My favorite by LZ is III and I think it's their most eclectic offering. Side I (dating myself, I know) is one of the best sides ever commtiited to vinyl. "Since I've Been Lovin' You", IMHO, is my favorite LZ tune and contains one of the best guitar solos ever. The tone of Page's guitar is to die for. Side 2 is a lot more mellow, starting out with Gallow's Pole and the beautiful Tangerine. They then try to do the folksinger thing with mixed results, but it's a progressive move for them given the first two records which I laud them for.
To me, after IV, Page's guitar tone suffered. I don't know what he did, but the guitars lost that visceral punch. Plant's incredible vocals began to decline in earnest, too, first evidenced on Houses of the Holy and then, more notably, with Physical Grafitti. The songwriting and albums were still great, but the band were in decline.
I saw them in concert in 1977 and it was the WORST concert I ever saw. Page was wasted and could barely stand up. The playing was garage-band sloppy. I actually left before it was over, something I'd never done.
That first video box set, I think, is one of the best video documentaries of any band I've ever seen. Some great early performances. If you watch that and don't like them, then they're not your cuppa!
The Bonham/Jones rhythym section is a steam locomotive of goodness. Jones is one of the greatest rock bassists, IMHO, and is severely underappreciated.
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