The sprawling, occasionally murky mess that is Physical Graffiti. It helps that the record, outside of 'Kashmir', tends to not be overplayed on the radio.

Zep I, without a doubt. It's everything a person needs to hear from them to get them, except maybe no Tolkien references. It's just dense.

Houses, even though it has “D’yer Maker” (which is bad but which works well enough in the context of the rest of the record) and “The Crunge” (which is just bad).

My favorite Zep records come from their Dungeons & Dragons era—III through PG.

Still a fan of the dirty, pilfered riffs from II, but props to Houses of the Holy.

Zep II

Houses of the Holy is the one I've grown closest to over the years (agree this and P.G aren't as overplayed as the first 4 so it's easier to form an unsullied relationship w/ them), though (IMO) they didn't put a foot wrong on the first 6 and the last 2 are still very strong.

I think HotH means more to me because a lot of the songs have been major volcab expanders on the guitar when I've learned how to play them.

jason from volo wrote: Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:18 am It was then Houses of the Holy for a while. Then someone told me about how the vocals for "The Song Remains the Same" were recorded. I now cannot unhear it and it bothers the shit out of me. As an album opener, it kinda sours the whole album now. I suppose I could just skip that song...

..cuz it's kind of chipmunk-y? (recorded slow then played back faster) I get it but that song doesn't have many vocal verses and is otherwise amazing. That song belongs in the 12-string tread over 'Stairway'.

I'd probably hate a lot of Zeppelin if I paid attention to the vocals. Listening to 'The Wanton Song' now and I'm pretty sure he's just moaning vowels..

Houses of the Holy

Guilty pleasure, though: my favorite Zeppelin song is Carouselambra.

"Physical Graffiti" for me. Despite being a double album, I consider it to be their least self-indulgent record. Thankfully little in the way of songs about elves, hobbits, or stairways to the afterlife. "In My Time of Dying" is probably John Bonham's apex as a drummer too.

"Led Zeppelin III" would be a close second though. I do also like the fourth LP, although I rarely listen to it anymore as it's been so overplayed it sounds predictable to me now.

Physical Graffiti by a long shot for my tastes.

I have a lot of trouble with this band - JPJ and Bonham are soooo good and Page and Plant are just insufferable hams.

Presence but III is a close second. "Achilles' Last Stand" is my shit.