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» Led Zeppelin’s ‘Houses of the Holy’ review

James Wetmore
Contributor

keen

ouses of the Holy was released

March 28, 1973 and quickly became
a worldwide success after the London
based band had also released the instant
smash hit Led Zeppelin IV in 1971. This
album sees the group dip their feet into
more experimental song structures and
instrumentation, with heavier emphasis
placed on keys than in their previous, more
blues-based recordings.

A perfect example of this
experimentation is on “No Quarter,’ a
seven-minute epic which opens with
warbling keyboards played by bassist John
Paul Jones before plummeting into heavy
guitars supplied by Jimmy Page. After a
return to the keys, Robert Plant opens his
vocal—coated in effects and sounding
close to tears. The bridge showcases Jones’
keys under a clean guitar solo. The track
is drenched in effects and filled with odd
sounds off in the distance, adding a strange
ambience to the track that pulls you further
into the mystery that Plant is moaning
about.

The album still offers the hard rock
that the band has been known for, such
as on the tracks “Dancing Days” and “The
Song Remains the Same.” Regardless, they
still let some of their weirder ideas seep

 

 

through the cracks, especially on the latter.
The group weaves through odd timing and
slower sections like butter, while keeping
the energy up—

courtesy of the thunderous drumming
of John Bonham.

Have you ever just wanted that perfect
song for lazing on a Caribbean beach? Have
you ever looked for the track to embody the
feeling of relaxing with your pifa colada,
admiring the sunset on your beer belly and
Hawaiian beach shorts? Well then, I’ve got
the track for you. “D’yer Maker” allegedly
initially started when Bonham was
imitating a reggae beat, which bassist Jones
initially disproved of. But, when Bonham
sped up the beat and the rest of the band
joined in, magic happened.

All in all, this album is full of songs
with their own twists and turns. Yet it
keeps you comfortably straddled along for
the ride with all the recognizable staples of
the band. Evolving from their blues rock
roots, Led Zeppelin reimagined themselves
on this record and stepped into uncharted
territory (which would only become
more explored on their future releases).
This record is deserving of a five out of
five rating. The band stepped out of their
comfort zones and came out the other side
after having journeyed through countless
unnamed lands and lost fables, delivering
unto us a musical Iliad that still sounds as
breathtaking as it had in 1973.

Have you ever just wanted that perfect
song for lazing on a Caribbean beach?

 

: r ya ir
Houses of the Holy' alouma

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