Led Zeppelin I vs Led Zeppelin IV

[Sludgenutz]

II

"I" has that raw, rocking sound I love. I'd almost call Good Times, Bad Times and Communication Breakdown proto-punk.

+1. II works for me. The band was fresh off the tour for "I", and they brought all the energy into the studio for II!

Zep's debut is steeped in its own Blues tea, and there was/will never be another IV. There is no substitute for "When the Levee Breaks". I may want to hear it only every three years or so, but I gotta have it at the ready.

I and IV are just too played out, in the universe between my ears.

I never bought any Zep release after "Presence" (unless you count the "BBC Sessions"). The industry hyped "In Through the Out Door" like crack addicted apes. I was there for the FM radio/printed page hype, I heard it the album...and it stank.

[Zhangliqun]

I like Zep I over everything else they ever did. Plenty of good stuff later on but among other things, Plant's vocals never sounded as good as on the first album. After that he got thin/nasal and a bit shrill, as did Pagey's guitar come to think of it (with some exceptions). The manly wail and roar was gone...