led zeppelin / albums

Led Zeppelin's primary method of artistic expression was their albums. Although they had a handful of hit singles and although selected album tracks were played endlessly on the radio, the true range of their music is only evident on the original albums, which were carefully sequenced and assembled. Consequently, the notion of a Led Zeppelin anthology is a bit strange -- their records worked as individual pieces. Nevertheless, the four-disc box set Led Zeppelin includes most of their best and most famous material. Jimmy Page determined the set's running order, taking the songs out of their familiar contexts and placing them in a new, occasionally jarring, sequence, providing new insights to the band's music that dedicated fans will appreciate. Led Zeppelin is the only album in their catalog to include the classic B-side "Hey Hey What Can I Do," as well as their unreleased version of Robert Johnson's "Travelling Riverside Blues" and a live medley of Page's "White Summer/Black Mountain Side." Most fans will find these three tracks essential, but will balk at the price, especially since all of Zeppelin's albums have been remastered since the original release of the box set. While the box contains a wealth of brilliant music, all of it is better heard in its original incarnation. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide