Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin

There’s a good argument to be made that 1971 was the best year for music since the invention of the gramophone. This album is a prime example of a good album being more than the sum of its parts. It’s not perfect by any means - Stairway to Heaven plods along for just a bit too long and let’s face it, however good John Bonham’s drumming is, When The Levee Breaks is still a bunch of white guys playing delta blues.

However the rest of the album more than makes up for these petty cavils, with a mix of stomping rock’n’roll and quieter numbers, with a bit of Tolkien-esque elves and goblins folderol prog thrown in for good measure. Speaking of which, The Battle of Evermore is notable for featuring the great Sandy Denny and it’s a shame that she didn’t get to do more with the band as her vocals are a perfect complement for Robert Plant’s.