Ruins or Led Zeppelin IV (Battle of Evermore / Stairway to Heaven)# 1) Houses of the Holy (D'Yer Ma'ker / The Crunge)# *Now, only if I can find that CONfounded bridge.*
@@banishedfromthedwarfplanet530 - back in the day before CD's & good sounding cassette tapes, it's the only Led Zeppelin album that most Zep fans would get up & flip over the LP instead of changing the record for something else. Besides: *Led Zeppelin was Dread Zeppelin* before there was a *band named Dread Zeppelin* with *D'Yer Ma'ker.* Only thing missing was Elvis singing lead vocals. Still can't find that *CONfounded bridge.* Thanks.
kevin the truck driver>> You're welcome. True, Led Zeppelin did a kind of modified reggae song structure with D'yer Ma'ker before it was hip for rock bands to do so. The name is a play on words for Jamaica as you probably know. What many people don't know is that the reason Plant asks where the bridge is at the end of the "The Crunge" is because the song contains no bridge at all. The bridge of a song is where it changes into another chord structure, or has some form of change, like a chorus. Musically, The Crunge stays exactly the same throughout the entire song. No bridge. "No Quarter" from HOTH is my favorite Zeppelin song of all time. "That's the Way" from the third album is a very close second. As a side note, I saw Dread Zeppelin a few years back in Los Angeles and they were actually quite entertaining. Tortelvis is a very good vocalist. I hold out hope that Robert Plant will find that bridge someday before he leaves this earth.
I never was into Led Zeppelin so far i discovered Physical Graffiti...and what should i say...man what a great Album it is great Guitar Work from Jimmy..wow Thanx Pete
Lz 4, 2 and 1 are the essential classics. 3, physical graffiti and HOH has few great tracks on each. Presence is mediocre, coda and ITTOT are below average
Pete, your list mirrors mine exactly - nice one. Just as a bit of information, the track D''yer Mak'er is actually pronounced Jamaica, as in the island.
When I originally watched these I didn't give my own rankings, so I decided to go back through and do just that. I'm sure I'll get crap for putting "Graffiti" below "...Out Door", but... too bad. I included Coda, because for about ten years I didn't know it was a comp. I was young. Also, all of these are damn good. 9) Coda 8) Presence (I love these bottom two, though!!) 7) Led Zeppelin III 6) Physical Graffiti 5) In Through the Out Door 4) Houses of the Holy 3) Led Zeppelin 2) Led Zeppelin II 1) Led Zeppelin IV (Their version of "When The Levee Breaks" still gives me shivers.) The top three were really hard. I just went with my gut. Thanks for the video, Pete!
@Scott Leoski At the time the concept of making a compilation album from studio outtakes was relatively uncharted territory. It is something that benefits from better technology and plenty of time spent finding the right source material that would match to create a consistent statement. This was something that was rushed, under less than ideal circumstances.
Scott Leoski...Bonzo's Montreux is on there, Hey Hey What Can I Do. When Coda was released with a companion disc, that improved it greatly, IMO. The original version didn't have enough songs on it, but at least it had the live version of I Can't Quit You from the Royal Albert Hall 1970, at a time when it was damn near impossible for folks to get their hands on that bootlegged concert.
PRESENCE at the top for me. Hands down. I doubt you'll get much pushback on placing OUT DOOR and CODA at the bottom, however. All the others are tied for second-best behind PRESENCE. (And I'm a little surprised that BBC SESSIONS, CELEBRATION DAY, SONG REMAINS and HOW THE WEST WAS WON were left out altogether, though i can see your reasoning for doing so.)
Most of the live Led Zep sets, boots included, suffer from being the kinds of shows you really needed to be in physical attendance to get the most out of. (Meaning, 30+ minute renditions of DAZED are hard to sit through in your living room. Tenth row center is a whole other story, though.) Unexpected surprise: CELEBRATION DAY is _fantastic._
@@ShempDavidNiven. I have spoken too people who saw Zeppelin, Free and Deep Purple live from 1970 to 1975. Zeppelin repeatdly were viewed as the most mediocre live. The thrill of a 14 minute Jimmy Page solo wears off many people who saw them in their hay day told me. I actually prefer listening to my 36 minute bootleg copy of Dazed and Confused at home than at a 20,000 seat venue or worse. It is no coincidence that How the West was Won covers the year 1972. That was Led Zeppelin's best year. They were still hungry. However, money changes everything. Zeppelin were wealthy by the beginning of their 1973 tour. Their 3 shows started to become lame, paint by numbers affairs. Dazed and Confused became 45 mins long. The famous listen to the first 5 songs before they become boring as bat shit for the next 2 hours mentality began.
ShempDavidNiven...hey speak for yourselves! I've collected hundreds of LZ boots, most of which are pretty much untouchable, musically. I have yet to speak to anyone who's been at a Zep concert and wasnt blown away. I am repeatedly amazed at how great they were live thanks to these bootlegs. "Mediocre" isn't really a term used to describe the majority of them.😂 If I ever pick up a boring LZ boot, I'll let you know, but I've been collecting since '82. They've had shows where they're tired, sick, stoned beyond recognition, but I'm not going to base their entire career on a handful of shows that weren't up to their own standards. Led zeppelin were an even better band live...that's where the magic happened mostly. Their albums are almost more like shorter samples of their songs. Live is when it got real. These are your opinions so that's all good. But personally I think you're 🥴🥴🥴
2 blew my mind in 1993 when I was 12 and found my mom’s vinyl copy. 26 years later it is still at the top. No two songs sound the same. The bass is incredible. The drums, vocals, and guitar are obviously awesome but the bass just kills on this album.
Thanks! I grew up hearing LZ on the radio from the beginning (‘69 I think). All their albums have great songs . Houses is my favorite. This is not easy . I like their rockers and I like their folky stuff ! They were all over the map musically! Thanks
Listen to some music here: podcasts.progrock.com/2024/03/12/sea-of-tranquilitys-ranking-the-albums/?fbclid=IwAR2VCgV6dAZmPorBtTGLW6QX6xWG6RmYt1t92FF25CwDVXgHh4GuLmzzjow
I and II may not be the best Zep albums, but if you were old enough to be there, those 2 records completely changed the musical landscape.
Yves Vannes - Their best tours also....
Yves Vannes while 1 isn’t that great imo 2 is their best work
I listened to LZ for 3 years before I discovered Hendrix. Hendrix blew them away. LZ didn't really change music that much.
BarbarraBay...oh they didn't? They are the 4th or 5th biggest selling musical act in the history of recorded music ..that's including all categories and genres.
Their record sales alone are about $200-$300 million worldwide. Only 3 or 4 other musical acts in history have topped that.
They sold enough concert tickets to make the Beatles blush and broke records in that category also. This was all done with virtually no promotion whatsoever. Just word of mouth. They hardly did interviews, didn't go on tv or radio to promote a thing. They let their music do all the talking. LZ refused to play that game that all the other bands had to play to become successful. Tell me any other music artist that could do that?
I could go on and on. Jimi Hendrix was a very great guitarist and a huge influence on guitarists world wide to be sure, but he ranks no where near Zeppelin.
They dominated an entire decade, had a massive influence on music and musicians ( and still do). They also changed the way the music business was run by not allowing concert promotors to rip them off. Zep turned the tables on them and helped enable music artists to make a hell of a lot more money on concerts, instead of the promoters getting the majority of the profits. You can also thank their manager, Peter Grant for that.
Your comment is uninformed and laughable.
Ciarán Cooling...Zep l was one of the biggest game changers ever. It has consistently been voted one of the top debut albums of all time.
That album is my favorite Zep album of them all.
Zep II was another great one. It actually knocked the Beatles' Abby Road off the top of the charts.
"The Rover is on here, my favorite Zeppelin tune". You sir, found the chalice.
Silent Queue extremely underrated song
Achilles Last Stand, and then Night flight, off of Physical Graffiti, have been my favorites lately, but then I go through phases of Zeppelin, where I'll rediscover 1 album or another
I was rather impressed with the statement as well...
That’s the line that made me beam as well. Also my favorite.
It’s my favourite as well and also it’s on my favourite album.
Presence is my favorite Zeppelin album. Achilles Last Stand is the best thing they ever did imo. For Your Life, Nobody's Fault But Mine, Tea For One... Great songs.
I didn't understand Presence when I first heard it, but I eventually got it. The fact that there are no recognizable singles makes it better for me.
For You Life at the Reunion was Money!!!
Definitely my favorite too and probably because we dont hear these songs ever on radio thank god and its a solid underrated masterpiece in my opinion..This,HotH and Zeppelin 1 are my favorites. Zeppelin 2 is solid but never did much for me
Achilles Last Stand is such an amazing piece of music!
The four songs you listed are indeed epic. If everything else on there was on that level, Presence would have earned its place in the Rock and Roll firmament. Unfortunately, its the other tracks that weigh it down. I think heroin and ill-tidings with the group derailed what could have been their greatest moment.
Led Zep II doesn't have a single weak track on it. By far the best and one of the greatest albums ever.
I definitely would have rated it higher.
Absolutely agree .. for me it's the ultimate rock album, and Whole Lotta Love features the ultimate rock riff.
Agreed.
Yup.. Zeppelin 2.. Zeppelin 3.. Physical Graffiti.. Zeppelin 4.. Zeppelin 1st album.. Me top 5.
I'm with you - II for me is the best.
Great review, Kashmir needs a mention though! 👍
Agree... you could see legions of soldiers to war with its power.
And down by the seaside 🙌🏿
@@MetalGodWithLysergicAcid That’s a throwaway track, probably one of the worst songs off Physical Graffiti.
The radio stations have tried to make us sick of hearing Kashmir! They can't do it though! Keep on rockin!
Physical Graffiti for mine. When it was released it just blew me away.
I would put Zeppelin debut higher I mean Communication breakdown, Dazed and confused, Babe Im gonna leave are huge songs from these guys.
Juan Carlos Sevinones You can say the same for most of their work, though. Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker, and Ramble on are also a couple of their biggest songs. Their discography is just so solid
I am a die hard zeppelin fan as much as I love the first album i also feel that the second album is a little bit stronger as well both are great albums
Correct
I think the tracklist is so consistent on this record and also I really appreciate the rawer production on the debut contrary to a lot of opinions - always a really emotive and satisfying listen front to back for me. The second album never had the same impact, it has some great tunes like Heartbreaker but it lacks consistency.
The debut album has always been my favorite. It is closest to their blues influence and contains the most raw energy. One of its main appeals is its rough edges around its hardest rocking tunes.
I agree I know How Many More Times ia a cover but man thats my favorite Zep song. So heavy that whole record.
In 1969 when I first hear Led Zeppelin first album my friends and I was totally blown away. Zeppelin one is my favorite.
B4 Mothership was released someone once asked me if LZ had greatest hits albums. My response was YES ! 1,2,3,4 HOTH, PG,PR, ITTOD, and CODA. They are all greatest hits albums !
Presence is so god damn underrated.
For sure it is. Presence is one of my favorites (Jimmy Page's too), I would rate it higher than V. Presence has my favorite Led Zepplin song of all time "Nobody's Fault But Mine", which they stole from Blind Willie Johnson.
Presence has it's moments for sure but there's 2 or 3 fillers on it ( Candy Store Rock, Hots on for Nowhere) and 7 tracks is not enough for a full album. Also Tea for One is basically a remake of SIBLY. The album itself was recorded in just 2 months so it was probably rushed which is a shame. I never understood why they didn't take their time since they had all of 1976 to work on it. If they had come up with another 3-4 good songs, Presence could have been a classic.
@@aussieboy77 yeah. yr wrong.
@Jimo Yes, "Nobody's Fault" is up there with their best. And I overlooked the fact that Page's heroin addiction was kicking in around this time which would have no doubt limited his effectiveness. That probably explains it all.
I could dance to Achille's Last Stand forever
"In my time of dying" was the first song that grabbed me and got me hooked on Zeppelin! Got stoned and had to hear it like 3 times in a row! I was obsessed! About 16 in '92....
Oh my god. After all these years, I’d mistook ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ as ‘Misty Mountain Top’
Personally I would have had the first album a little higher but hey!Great videoSabbath Next!
Yes! LZ1 is awesome!
I way prefer the debut to II. It's a hell of a lot heavier than II, and much more raw.
Carouselambra is my fav tune too love when that song just goes to hearing jimmy's guitar and plants voice
mines
1. houses of the holy no quarter is my fav led zep song ever
2 .presence fav track tea for one
3 .in through the out door
4. led zeppelin IV stairway to heaven is a masterpiece
5. Physical graffiti for down by the seaside of course the beauty kashmir
6 .led zep III
7. Led Zeppelin dazed and confused is wicked black mountain side just a magical tune by jimmy page
8 .Coda wearing and tearing
9 .led zep II
lisa macdougall...I absolutely agree! That song has always been in my top 10, just for the middle section alone with Jimmy's 12 string. I love Bonzo's drumming during the whole thing.
"Carouselambra" top ten song!
III is my favorite. I think you need to include Hey Hey What Can I Do with that album as it was the B side to Immigrant Song.
Me too! Exactly - and if u replace ‘hey hey... with ‘hats off’ u have a dead classic all time 10 perfect song album!
I saw Led Zeppelin in concert right after Houses of the Holy had come out, so May of 1973. The band was smoldering in those days. Arguably at the apex of their career. Best concert I’ll ever see.
Bet that was amazing!!!
Without a doubt I think 1973 was their best tour because Jimmy was on fire. Proof is in the pudding if you watch.
5 - Houses Of The Holy
4 - In Through The Out Door
3 - Led Zeppelin 3
2 - Led Zeppelin 4
1 - Led Zeppelin S/T (1969)
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! FINALLY someone who shares my outlook! Physical Graffiti is my favorite Zep album too, and I also agree that while Stairway to Heaven's still a great song, I hate how that song has practically overshadowed the band's entire catalog! I mean these were in a sense "the New Beatles". Virtually everything they've done is awesome and worth checking out! Thanks Pete! I'm glad I found ya, man!
My favorite Led Zeppelin song, in and of itself, is "Achilles Last Stand," off "Presence." My favorite overall album, though, is "Led Zeppelin III." It's interesting to note how many of the fans didn't care for 'III when it was first released. They were asking, "What's with all this folk music on a 'Zeppelin album?" Yet I feel it balances out the very definition of the band's name. Jimmy Page even said the name of the band tells you what they're all about: the hard and heavy ("Led") countered by the soft and light ("Zeppelin").
Charles Elliott..I think it was more the music critics (mainly Rolling Stone mag) who hated lll. But their opinions were never worth the paper they were printed on. In fact, I think they pretty much trashed all their other albums too.
@@MJEvermore853 Rolling Stone magazine exists solely to suck off the Beatles and bash all other good music. It's such a boomer magazine.
Zep III has a great balance of beauty and skull smashers. All songs are golden. Presence is epic and I find Graffiti to be a stoney balance of the others.
@@bluedream9668 Yes! I agree!
I heard someone (a radio DJ, perhaps?) say that Led Zeppelin is considered to be one of the heaviest bands out there, yet half of their musical output was acoustic. Very cool, and so true.
You can't go wrong with Zeppelin. For some reason, the third album will always be number one for me.
Physical Graffiti is my Dad's favorite Zeppelin album. Still charge over $25 for that album when I see it in stores.
The vinyl reissues are like $50. Hard for us young guys to afford that stuff.
@@Nick-qf7vt yes it is
Love the fact that we agree 99% of the time, not only on the order of your ranking, but for almost always the exact same reason. Great job!!!
Great vid - would have loved to have seen Zep in their pomp / so many good songs
Ranking Zeppelin albums, is like ranking sex.......They’re all great, it’s just that some stand out more than others......
Damn right Mike...
Sober Vs drunk sex?!
As they say about pizza... Led Zeppelin albums are like sex - when they're good they're good, and when they're bad they're still pretty good.
You haven't sexed before have you?
Interesting, I would put Presence exactly where you did and I love the album too. Shows how great Zep was.
Before watching this I ranked mine n guess what, I came up with the same order.
Love your work Pete, keep it coming! 👍
Hey Pete - another great episode. Led Zep III was released just when I entered High School - I was blown away with it after hearing the first 2 albums - Side Rock & Side Folk - never heard anything like it. Because of the diversity on this LP, it still remains my favorite. Have you ever done a top 10 on Jethro Tull??
Physical Graffiti, perfect choice! In the Light is my all time favorite song. The Rover, Ten Years Gone, In My Time of Dying, even Kashmir (which is SO overplayed) all show the amazing versatility these four genius' had.
I remember when In Through The Out Door was first released (before CDs) you could change the album cover colour by brushing it with water.
crap, I just ruined my In Through the Outdoor album cover,
is "wet" a color?
I remember when this album came out,
I referred to it as "In through the Outhouse",
still don't like it and Led Zeppelin was my favorite band.
@@matrtdc I think you had to get the first limited edition ones
It was actually the sleeve that could be painted with a paintbrush dipped in water. Also there were seven different camera angles of the cover art scene labeled A to G on the spine. You couldn't tell which one you were buying because of the brown wrapper the album was packaged in.
Great video Pete.
Physical Graffiti is also my favourite. All their albums have a lot of great songs. Like any band some albums are better than others.
That T shirt is Sweet Pete!!!
Not going to ask the vendor. 😆
Cheers, loving the videos.
Sorry, I absolutely love In Through The Out Door. In The Evening is hands down my favorite but I dig every track
Yeah I don't understand the dislike for this album. I think its just as strong as most of their other albums, maybe not as good as Physical Graffiti but definitely as good as 1-4.
@@rogerhickson7256 Just no Pete is right a dull LP lacking power I to IV are infinitely better!
Preach!!!
@@rogerhickson7256 wow. That’s pretty insane! Can’t say I’ve ever heard anything like that in my 43 years... it has to go dead last and although Achilles Last Stand’ may just be my favorite Zep song it’s their 2nd worst album...
Just no... Between Plant’s “I’m-pushing-out-a-sideways-shit” vocals and the damn synthesizers, the album is barely listenable. All My Love and In the Evening get a pass, but everything else, especially the terrible Hot Dog and Carouselambra, should’ve never seen the light of day.
My fave will always be houses of the holy, it’s just so solid,,, but their debut comes in second for me!
Fav track on it snakenumber9 mines no quarter cool bowie icon
Snakenumber9 Yessir.
Snakenumber9 Agreed it’s one of their more experimental and weirder albums
Snake: Imagine how good 'Houses...' would've been if it was released in the CD era. With the extra space Jimmy wouldn't have had to shelve three songs (that ended up on Physical Graffiti).
I made a special mix of 'Houses...' with The Rover coming between Rain Song & Over The Hills - it really enhances things as you get a major cruncher between two less heavy tunes. On Side Two; Black Country Woman right before D'yer Maker and Houses of the Holy right after. It's an amazing upgrade to an already great album.
all there stuff is so good i could not possibly do a best to worst list I loved in through the out door
Great job Pete
1. Physical Graffiti (1975)
2. Led Zeppelin II (1969)
3. Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
4. Houses of The Holy (1973)
5. Led Zeppelin III (1970)
6. Led Zeppelin (1969)
7. Presence (1976)
8. In Through The Out Door (1979)
9. Coda (1982)
Zep really doesn’t have a bad album except for presence c’mon I get in through the out door isn’t as rocking as their previous but it still has great songs
Brilliant list, led zep II is very underrated, I’d have in through the out door a little higher tho.
I've always put the debut as my #1 favorite, every single song on that album is perfect, there's so many interesting melodies with so much blues and rock. IV is a close second and II third.
Oh, this I want to see! (having a beer as I am watching the vid).
Hi Pete, great video. I'd love to see more of these best to worst albums shows. To be honest I like the concept better than Top 10 songs because I'm mostly a "whole album" listener.
My LZ best to worst
1. Led Zeppelin IV
[Walking into Clarksdale would be second ... if it was an actual LZ album]
2. Led Zeppelin III
3. Houses of the Holy
4. Physical Graffiti
5. Presence
6. Led Zeppelin I
7. Led Zeppelin II
[not sure about the remaining two albums because I don't remember them]
When I’m asked to pick “desert island discs” I could fill it with Zeppelin and die happy.
Agree with everything on your list except that In Through The Out Door is a very underrated album and deserves a higher ranking than Presence (which is my least favourite Zep album). Best post LZ albums from Page & Plant: Jimmy Page - Coverdale/Page and Robert Plant - Fate Of Nations.
Fate of Nations is what I imagine Led Zeppelin would have sounded like had Bonham lived and they were still recording in the 1990's. I saw Plant on this tour and it was brilliant.
Coverdale Page on the other hand, is my least favorite solo project by any Zeppelin member for various reasons, mostly due to David Coverdale who at the time referred to Robert Plant as his grandfather in a less then flattering way. Though it may have convinced Plant to get back with Page for a couple albums.
Can you name one song on " In Through The Out Door " as good as Archille's Last Stand or nobody's Fault But Mine ?
@@phillipanderson7398 Yes, In the Evening, Carouselambra, All My Love and I'm Gonna Crawl. All amazing songs!
Great ranking. I’ve never been a big Led Zep fan. I think our local radio station ruined that by playing the same tracks over and over again so I got tuned off to them years ago. I’ve always love a few tunes like Misty Mountain Hop but never listened to the whole catalog. Definitely will give them another shot after hearing what you had to say about each album since I don’t think I’ve given them the time and respect they deserve.
I would have to agree..just buying these on vinyl, just a delight! Good review!
III and Physical Graffiti are my favorites. Their most diverse albums, IMO.
That’s my exact stance on their discography.
I second that!
I feel the same. Page always said Kashmir was his favorite song. I can’t pick a favorite zeppelin tune, that’s just too hard.
PG is diverse, but 3? If by diverse you mean 75% folk, sure...
@@Nick-qf7vt 3 years later, III has sort of dropped in my ranking but I'd still say its diverse. Heavy rock, electric blues, a more traditional blues track (Roy Harper), Friends with the string section, the folky stuff....
In Through The Out Door is still my favourite Zep album.
Dude! Surely you jest!
Not my favourite either, but it's all about personal taste 🏴
In Though is very underrated. Not my fav, but much better than most Zep fans acknowledge.
Same top 4 I'm with you man. Especially #1. So hard to rank zeppelin. They're all smokin. Thank you.
Dude! I just finished listening to the review of Jethro Tull albums and I was thinking I would LOVE it if you did Traffic! And VOILA! And you nailed it!
Houses of the Holy is my favorite album
it's their best
Yup
And 4
There are no bad Led Zeppelin albums. Yes, that includes Coda.
I agree, I like everything they did
You ROCK my friend thank you
you nailed it. 1st time i agree w/ you Lol. Thanks for these shows your actually getting me back into music
Zeppelin never had a bad album IMO - it's just not in their nature. Even Coda I thought was pretty good.
Love all the Zeppelin albums, III is my favorite though.
@Luuk Hulsman i
Picking a fav is tough. Today' it's Physical Graffiti, next week it might be IV or Houses. Though not a heavy guitar album, JP Jones work on Carouselambra gave In Through The Outdoor a fresh hit of keys that rocked it
Love your program ! Led Zeppelin 2 is their best ! Agree most of the time (Dixit Dylan).
Pete.... completely agree with your list...
PG has always been my favorite, gotta put Zep 1 2nd as I like it better then Zep 2
You know I never gave houses of the Holy the credit it deserved either in my youth. Realized as I got older how great it really was or is :-)
Fun stuff! Great job! Like you, my top 5 are close.
My faves...
1. Houses Of The Holy
2. IV
3. I
4. III
5. II
6. In Through The Out Door
7. Presence
8. Physical Graffiti
9. Coda
For me Led Zeppelin III is just the perfect Zep album because it is so diverse in its influences! Since I've Been Loving You is just mesmerising and steals the album. It also has to be the best Zep song as well for me. I love the folk, blues and rock that is mixed into the sound, but Bron Y Aur Stomp, Friends, Immigrant Song... are all fantastic! It has its heavy points and its softer points! My dad said the same thing, Pete. When he was younger, he practically ignored the album because it was so mellow but now he has grown older and partly left his motorbike riding, leather days behind, he can really appreciate the softer side of Zep! Great channel and great rankings - they're all amazing!
Going to California - my favorite Zeppelin tune ever. Very underrated.
ITTOD is a great album. For me it's the strongest of all the late-era Zep records. In the Evening and Carouselambra are definitely the highlights
And fool in the rain, and every other track for me
I agree completely with your rankings, though Presence and their debut could flip on any given day. For Your Life remains one of my favorite Zep songs ever. Thank you for putting this together 👍
Vol III is simply terrific! That's the way and Since I've been loving you are my favorite tracks on the album!
For me the first 4 are great but my favorite Zeppelin is houses of the holy to in through the outdoor
I used to think I was in a minority with Physical Graffiti being my favorite, but I've found out since that there are lots of people who recognize it as the masterpiece that it is. Probably the only double album where there isn't a single song that I don't like. Surprised that you rank III so high as I know lots of people who dismiss that one. It is somewhat of a dark horse.
It is diverse. I find it flows nicely with Presence and 3. You can stream those three albums and have a nice consistent Zep set. The early 2 are bluesier and Out Door is pop key/synth so I trim them from the Presence, Graffit, Zep3 cluster. Then you pack the bong.
I find it very patchy to listen to, no-where near as good as 1-4. But respect to all.
@@beawsbiz No where near as good as 1-4? How so?
@@aviationlba747 I appreciate my view, as anyones is totally subjective, possibly by the fact I grew up with 1-4. However I think most of Plants vocals just don’t sound so intimate on PG. Also approximately 1/3 of PG is quite mediocre. I don’t recognise a single mediocre song on the first 4 albums. However I respect everyone’s opinion.
@@beawsbiz Fair enough. Physical Graffiti is my favourite album of all time, which makes it my favourite LZ album by default. I personally don’t think there is any filler on the album, aside from maybe Black Country Woman and Boogie With Stu, which are still decent in my opinion.
It felt like I was listening to myself talk when I heard your album-by-album review. I'll bet, despite your feeling about "Going to California," you dig the section where Plant sings, "Seems like the wrath of the gods..." Am I right? Nice tee, by the way.
Love your site. Hard to rank Zep. I have never tired of Stairway either. Still think history if Kansas woukd be good!
My fav is their second album
Presence is my fave zep. It's sonic gold.
For Your Life, baby....
Awesome video Pete! In fact it's really hard to rank the Zep's albums, everytime I change the order. By now, that's my list:
9- CODA
8- In Through the Out Door
7- Led Zeppelin I
6- Presence
5- Led Zeppelin II
4- Led Zeppelin III
3- Houses of the Holy
2- Led Zeppelin IV
1- Physical Graffiti
Pete, I always try to guess what you’re #1 is gonna be before the show starts! Lol .. I’m often correct because you and I are pretty much the same with our likes! Just fun to watch! These are great shows!🤟
1. II
2.Physical Graffiti
3. I
V
4. I
5. III
6. House's of The Holy
7. In Through The Out Door
8. Presence
9. Coda
those are mine Pete!
Nice ranking...
I agree hard to be wrong about.
LED-ZEPPELIN 🎸🥁🎹
The fact that Zeppelin's last true studio album and one of their "worst" is maybe...a 7/10?....says something.
My ranking of Led Zeppelin studio albums:
8. Presence (1976)
7. In Through The Out Door (1979)
6. Led Zeppelin III (1970)
5. Houses Of The Holy (1973)
4. Led Zeppelin (1969)
3. Led Zeppelin II (1969)
2. Physical Graffiti (1975)
1. Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Your list is very similar to mine at this current moment in time:
9. Coda
8. Presence
7. In Through The Outdoor
6. LZ I
5. LZ II
4. Houses Of The Holy
3. Physical Graffiti
2. LZ III
1. LZ IV
Should have guessed IV was ur fav when presence was 9
Nice ranking...
Thru the outdoor great groovy rock
It is so difficult to pick a Led Zeppelin "Best Album," Just buy their whole catalog and marvel at the greatness of EACH album. For what it's worth:
1) Zeppelin IV
2) Zeppelin II
3) Houses of the Holy
4) Zeppelin I
5) Physical Graffiti
6) Zeppelin III
7) Presence
8) In Through The Out Door
Keep in mind, however, the top 8 are definitely interchangeable!
I like Led Zeppelin so much that some time ago I decided to stop listening to them for a whole year, I did that experiment because I thought it was time to stop and because I was doubting my sanity. For me there is not a single bad album, I listen to them according to the mood I have at the moment, but I never get tired of listening In my time of dying...................And When the leve breaks.....and Achilles last stand......and......How many more times.......and..... Oh no, here I go again!...😵
almost my list exactly maybe switching the first 2
Zep 3 has also grown in status for me. It’s a grower, as you say when I was younger I didn’t particularly love it but I do now!! Great list
When I listened Achilles Last Stand I immediately fell in love with this band, and that's why Presence will forever take a special place in my heart.
1. Houses of the Holy [despite having the dreaded "The Crunge"]
2. Led Zeppelin
3. Led Zeppelin III
4. Led Zeppelin II
5. Zoso (IV)
6. Presence
7. Physical Graffiti
[Yeah, I know...it's kinda low]
8. In Through the Outdoor
9. Coda
the crunge > the ocean, no quarter, over the hills &far away
The Grunge was a joke from the band. Either you got it or you didn't. With my warped sense of humor, I got it. Now, *where can I find that CONfounded bridge??*
"The Crunge" really does it for me. Then again, I'm a big James Brown fan too, so there we go...
Don't mind the Crunge anywhere near as much as 'D'yer Maker', imo their worst tune along with 'Boogie with Stu', 'Trampled Under Foot', and 'Hats off to Roy Harper'.
harryirene1...how can anyone feel that "Trampled Underfoot" is one of their worst songs?? I get it, it's your opinion.. But wow...
"Presence" is Jimmy Page's and my 2nd favorite LZ album. One of the reasons is because none of the songs are overplayed on radio. Another reason is that I feel "Achilles Last Stand" is the greatest song they ever did. Another reason is that I feel "Tea For One" is not only the most underrated song they ever did, it's the best blues song they ever did. Yes, that's right, even better than "Since I've Been Loving You." Consider Plant's situation at the time he wrote the lyrics. Broken leg. His wife in critical condition at the hospital, his kids hurt like hell.......all from that terrible accident in Greece. And yet he was forced to move from England right after the accident due to the country's ridiculous 90% taxation at the time. The song is the ultimate blues, and I love how Page doesn't overplay on the song. His playing is just somber. Plant has said that "Candy Store Rock" is one of the band's best tunes. The band brought out "For Your Life" for their great Ahmet Ertegun reunion show. "Nobody's Fault But Mine" is a classic. I think famous L.A. DJ Uncle Joe Benson nailed it on the head as to why "Presence" never got its due. Due to Plant's injury, the band had to wait a whole year to tour. This prevented them from really supporting the record. They could only play two songs from it: "Achilles" and "Nobody's Fault But Mine." I am certain that if there had been a proper "Presence:" tour, we would've heard 2 to 3 more tunes from the record in concert. The album was almost forgotten because it was never properly promoted. I just love the record because I am a guitar player, and I just feel the album is Jimmy's masterpiece in terms of building up electric guitars and creating what he called a "guitar army." The overdubs on "Achilles" are masterful and so creative. One thing about ranking the Led Zeppelin albums is that now you have to consider the companion discs when evaluating the records. I mean, "Coda" became a whole lot better with its two bonus discs. Just so everyone knows, every member of Led Zep (and this includes the deceased John Bonham) believes that "Physical Graffiti" is by far and away their best album, and "Kashmir" by far and away their greatest song. Of course Plant is well known for saying that "Stairway," despite its enormous popularity, is a middle of the road Zeppelin track. He feels songs ranging from "Achilles" to "The Wanton Song" to "Black Dog" to "Ramble On" are far superior.
Matt Smith...you took all the words out of my mouth about Presence and I feel the exactly the same about Tea For One. I fell completely in love with that one the first time I heard it back in '82. It's been one of my top 5 Zep songs ever since that day.
@@MJEvermore853 It's a great album isn't it Marilyn? I can only listen to Led Zeppelin IV once per year because it is so overcooked on American radio. It still blows my mind that they recorded "Presence" and mixed it in 18 days despite Plant reinjuring himself and Page's drug problems during the sessions. The Rolling Stones, who entered Musicland Studios in Munich to continue their "Black And Blue" record after LZ completed "Presence" were absolutely floored that they recorded and mixed the thing in 18 days. Believe me, it wasn't a punk rock album! Tons and tons and tons of guitar overdubs.
Super show! Got to this one pretty late but deliberately. I was one of those cats who went through a Lez Zep 'phase' and mine lasted for about...3-1/2 years or so. A long time of exploring one album at a time when In Through was the last one available back then. Your rankings were SPOT ON! Yeah, it's about opinion and all but the method you used and the point that you said it got dicey was right on the money. Their albums always more than just a few strong songs. No reason why you could not just play entire sides versus this song or that one. I never got back into Zep like I was during those 3-1/2 years but what then happened was that I graduated to the level that I still like what I think is their uber best stuff. And yeah, Stairway is STILL overplayed. Maybe not as much now but in the 70s and 80s, I think it was looked at as the arguably greatest rock song of the 1970s. Again, this was an awesome one. Even if I disagreed with you, it'd still be good but, as it turns out, your tastes in music and mine are nearly identical...Metal and Prog!
Great list,too much greatness to assess
My worst to best: With favorite track (or combo tracks)# on the album.
9) Coda (none)
8) Presence (Achillas Last Stand)
7) Led Zeppelin III (Since I've Been Loving You)
6) In Through the Out Door (All My Love)
5) Led Zeppelin II (Heartbreaker / Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman))#
4) Led Zeppelin (Babe I'm Gonna Leave You))
3) Physical Graffiti (House of Holy / Kashmir)#
2) Ruins or Led Zeppelin IV (Battle of Evermore / Stairway to Heaven)#
1) Houses of the Holy (D'Yer Ma'ker / The Crunge)#
*Now, only if I can find that CONfounded bridge.*
kevin the truck driver>> CONfounded bridge, he says. But I do agree that Houses of the Holy is their best album.
@@banishedfromthedwarfplanet530 - back in the day before CD's & good sounding cassette tapes, it's the only Led Zeppelin album that most Zep fans would get up & flip over the LP instead of changing the record for something else.
Besides: *Led Zeppelin was Dread Zeppelin* before there was a *band named Dread Zeppelin* with *D'Yer Ma'ker.* Only thing missing was Elvis singing lead vocals.
Still can't find that *CONfounded bridge.*
Thanks.
kevin the truck driver>> You're welcome. True, Led Zeppelin did a kind of modified reggae song structure with D'yer Ma'ker before it was hip for rock bands to do so. The name is a play on words for Jamaica as you probably know. What many people don't know is that the reason Plant asks where the bridge is at the end of the "The Crunge" is because the song contains no bridge at all. The bridge of a song is where it changes into another chord structure, or has some form of change, like a chorus. Musically, The Crunge stays exactly the same throughout the entire song. No bridge.
"No Quarter" from HOTH is my favorite Zeppelin song of all time. "That's the Way" from the third album is a very close second.
As a side note, I saw Dread Zeppelin a few years back in Los Angeles and they were actually quite entertaining. Tortelvis is a very good vocalist.
I hold out hope that Robert Plant will find that bridge someday before he leaves this earth.
You made me confused with this ;) Zep 4 number 2 houses of the holy number 3 zeppelin 3 number 4 number 5 zeppelin 2 number 6 zeppelin 1 hahaha
I never was into Led Zeppelin so far i discovered Physical Graffiti...and what should i say...man what a great Album it is great Guitar Work from Jimmy..wow
Thanx Pete
where'd you get those shelves? thanks for the great content!
Man Physical Graffiti is loaded, greatest double album ever and its the best thing they ever did, one of the greatest albums of all time
Lz 4, 2 and 1 are the essential classics. 3, physical graffiti and HOH has few great tracks on each.
Presence is mediocre, coda and ITTOT are below average
Pete, your list mirrors mine exactly - nice one. Just as a bit of information, the track D''yer Mak'er is actually pronounced Jamaica, as in the island.
Whoops, sorry, a comment elsewhere explains that pronunciation better than me
When I originally watched these I didn't give my own rankings, so I decided to go back through and do just that. I'm sure I'll get crap for putting "Graffiti" below "...Out Door", but... too bad. I included Coda, because for about ten years I didn't know it was a comp. I was young. Also, all of these are damn good.
9) Coda
8) Presence (I love these bottom two, though!!)
7) Led Zeppelin III
6) Physical Graffiti
5) In Through the Out Door
4) Houses of the Holy
3) Led Zeppelin
2) Led Zeppelin II
1) Led Zeppelin IV (Their version of "When The Levee Breaks" still gives me shivers.)
The top three were really hard. I just went with my gut. Thanks for the video, Pete!
For LZ no bad albums only Coda I put aside , fave for me
1 Presence
2 Physical Graffiti
3 4
4 3
5 HOTH
@Scott Leoski At the time the concept of making a compilation album from studio outtakes was relatively uncharted territory. It is something that benefits from better technology and plenty of time spent finding the right source material that would match to create a consistent statement. This was something that was rushed, under less than ideal circumstances.
Scott Leoski...Bonzo's Montreux is on there, Hey Hey What Can I Do. When Coda was released with a companion disc, that improved it greatly, IMO. The original version didn't have enough songs on it, but at least it had the live version of I Can't Quit You from the Royal Albert Hall 1970, at a time when it was damn near impossible for folks to get their hands on that bootlegged concert.
PRESENCE at the top for me. Hands down.
I doubt you'll get much pushback on placing OUT DOOR and CODA at the bottom, however. All the others are tied for second-best behind PRESENCE. (And I'm a little surprised that BBC SESSIONS, CELEBRATION DAY, SONG REMAINS and HOW THE WEST WAS WON were left out altogether, though i can see your reasoning for doing so.)
As I stated, these shows are just about the studio albums
Most of the live Led Zep sets, boots included, suffer from being the kinds of shows you really needed to be in physical attendance to get the most out of. (Meaning, 30+ minute renditions of DAZED are hard to sit through in your living room. Tenth row center is a whole other story, though.) Unexpected surprise: CELEBRATION DAY is _fantastic._
@@ShempDavidNiven.
I have spoken too people who saw Zeppelin, Free and Deep Purple live from 1970 to 1975.
Zeppelin repeatdly were viewed as the most mediocre live. The thrill of a 14 minute Jimmy Page solo wears off many people who saw them in their hay day told me. I actually prefer listening to my 36 minute bootleg copy of Dazed and Confused at home than at a 20,000 seat venue or worse.
It is no coincidence that How the West was Won covers the year 1972. That was Led Zeppelin's best year. They were still hungry. However, money changes everything.
Zeppelin were wealthy by the beginning of their 1973 tour. Their 3 shows started to become lame, paint by numbers affairs. Dazed and Confused became 45 mins long. The famous listen to the first 5 songs before they become boring as bat shit for the next 2 hours mentality began.
ShempDavidNiven...hey speak for yourselves!
I've collected hundreds of LZ boots, most of which are pretty much untouchable, musically.
I have yet to speak to anyone who's been at a Zep concert and wasnt blown away. I am repeatedly amazed at how great they were live thanks to these bootlegs. "Mediocre" isn't really a term used to describe the majority of them.😂 If I ever pick up a boring LZ boot, I'll let you know, but I've been collecting since '82. They've had shows where they're tired, sick, stoned beyond recognition, but I'm not going to base their entire career on a handful of shows that weren't up to their own standards.
Led zeppelin were an even better band live...that's where the magic happened mostly. Their albums are almost more like shorter samples of their songs. Live is when it got real.
These are your opinions so that's all good. But personally I think you're 🥴🥴🥴
2 blew my mind in 1993 when I was 12 and found my mom’s vinyl copy. 26 years later it is still at the top. No two songs sound the same. The bass is incredible. The drums, vocals, and guitar are obviously awesome but the bass just kills on this album.
Thanks! I grew up hearing LZ on the radio from the beginning (‘69 I think). All their albums have great songs . Houses is my favorite. This is not easy . I like their rockers and I like their folky stuff ! They were all over the map musically! Thanks
1. Physical Graffiti
2. Houses of the Holy
3. IV
4. III
5. II
6. In Through The Out Door
7. Presence
8. I
9. Coda
...and number 10: "Anthem of the peaceful army"
😂😂what about from the fires
Didn't like In Through the Out Door when it came out but have come to love many of the tunes. Fool in the Rain is in my top ten Zep songs