Houses of the Holy review

The fifth studio album by the rock giants Led Zeppelin. While not their most critically acclaimed work, it still contains some of their most famous songs and has been a massive commercial success.

Tracks:

1. The Song Remains the Same: 7/10 since the lyrics are meaningless babble (Although apparently it's meant to say how music is universal), here one must focus on the instrumental. It's an enjoyable rock song overall, although the instrumentals occasionally feel lifted from Stairway to Heaven and it's a bit overlong.

2. The Rain Song: 10/10 metaphors about the four seasons have rarely been this smashingly powerful. A rare ballad from Led Zeppelin, the deviation from their formula paid off. It's one of their most beautiful songs.

3. Over the Hills and Far Away: 9/10 not one of Led Zeppelin's most well-known or explosive songs, but an unexpectedly punchy tune which packs in a lot of interesting meditations about life and some strong, pleasingly understated guitar riffs.

4. The Crunge: 5/10 bold and experimental in certain ways, but thanks to its meaningless ramblings, disjointed instrumental and complete lack of flow, it stands as one of Led Zeppelin's worst songs.

5. Dancing Days: 8/10 this one is just good fun. It doesn't have a lot of substance or innovation. It succeeds purely as a good time, making it one which should not be overlooked.

6. D'yer Mak'er: 8/10 this reggae tune is one of the most divisive Led Zeppelin songs and certainly the one with the most mispronounced title. I, however, really like it and it's a really fun tune, even if it at times feels like the band just made it for a joke.

7. No Quarter: 10/10 simultaneously dark, mysterious and haunting yet so epic it provokes the same feelings of euphoria the band's more upbeat songs do, this gloomy, gothic masterpiece is one of Led Zeppelin's masterpieces.

8. The Ocean: 9/10 this terrifically entertaining song, a tribute to the sea of fans at Led Zeppelin concerts, is good enough to justify a 20 minute standing ovation.

Best song: No Quarter
Worst song: The Crunge

Summary: This isn't Led Zeppelin's most popular album, but I think it's terrific. It's got some great songs (As well as a couple of weaker ones) and doesn't represent the band losing their way at all. It's not as good as Led Zeppelin I, II and IV but it still boasts great writing and mesmerising, earth-shattering instrumentals. Rock doesn't get much better than Led Zeppelin.



Final rating: 9/10