How would you describe an LP on which Side One opens with the song Black Dog and closes on with Stairway to Heaven? Between all these songs you have the top hits of one of rock’s most loved band with classics like Rock and Roll and The Battle of Evermore, one of the band’s most beautiful creations. Of all their records, Led Zep’s fourth album, released in late 1971, remains their most admired work ever.

‘Led Zeppelin IV’ is not just Led Zeppelin’s finest albums, but one of rock’s all-time best LPs ever done. The untitled fourth album, known as ‘Led Zeppelin IV’, is devoid of writing on the cover, and only the inner sleeve contains liner notes. The latter disclose that the female vocal on The Battle of Evermore is Sandy Denny.

This album was widely known as ‘Led Zeppelin IV’, or simply came to be known as Untitled, Four Symbols and Zoso, but its true title is formed by the four unpronounceable symbols chosen by each band member. You had the band members namely John Bonham on drums, John Paul Jones on bass, Jimmy Page on guitars and Robert Plant on vocals and harmonica.

The gatefold album design had no photos or band information, but had an illustration of the hermit.

Side Two opens with Misty Mountain Hop, moves to Four Sticks, Going to California, the last song inspired by Page and Plant’s devotion to folk singer Joni Mitchell, as well as their love of the West Coast. The album ends with When the Levee Breaks.

This album is surely one of any rock fans must have albums, for its been both loved and loathed in equal measures, And the song Stairway to Heaven is a song that probably has the world’s greatest ever guitar solo. While all the songs have a story to them, Black Dog in particular takes it title from an adventurous Labrador that would wander around the band while they recorded the song at the studio.

Released on: 8^th November 1971

Pressing: US

Duration: 42. 20

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira