doughelvering - Houses of the Holy: Led Zeppelin - Extended Play Lounge (Episode 13)

I have always liked Robert Plant’s voice. He sings with emotion. Shows what I know :)

Deepwater

2025-06-19 02:42:55 +0000 UTC

When I was a teen everyone was talking about LZ and I had only heard Whole Lotta Love from a couple of years before. So I went out and bought their latest album - this one. I hated it! I told my friend who said "why did you buy THAT one?!" So I took his advice and bought LZ IV. Ah!, then I got it. However, I always avoided HOTH in the future, even the tracks that I later heard on the iive album that came from HOTH, which I would play from the live LP, and not from HOTH. HOTH put me off Robert Plant's voice and vocal mannerisms, which took me a long time to come to terms with, and which I still find irritating from time to time. However, once I heard Since I've Been Loving You, I had to acknowledge what a great vocalist he was. Going on this journey through HOTH helps me with this album, as I can now listen to it from the vantage point of having loved the band for many years. It still has some uncomfortable moments for me, but there is a lot more worth listening to than I remember. One of the great things about the Daily Doug is that I can be persuaded to listen to music I would not have given attention to, and to reconsider music I rejected in the past. It's an enriching experience.

Adie

2024-04-07 23:12:35 +0000 UTC

Dr. Doug, I think it’s possible that your education and rigorous training in music and in choral singing in particular have colored your perception of RP’s vocals. In your disciplines, specific notes must be hit in a certain way at a certain point, but I don’t think he took those classes. =D He just liked to sing, so he did! No one trained him on correct breathing techniques or anything, he just slid around from note to note and made a living at it. Some very good points have also been made here about their frequent touring, lots of partying, his health challenges, and how his vocals suffered. Have you heard any of his recent work with Allison Kraus? ❤️ Robert Plant, Jon Anderson, Geddy Lee - all screechy singers to some extent. Great music/package deal. I love them all, and if I’m honest, sometimes it gets to me, too. Don’t let this keep you from enjoying a truly exuberant record again. Sometimes it takes another listen or two. 😎

Margaret Barnes

2024-02-04 04:33:43 +0000 UTC

The worst thing about a Zeppelin song is usually Plant's vocals. He has some amazing performances, particularly Dazed and Confused.....but Houses of the Holy has some irritating ones, he did permanently lose his voice sometime on tour in 1972/73 so it makes sense. His oohs and ehhhs and urrghhhs can be very obnoxious, especially when I see their live performances. 'Wanton Song' musically is so damn good, but his vocal is so thin and directionless, not good. I love his performance on No Quarter though.

Michael Smart

2022-09-03 16:37:12 +0000 UTC

Hello Doug. I enjoyed your review once again. As far as Robert Plant is concerned, he really made his reputation as a vocalist on the first three or four Led Zeppelin albums with some truly unearthly vocals. After that, I believe he had some throat/vocal chord issues that required him to have surgery which subsequently forced him to alter his vocal style. Also, I personally consider that Led Zeppelin is trying to show a more progressive side to their music on this album. I consider this a great album from a great band. Jimmy Page IMO is the greatest guitarist in rock! His writing skills and playing are like no other! Cheers!

Gerard Dion

2022-06-29 04:31:47 +0000 UTC

I always took Robert Plant with Led Zeppelin; they just came together. And I really like the band. But seeing your aversion to Plant makes me think of my aversion to Mick Jagger. Really Mick is a terrible singer. But I realized he's a troubadour and probably the best front man in Rock and Roll. I take him as part of the whole package of the Rolling Stones.... by the way, have you done anything by the Stones?

Paul Halicki

2022-06-22 03:24:26 +0000 UTC

Robert Plant does so much sing as he tells a story and emotes with musical accompaniment. Maybe that's why he doesn't jive with your picture of what a singer is supposed to be.

Paul Halicki

2022-06-22 00:37:02 +0000 UTC

And all that being said, it's a bummer that this album was your (re)introduction to Led Zeppelin. "The Rain Song" is gorgeous, "The Song Remains The Same" is a masterpiece, but the rest is, well, less brilliant than a lot of their other stuff. I would have recommended Led Zeppelin III or Presence. But then again, I've been listening to Zep devotedly for decades, so what I find interesting now may not be what is interesting to someone coming in fresh.

Adam Miles

2022-04-26 21:03:50 +0000 UTC

Led Zeppelin is unquestionably my favorite band of all time, and has been since I was 13 (and I'm about the same age as Doug, if not a bit older). That said, I totally get that Robert Plant's vocal approach is an acquired taste. I think the characterization of his vocal approach as "lazy" is interesting, and there might be something to it, at least in this era. At the beginning of Zeppelin's career, Robert Plant possessed one of the most preternaturally powerful voices in the history of recorded music. Lots of male rock vocalists have been able to hit high notes, but Plant was able to hit those notes effortlessly and with incredible force. He knew he had that talent, but it was raw and untrained. Combine the arrogance of youth with the hedonistic lifestyle of the times and there was no way that voice was going to last forever. By the time Houses of the Holy was recorded, Zeppelin had been touring the globe pretty much nonstop for four years, and the strain of Plant's unrelenting vocals had begun to show. He began relying perhaps a bit too much on the slippery "wooh"s and "aww"s that you hear a lot on this record. By Physical Graffiti, the power of the voice had pretty much gone (though it was masked by the brilliance of Page's production and the fact that a number of songs on that album were leftovers from earlier album sessions). Concert recordings from '73 and '75 bear this out; live, he was relying on the power of the instrumentation behind him and his own stage presence. Probably the best thing that could happen to him as a performer was the hiatus he had to take in 1976 due to a car wreck that left him pretty much immobilized. It gave his vocal instrument time to repair (though it would never be the same as it was in his youth) and required him to revisit his approach to singing. His vocals on Presence (1976) and the subsequent tour in 1977 are among my favorites, though 1977 turned out to be a very dark year indeed for him, as his five-year-old son died suddenly. In the subsequent years, and especially after Zeppelin ended after the passing of John Bonham (Plant's best friend), Robert Plant turned away from the vocal histrionics altogether and has become, in my estimation, one of the most interesting singers and musical artists we have.

Adam Miles

2022-04-26 20:56:10 +0000 UTC

Just in case this hasn't been made apparent yet, the old joke is: - My wife's gone to the Caribbean. - Jamaica? (d'yer make 'er?) - No, she went of her own accord. Which is why the lyric is saying "you don't have to go" etc.

Johnny Coolin

2022-04-22 17:08:48 +0000 UTC

Really foreign to get these sorts of reactions to Robert, he's considered to be in the top 3 Rock vocalists of all time (#1 to many) and beats Freddy out (I hate Freddy). I'm a fan but I have seen them live and there isn't anything more captivating and raw then seeing Robert and the rest on stage! It's what we wanted after the softer sounds of the Beatles, LZ was the band that pushed them out of the top spot on the charts. BTW, the Beatles have been my favorite band since age 10 when they first appeared on Ed Sullivan, but these guys were more than right to hit the scene when they did!

Betsey

2022-04-16 03:34:58 +0000 UTC

Doing a "dance song" that's mostly in a (weird) 9/8 is a perverse touch!

Jeff Norman

2022-03-23 05:33:43 +0000 UTC

HOTH was the first LZ album I heard when I was about 14, I really couldn't get on with RP's voice. I tried again with LZ II and followed that with PG. Eventually I got into LZ and I suppose got used to RP's vocal delivery. HOTH was the last album I bought by them whilst waiting for their last studio album ITTOD. The Rain Song and No Quarter are absolute classics though. Thanks Doug for your analysis. Much appreciated.

Andrew Mellor

2022-03-17 11:00:26 +0000 UTC

Back when I was in high school, there was a few different groups of people. Some thought Zeppelin was the best, some thought Sabbath was the best. Personally, i was into both. My best friend and I used to listen to a LOT of LZ, especially this album. Sadly, he passed away in 2007 at the young age of 37, so this album will always be very special to me. Thanks, Doug.

Bryan Sheehan

2022-03-05 16:07:35 +0000 UTC

From my perspective, Plant's voice (along with Geddy Lee and Jon Anderson) got better with age. They may have lost a few of the highest notes in their register, but their voices gained more depth and growl ... easier on the ears.

Rick Morse

2022-03-04 11:42:14 +0000 UTC

Enjoyed the video! No Quarter really stuck out to me, I hadn't heard it before either and I've found it highly intriguing. On a technical note, when you turned up the volume on The Ocean I found it a little difficult to hear your commentary behind it. Minor complaint, I still greatly appreciate all of the time and effort you put into making content for us!

Robert Anderson

2022-02-25 15:32:30 +0000 UTC

Just got round to seeing this now. I've been a long time fan of Zeppelin and personally love Percy Plant overall. However, I think I do get and almost agree with your assessment of him. The bits I love of his singing the most are those elements when he isn't "squeezing his lemon" ( really straining the higher registers ). When he gives his voice a little restraint - The Rain song and No Quarter are excellent examples - there is an additional warmth to his voice and it loses the shrill rough edges. Interestingly, his voice and delivery have very much improved with age. Some of the stuff he's delivered in the last 10 years or so is the best he's ever sung. All of this not withstanding, your view that JPJ is the unsung hero is spot on. He is a musical genius as an arranger and probably one of the top 10 bass players ever, In addition, Bonham - well, no more needs be said. Just the best 👌 Oh and Jimmy isn't bad either 😏 EDIT - one final thing, no idea why this album first either, would be four sticks or PG every day of the week for me, though Presence also stands up, just on the basis of Achilles last stand

Mike Hill

2022-02-24 00:32:16 +0000 UTC

D'yer Maker: This is what happens when white guys try to play reggae. The title is supposed to mean "did'ja make her?", meaning "did you get lucky?". I just realized I'm spamming the board on my first day here. I apologize for that, but you had all these questions and these guys were my jam and I was a wanna-be cool stoner and knew all this stuff. I would've voted for this album had I known. I think it's their most interesting album from a composer's POV (other than Presence, and that was kind of inaccessible to outsiders). I'd suggest Presence next, although most of your fans may feel differently. Lots of "densely layered guitar textures" and buried vocals. Physical Grafitti is 2/3 brilliant and 1/3 filler, but I disagree with most people on which is which.

Just Some Guy

2022-02-20 06:41:57 +0000 UTC

According to an interview I read, the band said that The Crunge was supposed to be their take on a James Brown thing, but it didn't work at all. Yeah, Page stole a lot of licks, but everybody playing funk in the 1970s stole from James Brown. He gets a pass on this one. If you think about it, this was way ahead of its time for white people in America in 1973. Yet again, the Brits take our music and give us back something different. This time it didn't work too well, but I'd be surprised if this hasn't been sampled someplace.

Just Some Guy

2022-02-20 06:23:44 +0000 UTC

You really need to hear them playing live to see Plant working out on the vocals. I think I get it about his singing; I think (I'm not good at that sort of thing). I always thought the vocals were just mixed too far in the background. If you watch them live, you'll understand how he got the reputation for being sexy. He could make a straight guy question himself.

Just Some Guy

2022-02-20 06:03:16 +0000 UTC

Having grown up in the 70s, I can say that your understanding was 100% correct. Zeppelin was the band. There were others, but they were the one the cool stoners listened to. They had the dangerous sexiness of the Stones and the mystique like nobody since the Who, but with less on-stage destruction and even more legendary partying and hotel destruction.

Just Some Guy

2022-02-20 05:56:12 +0000 UTC

I totally agree. As a teen the high pitched singing drove me off. Imagine they would have had Ronny James Dio or Peter Hammill as a singer. Both leave their heart on the stage when singing. Strangely enough, "Dy'er Maker"s fantastic drumming and rhythm attacks finally got ME over to their music :) --- and now it's time for something completely different: Van Der Graaf Generator's "Still Live" or "Godbluff" or "World Record" as an Extended Play (whole album, yeah!)

Anderson Davies

2022-02-18 10:00:46 +0000 UTC

Is incredible! I've always felt the same way about Robert Plat. I share your opinions! Many people think that he is the best Rock singer in history, for me he is far from being among the best of a single decade (70's). Hugs from Chile 🤘🏼😉

Cristián Gálvez

2022-02-17 05:54:33 +0000 UTC

vocalization, not focalization

Douglas Graham

2022-02-11 19:20:47 +0000 UTC

Without Plant’s unique approach to focalization would make Led Zeppelin something that it isn’t. One thing I love about the music of the 70’s is that it searches for something other than the conventional norms of quality music to express something not expressed in the same way before. I’m not attracted to Plant’s vocals, but I have learned to appreciate them for their consistent uniqueness. What do you think of Rush’s vocals?

Douglas Graham

2022-02-11 19:18:55 +0000 UTC

On the end of the song —- “and Far Away”; I wonder if the way that it ends is an attempt to catch the feeling of being far away?

Douglas Graham

2022-02-11 19:08:10 +0000 UTC

47:35 Tool covered "No Quarter" and released it on Salival in 2000. It's a great listen. No lazy vocal technique and a punctuated ending.

Bryan

2022-02-10 01:49:07 +0000 UTC

I love "No Quarter", its a musical dream. Plant's vocals are hurt by his registry forcing him to sing from his throat instead of his diaphragm ... a no no to the trained, makes him unique.

Stop Propaganda

2022-02-07 15:57:48 +0000 UTC

Agreed, especially about the live version of No Quarter. Speaking of which... Why not try out Phish's No Quarter? Just an epic live experience, goosebumps every time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCf7YDs-1QE

Jacob Tell

2022-02-07 08:21:25 +0000 UTC

Also, there's a great acoustic cover of "Dancing Days" by Stone Temple Pilots.

Allen

2022-02-07 05:18:32 +0000 UTC

There's some more great acoustic work on Led Zeppellin III and Physical Graffiti. Plant said in an interview the stereotype of them as a "hard rock" band was inflated (he said "half our work is acoustic.").

Allen

2022-02-07 05:18:03 +0000 UTC

Physical Graffiti a disappointment? Are you insane? It's easily their best album. It ha four of their top ten songs on it IMO. Ten Years Gone, In the Light, Kashmir, and In My Time of Dying are amazing

John B

2022-02-06 22:00:14 +0000 UTC

Lazy vocals or not, Plant is a Bard to be recognized. I can hear what you mean, though.

JT Siren

2022-02-05 17:48:00 +0000 UTC

I was just going to write the same about the Hohner Electra-Piano. Certainly a very distinctive sound. A friend had one back in the 70s and you could do all sorts with it.

Chris Ramsbottom

2022-02-04 19:22:56 +0000 UTC

Not Zep's strongest release. This was when their albums became a bit uneven for me. Some of these tracks have to rank among their classics, while others are jokes gone wrong.

Murdock Moriarty

2022-02-04 13:58:59 +0000 UTC

Having grown up with Led Zeppelin and others, we the fans/listener do not view the music as Doug does when he reacts to the music in front of him. Doug's outlook for his reactions is from a professional, educational stance and he hears the music as he 'sees' it which is as it should be and give his honest opinion. Robert Plant will always be the voice of Led Zeppelin.

Michael Brown

2022-02-04 10:41:06 +0000 UTC

Have a listen to "How Many More Times" from the first album and you'll see what I mean Doug. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRkA7ZFoIgQ

Jim Reeves

2022-02-03 23:27:17 +0000 UTC

Funny how this album was panned by fans when it was released. For me it was Plant's voicing that was disappointing. He allowed his voice to become a squeal rather than the full-throated roar of the first 2 albums. I wondered at the time if he'd blown out his vocal chords. I recall reading an earlier review that several screens were needed between his voice and the microphone. Interesting sounds though. Nice to hear this again.

Jim Reeves

2022-02-03 22:29:33 +0000 UTC

I would be interested in a comparison of this vocal performance with the first album, my personal favorite, which was a more bluesy album

Steve Ben-Shalom

2022-02-03 17:56:00 +0000 UTC

Loved the reaction. Specially the part “I hate D’yer Mak’er”. I hate that song too. Worst Led Zep song ever. If you want Ze experience, Led I, II or IV are the way to go. Led has never been a progressive rock band. It is a Classic Rock Monster. This is its strength. Leave it as it is. Don’t push Phisical Graffiti, it will be another disappointment. Go for what Led is know for: heavy blues rock at its best. Go for Since I’ve Been Loving You, Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, When The Leave Breaks, How Many More Times, What is and What Should Never Be, and maybe Tagerine. It is what it is.

Marcelo Rosalen Cucatti

2022-02-03 14:01:34 +0000 UTC

One of Led-Zep's weakest albums, but I find all of their albums patchy. Having said that, each album does have at least a couple classic tracks. To experience the real or best version of Led-Zep, you need to listen to the live stuff. the live version of No Quarter on The Song Remains The Same is sublime.

gary fisher

2022-02-03 08:49:15 +0000 UTC

Sweet. I can still hit all the lowest notes with my voice. :)

Daniel E. Whitaker

2022-02-03 06:56:12 +0000 UTC

I've always thought Robert Plant was trying to sound like Steve Marriotte of Small Faces, but could never quite get there. I've been drawn to Led Zeppelin for the sounds they brought and the willingness to experiment. Still love this album. Just not exactly for the vocals, so no, you're not being too harsh.

Daniel E. Whitaker

2022-02-03 06:22:35 +0000 UTC

For those who criticize the album, y'all do realize 3 songs became must plays in their live concerts. 'The Sing Remains the Same', D'yer Mak'er, & 'The Crunge.'Notnto forget the quintessential LZ riff in The Ocean. Imaging that......three songs had to be played because they became staples of their musical portfolio. That doesn't sound like an album that sucks. Maybe some didn't like the direction they went and that is fair. Certainly, I didn't care for 'In through the Out Door' and please what in the name of classic albums did 'Presence' ever provide that was memorable other that the fact that it was the lowest selling studio album while the band was still active. This album was probably more famous for figuring out what the black oblelisk shaped object, known as 'The Object' was as it resided on the front cover and was more famous than any music inside of it. I am not surprised at all the 'Houses of the Holy' was chosen. It would seem more people get it than those few who have voiced their surprise and criticism. Now if y'all will excuse me...."Take me to the Bridge.....owwwww......"

Paul Mouradjian

2022-02-03 02:03:20 +0000 UTC

Led Zeppelin is essentially a Blues band at least their roots. . Doug are you familiar with Muddy Waters specifically or other Chicago or Delta blues singers? Blues is the art of singing behind the beat. ....at times pushing the beat......but very rarely on the beat. They accentuated the private het travel & could have been considered the poster child for Sex,Drugs & Rockn Roll Could this be possible reasons for your considering Plant a Lazy Singer? Led Zeppelin pretty much ruled Rock n Roll till 1975-76.

Paul Mouradjian

2022-02-02 22:45:33 +0000 UTC

Bonham is generally thought of as the best rock drummer ever. There’s a lot of subtlety in his playing. I remember hearing JP Jones say that when people label Bonham as merely a basher, they’ve gotten it all wrong. His favorite music was the funky R&B stuff, with a great love of James Brown. As far as Plant goes, he’s a definite archetype. The voice that launched a thousand imitators…

Martin Broten

2022-02-02 21:09:08 +0000 UTC

For me this album is weak like number II, 2 fantastic songs and 6 eight mediocre ones does not a complete album make in my view. You also happened to have listened to the weakest vocal performance album, not a patch on the power of number I. Unfortunate, can’t tick the like box for this, could be a US audience who are used to power pop bands like Boston etc. This album also lacks any blues feel.

Itsfun2listen

2022-02-02 19:35:46 +0000 UTC

After watching your video and "re-listening" to this record vicariously through you, I feel like I have a better understanding of it. I have listened to it 1000 times and never got the concept. I think this actually might be a loose concept album. Thinking about what Plant said of the Song Remains the Same, I realized that this album is a collection of love songs (romantic, platonic, familial) that are all influenced by different types of music from around the world (Welsh, Celtic, Middle Eastern, Reggae, Funk/Soul). And yet despite these differing influences, ultimately the songs remain the same at heart.

Greg Goddu

2022-02-02 18:53:03 +0000 UTC

I was also surprised that this won the poll as I am with those who found the earlier albums stronger and more suited to Plant bluesy style of vocals (partic The Lemon Song and Killing Floor). nonetheless Rain Song is an absolute diamond and worthy of this session on its own. I would also add to the positive comments about John Paul Jones, ridiculously underrated and multi-talented. Finally to add to the 'No Quarter' discussion, my take is that it refers to giving no ground at all and pushing through whatever the barrier.

Nick Pordham

2022-02-02 18:01:40 +0000 UTC

I'm kind of surprised how many people dislike this album. "Rain Song", "No Quarter" and "The Ocean" aren't good enough?? Lol. To me they're all good from the first to Physical Graffiti. They did start losing me after that but even then, there are some classic songs on those later albums. Oh well, different strokes for different folks.

Mark Saxon

2022-02-02 17:52:26 +0000 UTC

I updated the video link, fixing the mismatching song labels for the first two tunes.

R. Douglas Helvering

2022-02-02 17:41:49 +0000 UTC

Interesting to watch the reaction. Except for a few exciting rhythmic moments, like the first track, I find this whole album quite blah. My favorite LZ is still their first, followed by the second one. I think it was all downhill after that, never mind their commercial success.

Paul Neuman

2022-02-02 16:42:58 +0000 UTC

I agree with Doug. Plant's vocals were always a bit of a turn off for me. As a result they remain a so-so band for me. I much prefer the Led Zeppelin III album, which is slightly folkier than their other albums and also Led Zeppelin IV of course. I haven't listen to this album for around 40 years. Think I might leave it for another 40 years before listening again. I found it quite dull, despite their efforts to make the rhythms interesting.

David Crossen

2022-02-02 14:53:27 +0000 UTC

Great video. Not my favourite Led Zep album but an enjoyable watch.

Owen Edmonds

2022-02-02 13:52:17 +0000 UTC

Strange that this album won the poll. This is the worst Zeppelin album. Zepp II and III are iconic. They were really trucking back then. When it comes to this album and to some extent the 4th, they seem to have lost what made them massive. Like the energy has just been drawn out. Mostly, I think, because of the way Plant sang on the earlier albums. He paid the toll with his voice. And listening to Zepp II and III it is understandable that a voice like that can't last. The band is doing nothing wrong. But Plant is just a shadow of his self here and seems like he won't (or can't) go all-in. And the entire band/sound suffer because of it.

André Simonsen

2022-02-02 12:25:55 +0000 UTC

"Now I'm singing all my songs to the girl who won my heart; she is only three years old and it's a real fine way to start". That line makes me smile every time I hear it and, now my daughters are in their 30's, a little melancholic as I remember being the dad of two beautiful little girls who had me wrapped around their fingers and I am unashamed to admit it. As for RP's voice, I get your point and agree somewhat, but it never turned me off the band and, to give him his due, he has certainly sustained one helluva career for decades so there must be something intangible that finds a massive audience of quite devoted fans.

Mark Marriott

2022-02-02 11:46:17 +0000 UTC

Not Zep's best album but there's some some great playing and the Rain Song is worth the price of the album alone. Appreciate your opinion on Plant but I personally can't imagine any better frontman for this outfit. Love your content Doug. Please do Songs From the Wood Jethro Tull!

S M

2022-02-02 11:29:06 +0000 UTC

Your honesty is great. It's not often people will dislike something popular and it not be just because it popular.

Dominick Pearce

2022-02-02 10:08:25 +0000 UTC

I voted for this, but it hasn't cured my indifference to LZ. I'll try again, without commentary, and give LZ III a spin, a gift from my son, but I think it's a lost cause.

FallingLeaf

2022-02-02 08:56:08 +0000 UTC

Wikipedia mentions that Plant's lead vocal in "The Song Remains The Same" was sped up slightly in the final mix. In that first song, I hear a bit of the Chipmunk or helium effect caused by the sped up recording. I am surprised Doug didn't mention this.

BRIAN MILLER

2022-02-02 07:40:40 +0000 UTC

You should review Tool's version of No Quarter. It is amazing!

Jean-Michel LaFontaine

2022-02-02 05:39:11 +0000 UTC

Vudu.com

Randy Hammill

2022-02-02 04:11:13 +0000 UTC

Thanks Randy Hammill for mentioning Steven Wilson. Doug, please do an extended play of Porcupine Tree's "In Absentia" or "Deadwing" or "Signify"

grnmntl

2022-02-02 03:55:26 +0000 UTC

One more thing - you mentioned how the use of the stereo field is more dramatic than the current trends. Steven Wilson commented on this in the Tull Benefit remaster (if I recall correctly). In addition to bands just experimenting, when mastering an album they are tailoring it to what they think the common listening environment is. At the time, people tended to have consoles or speakers more closely spaced together. So they tended to mix more to the extremes to widen the sound field with that environment. Nowadays headphones or the car are probably the predominant listening environment, so they mix with less separation to make it sound more cohesive.

Randy Hammill

2022-02-02 03:45:51 +0000 UTC

I understand your reluctance to get behind Plant's vocals. As a teenager in the 70's I loved it- the passion and abandon. But after having heard many other superior vocalists, it has taken the shine off my memory a little bit. I was concerned when you started to do Rush reviews because back in the day the vocals were the chief complaint against that band, while I loved the early Geddy sound. Good review and fair.

grnmntl

2022-02-02 03:41:14 +0000 UTC

Except D'yer Mak'er that song is bad

Max Eliaser

2022-02-02 02:38:41 +0000 UTC

Spot on call out of No Quarter being an apt song for Tool. They did a fantastic cover of it on Salival.

Mark Yerrington

2022-02-02 02:35:29 +0000 UTC

This album won because of No Quarter and the Rain Song (in my opinion). I don't hate Plant's voice but from this album on, his vocals were not recorded (or sung) very well. I would agree - he doesn't have that power in his vocals, and they seem to have some effect that makes them seem far away. He's always been the member of Led Zep that I pay attention to the least.

MikeCarr

2022-02-02 02:26:39 +0000 UTC

Plant has a lot of expression, versatility, and, when warranted, power in his voice, but what he doesn't have is perfect pitch accuracy. This is one of the places where Zeppelin's obvious blues influence comes in, it's a type of music that calls for a looser approach. Maybe he could hit a note dead on if he wanted to, maybe he couldn't, either way I think he sounds great on Zeppelin's songs. Appreciate your thoughts though, having a great time watching through the video.

Max Eliaser

2022-02-02 02:16:30 +0000 UTC

Did you forget to hit your pipe? I'm 7 songs in and I may have missed it. :)

MikeCarr

2022-02-02 02:09:04 +0000 UTC

Definitely a "tribute" like so many of their older songs! Though this one is very much not directly "borrowed" nearly as much as the early blues tracks were :-)

Richard Rathbun

2022-02-01 23:54:45 +0000 UTC

I have long thought Robert Plant is the "weak link" in Zeppelin - his vocals just don't have the power to match the trio of Bonham, JPJ and Page. I think it comes from his blues background - but it just struggles to stand out and is often dominated. The mix doesn't help this though.

Dan Vitale

2022-02-01 23:31:53 +0000 UTC

I must say though, that I absolutely loved the guitar sounds on almost all of it -- the triple overdubs on Song Remains the Same, the sounds on Rain Song, the mix of electric and acoustic on Over The Hills & Far Away, and the rock n roll of The Ocean. That was the easiest one for us amateur guitarists to play, too! But these vocals are why I voted for Led Zep III in the poll.

Richard Rathbun

2022-02-01 23:26:30 +0000 UTC

Interesting to have chosen - albeit blindly - Houses of the Holy for your first focused Led Zeppelin experience in so many years. It's true that the vocals on this one are sonically thin, maybe a bit loose where he improvises, and at times a bit (I don't want to say screechy but they don't have the fullness and growl that the first three records do. Which is unfortunate for a guy whose problem with Zep was mainly Robert Plant's vocals! I thought the same thing when I first listened to this album at like 16 or 17 years old.

Richard Rathbun

2022-02-01 23:24:07 +0000 UTC

Comment on the double bass sound in the second track: There is a famous story. When the guys at Streetly Electronics were doing the sessions to create the cello sound for the Mellotron, the cello player didn't want to downtune his instrument for fear of damaging it. So they had a double bass do the bottom notes. The sound changes dramatically when you get to those notes. The ending of "Over the Hills and Far Away" was certainly not a Mellotron. It sounded like just a harpsichord to me. You will know the Mellotron by its low-fi tape sound, because a Mellotron is basically a collection of lo-fi tape players. The thing about the name "D'yer Mak'er" is that in some places in British English, the letter R is more of a suggestion than a demand. Sometimes all the R really does is shape the vowel that came before it, without producing that recognizable "rrrrrr" sound. So "yer" would be the equivalent of our "ya". And sometimes R's go in the opposite direction. Sometimes an R sound creeps in where there is no R. So depending on your accent, you might say "Jamaiker" instead of "Jamaica". The title of the song comes from a corny old joke, where they take advantage of the fact that "Jamaiker" sounds like " 'd'ya make 'er?" ("Did you make her?") Thusly: "My wife is going on holiday." "Jamaiker?" "No, she's going of her own accord. But seriously...." The more I listen, the more I'm with you on Robert Plant's vocals. And I hate the way he sings on "D'yer Mak'er". He sounds so obnoxious, like he's taunting us. And I hear what you mean about the vocal processing. I think there's a chorus effect on it. Like a delay, but super fast so that it thickens up the sound rather than creating an echo. "No Quarter": definitely not a Mellotron. As for the specific instrument, I think I know what it is. I think it is this somewhat obscure electric piano that I know the band had, which is the Hohner Electra-Piano. (NOT to be confused with the RMI Electra-Piano, which was a keyboard synth, heard on The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Fragile, Free Hand, and various other records.) The Hohner Electra-Piano was kind of a cross between a Fender Rhodes and a Wurlitzer. It had reeds like the Wurlitzer, but included resonant tonebars like the Rhodes. And so the sound is somewhere between the two instruments. Yeah, the more I listen, the more I think that's what it is. And I know exactly what you mean about stereo sound design. A lot of producers nowadays have decided that the record that uses stereo best, uses stereo least. Most of the instruments are panned pretty close to center, and then the reverb or other effects create some stereo ambience. The way they used stereo in the '70s was a whole lot better. "Quarter" in the first place refers to a place where something or someone can stay. So if you give no quarter to your enemies, that could certainly mean that you will give them no place to stay, which you would do if you were taking them prisoner, but will instead kill them. When you turned up your volume on the last track, it stayed up, and it made it harder to hear your comments. I could still make them out, but they were on the edge. And it made the song not match the others. And that thing about how Led Zeppelin would be a pretty good band if they had a decent lead singer: guess who apparently said that Led Zeppelin would be a good band with him singing! Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull! He only half-remembers saying it. But he thinks it may be the reason he never got along very well with Robert Plant. It's ok to call out Robert Plant. You gotta call 'em like you see 'em.

Ray Sincere

2022-02-01 22:43:22 +0000 UTC

100% agree that the Extended Play Lounge is better used for more cohesive albums. On the other hand, the power for the decision is a gift from Doug to us, and having that power also means that we're the ones collectively responsible for it and not Doug.

Eusebio R-Z

2022-02-01 22:02:00 +0000 UTC

Sorry, meant that to be my last comment, but have just finished your closing remarks! I'm from just down the road from where Robert Plant grew up. My Grandma used to work at Walsall Gala swimming baths and remembers him coming in for a swim, wearing a huge wide kipper tie and talking about this new band he was getting together... anyway, my Auntie and Uncle used to play in the folk clubs with him, and said he had a fantastic voice when he was singing folk music. English folk music, this is. They said his style went down hill once he started all the Zep stuff. Apparently he and my Auntie used to date, and partly for that reason, my Uncle really hated him... Now, I'm glad you singled out John Paul Jones for holding the whole thing together. Absolutely the unsung hero! Phenomenally talented musician over a wide range of instruments. Love the mellotron! Thank you once again!

Patholas

2022-02-01 21:01:00 +0000 UTC

Doug, I think for your enjoyment not as a reaction watch the film the Song Remains the Same they were majestic live

Michael Brown

2022-02-01 20:47:41 +0000 UTC

I agree with Ryan, though. Please do a listen-through of Zeppelin IV... interesting mix of rock / groove and acoustic... and my entry point from which I was hooked. Then do Physical Graffiti... I'd love to hear what you think of Kashmir... or just do Kashmir on the main You Tube channel... epic! :-)

Patholas

2022-02-01 20:43:46 +0000 UTC

You seem to have picked up on my favourite tracks from this album, too. Love the textures in the Rain Song and No Quarter, and The Ocean is a great riff... I run a guitar club at school, and a couple of years back we had a superb drummer (he used to choose things like Carry On Wayward Son to play...) and finally got to play The Ocean at a school concert... Then the following year roped in some brass and did Kashmir, but that's another story!

Patholas

2022-02-01 20:41:13 +0000 UTC

I think you've hit the nail on the head once again, Doug! When I first encountered Zep (a girlfriend back in '92 leant me Zeppelin IV and I was instantly hooked!) I absolutely loved the rhythm section and wasn't fussed about the vocals! I learned my bass licks following John Paul Jones (as well as John Deacon of Queen!) and still have epic Zeppelin listen-throughs, but only really notice the vocals as instrumental flavour...

Patholas

2022-02-01 20:38:37 +0000 UTC

My guess for why this won out is Song Remains The Same, Rain Song, and No Quarter, which are all beloved epics. Rain Song is one of their very best compositions. IV being a close second is not surprising. If Stairway hadn't already been done to death, IV probably would have won. I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on Battle Of Evermore and When The Levee Breaks. I also think you'd prefer Plant's voice from '71 a lot more than his voice from '73, as well as how it was recorded. I is very heavy on covers and more simple blues stuff, so less interesting to analyze maybe. But there's still a ton there: Dazed, How Many More Times. III would be really interesting because of the diversity and the middle eastern stuff, but it's a little lesser known. I think it would be a great one to do a deep dive on.

Ryan Quick

2022-02-01 20:17:35 +0000 UTC

Indeed when I talk about my rankings of bands, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin are both implied to be the basis of that ranking. This album is an acquired taste in terms of vocals, you should just get more context from their other albums and songs. This album does have a different vocal production I think. It was chosen I think because it's people's favorite album, not exactly as an intro album in particular.

Jason Stockwell

2022-02-01 20:08:49 +0000 UTC

Bummer that you just couldn't get past Plant. You're not the first, and you're in good company (Keith Richards, Pete Townshend)! The vocals on HOTH are uncharacteristically thin. But even so, Plant and LZ as a whole might just not be for you. But thank you so much for listening to and providing your thoughts on this album! I really look forward to these extended listening vids!

Ryan Quick

2022-02-01 20:05:53 +0000 UTC

I agree with the vocals on this album. I far prefer Plant on the first 4 albums

Gage Balck

2022-02-01 20:01:23 +0000 UTC

No Quarter is a legitimately scary and unsettling song. There just isn't any other song like it. It feels like a nightmare in a dark blizzard, and I mean it really FEELS like it. It takes you there. And live - oh, man is a good live No Quarter special. The one on The Song Remains The Same movie is a wonderful example and easily accessible. Other fantastic ones are 7/21/73 (only available on an audience recording) and 5/24/75 (which also has pro video).

Ryan Quick

2022-02-01 19:54:44 +0000 UTC

Oh man! As mentioned before, Tool covered No Quarter. You should TOTALLY react/analyze their version. It's Epic, and VERY TOOL!

Jason Osborn

2022-02-01 19:51:25 +0000 UTC

D'Yer Mak'er is based on an old british joke, something like: “I’ve just taken my wife on holiday to the Caribbean.” “Jamaica?” “No, she was happy to come.” (Didya make her?)

Ryan Quick

2022-02-01 19:46:27 +0000 UTC

Interesting how you pointed out the Middle Eastern feel in Dancing Days! I'd never considered that before. Page and Plant fell in love with moroccan music when they traveled there, and there's a lot of that influence on Zep III and of course Kashmir.

Ryan Quick

2022-02-01 19:45:41 +0000 UTC

Their most diverse album and probably why people voted for it but for most folk not their very best although not a bad album, they never made a bad one. Led Zeppelin IV & Physical Graffiti are rock masterworks!

Scott Blackie

2022-02-01 19:43:42 +0000 UTC

Spoiler alerts. My thoughts on your commentary. Tend to agree somewhat about Plant, although I am not taken as aback as you are; however, it took me over 5 years to adjust to Geddy Lee's voice, so anything is possible. I definitely agree that Plant's vocals are weak at times, lacking air as you described. I suspect he has never really breathed from his diaphragm. I also get bugged that most of his "emotive" vocalization consists of going about a quarter-step flat. :-) As to why "Houses of the Holy" won, it is pretty simple. 2 and 4 (Zoso, untitled, or whatever you want to call it) are both terrific, but way overplayed - I suspect none of your patrons need to hear it again. The debut is a good blues album, but somewhat raw (and plagiaristic as well). LZIII (which I voted for, mostly because I don't have it and need to get it) might be their least well-known album, and is very different from their other work (except for "The Immigrant Song" ad is probably their least popular album. So "Houses" wins almost by default. "Physical Graffiti" is pretty much considered their masterpiece, hence would have been an easy winner had it been included in the poll.

Russell L. Craft

2022-02-01 19:32:11 +0000 UTC

I really appreciate your works but It would be better to analyze the concept albums (generally story-based) in Extended Play Lounge imo

Müseyib Ələkbər

2022-02-01 19:30:10 +0000 UTC

Robert blew out his voice in '71-'72 and actually had surgery to try to fix it. He was extremely hoarse and cracky a lot of the time, due to his pushing it too much and for too long. They toured incessantly, he pushed it to 11 every night from beginning to end, and wasn't educated on how to take care of himself. If you listen to him in '69 and '70 it is stunning what power and range he had. And he could maintain power from his chest WAY higher than anyone else I've ever heard in rock. There's a show from '69 (8/18) where he hits mezzo soprano range for a second, but his voice does crack. It's a hoot. Check this out, for example. How many octaves does he span here? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J54NapjjbZY Sure he's out of tune in a few spots, but they were just playing this off the cuff. This album, Houses Of The Holy, was recorded in 1972. He was injured and in the process of having to reinvent how to use his voice, which was now an entirely different and much more limited instrument. In mid-'72, he was still singing Over The Hills And Far Away I've met lots of people who just plain don't like Robert's voice and can't get past it, and that's totally valid. There are singers other people love that I can't stand. Keith Richards has said the same about Plant. In my book, however, he's the best rock vocalist of all time. Between 1968 and 1972 he was absolutely untouchable. Could blow anyone off the stage and through the back wall of the arena. He's a big part of why Led Zeppelin was the absolute behemoth they were live. Power for days, but still with subtlety and brains. Led Zeppelin I and II is a much better representation of what Robert was capable of. And the improvs! Listen to a live Whole Lotta Love from mid '70 through '73 - they'd play a different ad-libbed medley every night, with Plant leading the way, throwing out all the 50s pop tunes and American blues he loved and learned to sing on. They were a really amazing cohesive unit. There's a reason they set the record TWICE for largest audience for a single act. Post '73, it's hit and miss, due mostly to Page's alcohol and heroin abuse, and Plant's damaged voice. Still some legendary amazing moments though. I do agree there's an odd effect on Plant's voice that is unique to this album, and I'm not all that fond of it either. It sounds strangely synthetic, or something.

Ryan Quick

2022-02-01 19:16:06 +0000 UTC

I'm slightly trepidatious entering into this because Led Zeppelin is my #1 favorite band. I've been obsessed with them ever since I first discovered them when I was 13 in 1990. I have many other bands and artists that I adore and that mean a lot to me, but I am married to Led Zeppelin. I've collected live shows for 30 years now and I've listened to every one available at least once. I've read every book. I used to xerox articles about them from the library when I was a kid. I have no tattoos, but if I did, it would be the 4 symbols. I'm way past being able to evaluate their music objectively or with fresh ears, so this should be a lot of fun, but still I'm a bit nervous.

Ryan Quick

2022-02-01 18:57:15 +0000 UTC

The Crunge is a dance you can't dance to. The band wanted to cheekily put dance steps for it with the album but couldn't do it logistically. At the end Plant asks "Where's the bridge?" He's referring to the James Brown song they took the guitar riff from where Brown asks his band to "Take it to the bridge."

John Gamesby

2022-02-01 18:31:46 +0000 UTC

Great analysis. I think Robert was better live, although probably never technically so compared to others. It was really the frontman/singer part that he did so well. This album in particular has some weird sounding vocals that makes his voice sound thin and cartoonish to me in many places. In terms of why this first? The first two albums are very much in the vein of heavy blues (Cream, etc) and relatively simple in their construction musically. III is where they started to branch into a new direction, in that case English folk and it’s a largely acoustic album. You may like Robert better on that album. IV is where those two sides, with additional influences, really come together. It’s also where Jimmy Page really mastered his production craft. His use of equalization and layered guitars and other instruments is masterful, but it really starts to shine there. Of these five, though, why Houses? The Rain Song and No Quarter. For many Zep fans one or both of those are among their best. Physical Graffiti is, in my opinion, their last great album, and their greatest. They pull in all of their many outside influences which is really what made Zeppelin different than the other hard rock groups of the era. The Crunge, Dancing Days, and D’yer Maker have those, but I think they aren’t fully integrated into the band here. Dancing Days, for example, is a great riff that settles into an OK song in between. I would agree with you in general, though. I don’t dislike Robert’s vocals, but it’s the music of band themselves that speaks to me, and it would do so just as well (in most cases) with no vocals at all.

Randy Hammill

2022-02-01 18:21:49 +0000 UTC

I really enjoy Robert's work with Allison Kraus.

Andrew Wingham

2022-02-01 18:05:28 +0000 UTC

it took me some time to get used to this album and Robert's high-pitched voice. But I like it overall. Btw Doug, you mixed up the first two titles in the upper left corner. And no, they didn't have a second guitar player when in concert. There's a lot of live LZ on YT, so you can check out their solutions to these songs.

Frits van Voorst

2022-02-01 18:01:15 +0000 UTC

There are songs when he puts the power through, Doug.

Andrew Wingham

2022-02-01 17:52:34 +0000 UTC

Awesome- thank you! excited for a listen when I have more time! some what ambivalent myself about this band- just saw the "Breaking the band' doc - Jimmy Page is a piece of work- and of course brilliant! but wow! the heroine abuse was rough for him and the others -(and the occult stuff as well)- oh well- at least we have some amazing music left in their wake to enjoy! cheers!

kirk mccabe

2022-02-01 17:45:57 +0000 UTC

Interesting that you mention Tool during the song No Quarter, as they actually covered this song and released it in the Salival box set at the end of 2000.

Scott Stone

2022-02-01 17:42:44 +0000 UTC

Check out Plant's later work, for example his work with Alison Krause. Some people who don't like his vocals from the early days nevertheless do connect with the more mature sound of his later work.

Richard Moore

2022-02-01 17:40:54 +0000 UTC

"Move it up a half step to D and it could be a Tool song" – it's funny you said that because Tool has covered No Quarter. And Tool fans really like that rendition. I don't, but who am I to judge. Maybe I have somewhat high expectations because No Quarter is my second favorite LZ song in their whole discography. I was actually shocked when I saw that Led Zeppelin IV lost to Houses of the Holy. Because HOTH is really not an easy album to digest, but it's probably the most adventurous and stylistically diverse out of those that participated in the poll. Also, HOTH is not the best performance of Robert Plant (or the mix is really weird regarding vocals) so that probably affected the judgement. Having said that, Robert Plant is one of my favourite vocalists. I love his phrasing and articulation and he is really master on those rudimentary 'oohs' that give interesting flavour to the overall sound. I have no understanding about singing but Doug's observation about Plant's 'vocal mechanism' being used not fully is peculiar because I always thought that when Plant sings powerfully, it really feels like that, I feel the power in his voice. I sometimes like to rank members of some bands in my head. For Led Zeppelin it's always John Paul Jones and Robert Plant in the top and Page and Bonham below. That might sound controversial, but JPJ arrangements and bass playing are the key things what I like about LZ, I think. And I don't underestimate Bonham and Page. Just I think in the case of Bonham, power wins over rhythmic intricacy when I see a potential for a band to go in full progressive mode, when Jones and Page does something not conventional. But Bonham is a great drummer, his performance on Achilles Last Stand is mindblowing and I hope Doug will react to that song sometime in the future. Houses of the Holy is not my favourite Led Zeppelin album and I hope that if Doug overcomes his dislike towards Plant and decides to react to any other albums, he will choose Led Zeppelin III or Presence. Those are by far my favourites.

Einaras Sipavičius

2022-02-01 17:35:51 +0000 UTC

I haven't listened yet, so maybe you addressed this. But the technique they used to record some of these songs was to show down the speed of the music, lowering its pitch. Then Plant recorded his vocal parts. Then they sped the tracks back up. My mom used to think he sounded like a little girl on Song Remains the Same. Will be listening very soon. Thanks!

Greg Goddu

2022-02-01 17:33:09 +0000 UTC

The Crunge to me is Zeppelins Zappa plays James Brown track :)

Ken Slater

2022-02-01 17:33:00 +0000 UTC

Where I come from, if someone says "I met Robert Plant", we say "so what? he's usually in the little coffee shop on the High Street about now". Its a little strange to hear one of my heroes talked about in such a way but we all are allowed our own opinion.

Ken Slater

2022-02-01 17:22:26 +0000 UTC

Now you have it - Robert exudes sexuality!

Andrew Wingham

2022-02-01 17:18:19 +0000 UTC

Just Page on tour. just the four.

Andrew Wingham

2022-02-01 17:12:28 +0000 UTC

Never under estimate the musicianship of John Paul Jones

Andrew Wingham

2022-02-01 17:04:12 +0000 UTC

"The Crunge" may be my favorite of all their songs. Thanks for reminding me of it. I can't possibly get tired of it. "The Ocean" also has a funky beat, and "No Quarter" is wonderfully weird. I share a similar aural dissonance with the singer of Rush, and I know it is because I was spoiled by the tonal perfection and ontological purity of Jon Anderson and Greg Lake. Speaking of which, I heard Jon perform "Awaken" with Todmobile and Orchestra in Iceland, and it is even better than what Yes was capable of producing. That middle section should titillate your ears and soul. And they lobbed off the cashew dangling from the end of the fruit. It was a moment of holy darshan, like all concerts with Mr. Anderson.

MrWondrous David Beckwith

2022-02-01 16:59:57 +0000 UTC

Very true - the band of the 70s. So so powerful. Robert's voice has masculine power in a feminine way. Think about the way he extends his voice.

Andrew Wingham

2022-02-01 16:55:34 +0000 UTC

What's happenin 🎸🎸. Ya I agree on the vocals

Glen Tucker

2022-02-01 16:39:42 +0000 UTC

Lol. Doesn’t like Robert’s vocals and the first song is one of the strangest sounding recording of Robert. Live it was fine, love the song, but I’ve never cared for the sound of Robert’s voice on Song Remains the Same.

Randy Hammill

2022-02-01 16:38:06 +0000 UTC

I don't like his vocals on the first song either.

Thiago Biscaro

2022-02-01 16:36:13 +0000 UTC

you're allowed to dislike whatever, doug, the fans can take a bit of criticism ✌

JiriK

2022-02-01 16:24:46 +0000 UTC

Houses of the Holy: Led Zeppelin - Extended Play Lounge (Episode 13)

Comments

I have always liked Robert Plant’s voice. He sings with emotion. Shows what I know :)

Robert Plant does so much sing as he tells a story and emotes with musical accompaniment. Maybe that's why he doesn't jive with your picture of what a singer is supposed to be.

Just in case this hasn't been made apparent yet, the old joke is: - My wife's gone to the Caribbean. - Jamaica? (d'yer make 'er?) - No, she went of her own accord. Which is why the lyric is saying "you don't have to go" etc.

Doing a "dance song" that's mostly in a (weird) 9/8 is a perverse touch!

From my perspective, Plant's voice (along with Geddy Lee and Jon Anderson) got better with age. They may have lost a few of the highest notes in their register, but their voices gained more depth and growl ... easier on the ears.

Is incredible! I've always felt the same way about Robert Plat. I share your opinions! Many people think that he is the best Rock singer in history, for me he is far from being among the best of a single decade (70's). Hugs from Chile 🤘🏼😉

vocalization, not focalization

On the end of the song —- “and Far Away”; I wonder if the way that it ends is an attempt to catch the feeling of being far away?

47:35 Tool covered "No Quarter" and released it on Salival in 2000. It's a great listen. No lazy vocal technique and a punctuated ending.

I love "No Quarter", its a musical dream. Plant's vocals are hurt by his registry forcing him to sing from his throat instead of his diaphragm ... a no no to the trained, makes him unique.

Agreed, especially about the live version of No Quarter. Speaking of which... Why not try out Phish's No Quarter? Just an epic live experience, goosebumps every time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCf7YDs-1QE

Also, there's a great acoustic cover of "Dancing Days" by Stone Temple Pilots.

There's some more great acoustic work on Led Zeppellin III and Physical Graffiti. Plant said in an interview the stereotype of them as a "hard rock" band was inflated (he said "half our work is acoustic.").

Physical Graffiti a disappointment? Are you insane? It's easily their best album. It ha four of their top ten songs on it IMO. Ten Years Gone, In the Light, Kashmir, and In My Time of Dying are amazing

Lazy vocals or not, Plant is a Bard to be recognized. I can hear what you mean, though.

I was just going to write the same about the Hohner Electra-Piano. Certainly a very distinctive sound. A friend had one back in the 70s and you could do all sorts with it.

Not Zep's strongest release. This was when their albums became a bit uneven for me. Some of these tracks have to rank among their classics, while others are jokes gone wrong.

Have a listen to "How Many More Times" from the first album and you'll see what I mean Doug. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRkA7ZFoIgQ

I would be interested in a comparison of this vocal performance with the first album, my personal favorite, which was a more bluesy album

Sweet. I can still hit all the lowest notes with my voice. :)

I updated the video link, fixing the mismatching song labels for the first two tunes.

Interesting to watch the reaction. Except for a few exciting rhythmic moments, like the first track, I find this whole album quite blah. My favorite LZ is still their first, followed by the second one. I think it was all downhill after that, never mind their commercial success.

Great video. Not my favourite Led Zep album but an enjoyable watch.

Not Zep's best album but there's some some great playing and the Rain Song is worth the price of the album alone. Appreciate your opinion on Plant but I personally can't imagine any better frontman for this outfit. Love your content Doug. Please do Songs From the Wood Jethro Tull!

Your honesty is great. It's not often people will dislike something popular and it not be just because it popular.

I voted for this, but it hasn't cured my indifference to LZ. I'll try again, without commentary, and give LZ III a spin, a gift from my son, but I think it's a lost cause.

Wikipedia mentions that Plant's lead vocal in "The Song Remains The Same" was sped up slightly in the final mix. In that first song, I hear a bit of the Chipmunk or helium effect caused by the sped up recording. I am surprised Doug didn't mention this.

You should review Tool's version of No Quarter. It is amazing!

Vudu.com

Thanks Randy Hammill for mentioning Steven Wilson. Doug, please do an extended play of Porcupine Tree's "In Absentia" or "Deadwing" or "Signify"

Except D'yer Mak'er that song is bad

Spot on call out of No Quarter being an apt song for Tool. They did a fantastic cover of it on Salival.

Did you forget to hit your pipe? I'm 7 songs in and I may have missed it. :)

Definitely a "tribute" like so many of their older songs! Though this one is very much not directly "borrowed" nearly as much as the early blues tracks were :-)

I have long thought Robert Plant is the "weak link" in Zeppelin - his vocals just don't have the power to match the trio of Bonham, JPJ and Page. I think it comes from his blues background - but it just struggles to stand out and is often dominated. The mix doesn't help this though.

100% agree that the Extended Play Lounge is better used for more cohesive albums. On the other hand, the power for the decision is a gift from Doug to us, and having that power also means that we're the ones collectively responsible for it and not Doug.

Doug, I think for your enjoyment not as a reaction watch the film the Song Remains the Same they were majestic live

I agree with the vocals on this album. I far prefer Plant on the first 4 albums

Oh man! As mentioned before, Tool covered No Quarter. You should TOTALLY react/analyze their version. It's Epic, and VERY TOOL!

D'Yer Mak'er is based on an old british joke, something like: “I’ve just taken my wife on holiday to the Caribbean.” “Jamaica?” “No, she was happy to come.” (Didya make her?)

Interesting how you pointed out the Middle Eastern feel in Dancing Days! I'd never considered that before. Page and Plant fell in love with moroccan music when they traveled there, and there's a lot of that influence on Zep III and of course Kashmir.

Their most diverse album and probably why people voted for it but for most folk not their very best although not a bad album, they never made a bad one. Led Zeppelin IV & Physical Graffiti are rock masterworks!

I really appreciate your works but It would be better to analyze the concept albums (generally story-based) in Extended Play Lounge imo

I really enjoy Robert's work with Allison Kraus.

There are songs when he puts the power through, Doug.

Interesting that you mention Tool during the song No Quarter, as they actually covered this song and released it in the Salival box set at the end of 2000.

Check out Plant's later work, for example his work with Alison Krause. Some people who don't like his vocals from the early days nevertheless do connect with the more mature sound of his later work.

The Crunge to me is Zeppelins Zappa plays James Brown track :)

Where I come from, if someone says "I met Robert Plant", we say "so what? he's usually in the little coffee shop on the High Street about now". Its a little strange to hear one of my heroes talked about in such a way but we all are allowed our own opinion.

Now you have it - Robert exudes sexuality!

Just Page on tour. just the four.

Never under estimate the musicianship of John Paul Jones

Very true - the band of the 70s. So so powerful. Robert's voice has masculine power in a feminine way. Think about the way he extends his voice.

What's happenin 🎸🎸. Ya I agree on the vocals

Lol. Doesn’t like Robert’s vocals and the first song is one of the strangest sounding recording of Robert. Live it was fine, love the song, but I’ve never cared for the sound of Robert’s voice on Song Remains the Same.

I don't like his vocals on the first song either.

you're allowed to dislike whatever, doug, the fans can take a bit of criticism ✌

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