Coming off the back of their first two albums, Led Zeppelin stood astride the globe as rock gods.
They were at that point, arguably, the most successful rock band of the time, known for their searing riffs, pounding drums, and wailing vocals. Their live shows were second to none and everyone wanted that Led Zeppelin groove in their earholes. That dirty, heavy, blues that crawled under your skin and took up house in your soul.
So what did they do to follow up on these two groundbreaking records? They recorded and released Led Zeppelin III, an album so different from the others that it’s almost difficult to believe that it’s the same band.
Led Zeppelin III was a hell of a gamble and one that could’ve easily put the kibosh on the Led Zeppelin juggernaut before it really got rolling. Now, I know that this might be a hard sell, but because of this, because they were willing to think outside of the box, as far as I’m concerned, Led Zeppelin III is the greatest Led Zeppelin album ever.
For starters, there’s not a bad track on the entire record. Go through any other Led Zeppelin record and there are at least one – sometimes even two – tracks that you wouldn’t miss if they weren’t there. They’re the ones you normally skip, or if you don’t, you give them serious consideration.
But Led Zeppelin III doesn’t have a single track out of place. Every song is not only perfect but it’s played to perfection by musicians who were at the top of their game. Page’s guitar work is sublime and Plant has never sounded better. Oh, sure, he’s had better singular vocal performances, such as Kashmir, but he never nailed another entire album in the way he nailed Led Zeppelin III.
Yes, I’ll admit that there’s not enough John Bonham on the record, but when he is there, man, you know it. He is The Hammer of the Gods that drives the Immigrant Song and his almost lazy, yet mind-blowingly powerful rhythm that pins Since I’ve Been Loving You should be held up as a guide for young drummers that sometimes less is more.
Also, Led Zeppelin III is the bravest move that Led Zeppelin could’ve made at that point in time. Think about it, the size of the balls they had to almost turn their back on the sound that had established them, to do what is basically an acoustic album…they must’ve had trouble finding jeans that fit.
There is no way, and I mean no way, that if Led Zeppelin was around in this day and age their fanbase would allow them to change their sound so drastically. The backlash would be so huge that it would break the internet, but 70s fans were more willing to allow their bands to do whatever the hell they felt like, and that’s reflected in Led Zeppelin III.
It’s a record that was made by a group of people who were enjoying what they were doing, without fearing how it would affect their brand.
Yes, other albums by the band will always be held in higher esteem by critics and fans, but for me, Led Zeppelin III caught lightning in a bottle and drank it dry.
