Houses Of The Holy [Original recording remastered]

Led Zeppelin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 19, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000002J0B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (366 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #677 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists > Guitar Gods
  • #12 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > British Metal
  • #14 in Music > Classic Rock > Supergroups

Track Listings

1. The Song Remains The Same

2. The Rain Song

3. Over The Hills And Far Away

4. The Crunge

5. Dancing Days

6. D'yer Mak'er

7. No Quarter

8. The Ocean

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Robert Plant once said that a chunk of the Zep catalog was "music for hippie bookstores." While much of Houses of the Holy thumps hard enough to knock the incense holders off the speakers, the generally upbeat vibe makes this a great choice for playing on the first (dancing) day of spring, windows flung wide open as Jimmy Page's lead lines soar out over the neighbors' rosebushes. Plant is at his most lovey-dovey here, whether updating Chuck Berry on "The Ocean," extolling the virtues of his Page 3 girl on "The Crunge," or writing greeting cards for that patchouli-scented side-street shop on "The Rain Song." In a word: grand. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

One of the most varied Led Zep albums, and, not coincidentally, one of their finest, with the gentle Rain Song and humorous D'yer Mak'er balancing off the crushing Dancing Days and No Quarter . From 1973.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 104 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A flawlessly diverse mind-blowing classic February 17, 2005

By Alan Pounds

Format:Audio CD

Imagine turning out four of the most successful and groundbreaking heavy metal/blues-rock albums of all time, only to go on turning out more outstanding material. Very few bands in history have consistently delivered mind-blowing albums one after the other for an extended period of time the way Zeppelin has. Zeppelin had invented the sound of the decade, and by 1973, they were really ready to spread their wings (as if they hadn't already).

"Houses Of The Holy" follows the same foot steps as "Led Zeppelin IV", but the approach is much more easy-going. Jimmy Page's riffs range from folk hooks as well as his classic blues-rock hooks, giving the album a lighter and looser feel. The album kicks off with epic "The Song Remains the Same". "The Rain Song" is a moody, meandering tune, sprawling progressive rock arrangements touching on classical music, jazz, blues, and folk, as well as hard rock. Robert Plant's vocals are soulful and heartfelt. "The Rain Song" also shows Jimmy Page's growth as a producer. "Over the Hills and Far Away" was a further progression away from the band's original heavy blues into more diverse arrangements. The acoustic introduction is a variation of Jimmy Page's own "White Summer," which was highly influenced by Davey Graham's "She Moved Thro' the Fair." The affectionate James Brown send-up "The Crunge," one of my favorites, really adds to the diversity of the album. "Dancing Days" gives you a solid taste of their classic hard rock strut. The reggae-influenced song "D'Yer Mak'er", featuring John Bonham's driving drums makes for an exceptional love song. The song was released as a single and reached the top 20, staying on the charts for total of eight weeks. Zeppelin's spooky "No Quarter" is a jazz, bluesy jam. The songs starts off with John Paul Jones' electric piano, reminiscent of the Doors' "Riders On The Storm". The song jumps into Bonham's hard-hitting drums, then leads into Page's blues-rock riff, backed by an analog synthesizer. Plant paints a picture of creepy images within his soaring slowed-down vocals. "The Ocean" makes for a great closer, featuring a funky guitar riff from Page, into an a cappella, going out swinging.

It's hard to pick a "best" Zeppelin album. Usually my favorite is the one I am currently listening too. "Houses Of The Holy" lives up to the reputation of their first four masterpieces. They took a chance and were unfazed by the spotlight. This album adds dramatic influence to heavy metal, blues-rock and hard rock as we know it today. Don't miss out on this flawless classic.

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For some reason it's a great summer album April 19, 2000

By Sal Nudo VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Ah, 1973: It was the year I was born, Pink Floyd put out the seminal Dark Side Of The Moon, and Led Zeppelin's arguably best release, "Houses of the Holy," also came out. The urgent opening riffs on "The Song Remains the Same" signal great things to come. Jimmy Page does some marvelous twin guitar work, Robert Plant has an almost Chimpmunkish yelp, and we're off and running. "The Rain Song" quickly tones things down, a soothing, dreamy tune sprung from the South Carribean, with strings in the background for further relaxing effect. "The Rain Song" might be Zeppelin's best acoustic song ever.

Like Pink Floyd, Zeppelin refused to releasing songs as singles. And yet, structured pop shines through on the folkishly delightful "Over the Hills and Far Away," the fun rock jingle of "Dancing Days," and the reggae- flavored "D'yer Maker." "No Quarter" contains a dimmer vibe, filled with buzzy guitars, a brooding piano, and Plant's isolated voice coming through in distorted tones, like a man coping with deep depression. Midway through, John Paul Jones plays a beautifully serene piano, only to give way to John Bonham's smooth rhythmic drum kick. The band's cohesiveness is at an all-time high here, as everyone involved gets to subtly show off. There's nothing coy about the next sublime rocker, "The Ocean," which anybody with half a heartbeat could stomp along to.

"Houses of the Holy" may have been Zeppelin at its height; the band could have called it quits after this record and still be assured easy classic-rock status. It's simply another great Zeppelin album that adds to a string of greats. The guys kept their style simple, yet branched out a bit and explored new avenues. Some would even say that all Zeppelin albums after this one were pleasant icing on the cake. Of course, the same thing has been said about Pink Floyd after 1973, as well.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just heavy metal August 20, 2000

By Matt Howat

Format:Audio CD

If you think of Led Zeppelin as heavy metal band, then you've only heard Whole Lotta Love and Black Dog. On this album, as with each of their albums, they went far, far outside the realm of whatever heavy metal encompasses.

From the majestic opening of The Song Remains The Same to the '50's doo-wop fade-out of The Ocean, this is possibly Led Zep's most consistent album. With one-man orchestra John Paul Jones prominent on The Rain Song and No Quarter, Jimmy Page in brillant acoustic form on Over The Hills And Far Away and pulling out a killer riff in Dancing Days, John Bonham dominating The Crunge and D'yer Mak'er (pronounced Jamaica, for those who don't know), and Robert Plant superb throughout, each member of the band is at their peak, at a time before the excesses of subsequent tours began to take their toll.

The perfect album to listen to pool-side on a sunny day. Just crank it up and enjoy the magic.