Music Criticism module, Led Zeppelin 2 and 4?

Wow...actually a good question here.

Those two albums to me are the "critical" LZ albums to have.

Zep III and Houses of the Holy have a few really good songs, these albums they experimented more on and were less focused I think.

LZ II was still very raw. and compelling. Much more focused and musically united. With less overdubbing and alternate tuning. It was a straight up rock album. I still enjoy playing Heartbreaker on guitar to this day. Whole Lotta Love was another signature Zep song.

It was very in sync to the rock of the day, Using basic guitar riffs as the main song elements. Similar to Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, those 3 bands became the formula to simulate.

Zep IV, of course contains a couple of seminal Zeppelin songs. Black Dog and Stairway to Heaven. While Rock n Roll and Misty Mountain Hop are secondary, but still good songs well-loved.

This album contained much more overdubbing of guitar parts than previously. And was a bit more "complex" than the first 3 albums, although III began that trend of theirs.

After that, Jimmy got a little too complex and experimented much more with alternate tunings and the music followed. Still, they produced some great tunes. but I think after Led Zep IV, fame started to take control and they declined a bit and became a bit self indulgent.

I'm sure i will have some detractors in my opinions. True blue Zep-heads are going to think I am dissing them and call me names. Zeppelin is the greatest band ever..you suck- type stuff.

But I am a fan of Zeppelin and was lucky enough to see their final US show in 1977.

But purely from a guitarist's viewpoint, I actually prefer II to IV. but those were my "must have" albums back in the day.

Both of those albums are excellent, but I prefer Led Zeppelin IV. I think that Led Zeppelin IV is Led Zeppelin's best album, for numerous reasons. After all, Stairway to Heaven, of all things, might not be the best song on Led Zeppelin IV. Led Zeppelin IV shows at the peak of their songwriting prowess & musicianship, and Led Zeppelin IV doesn't have amy bad songs. Led Zeppelin IV is a perfect album, in my opinion.