Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti - 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (180g) Vinyl 3LP

Expansive sixth studio album from Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones. After nearly a two year hiatus Led Zeppelin came back with their most sprawling and ambitious work, Physical Graffiti. The album was a result of extended recording sessions at Headley Grange, as well as earlier material that had been left off of previous albums. Throughout the album the band incorporates many stylistic influences. There's the epic, eastern tinged "Kashmir" and the funk infused rock of "Trampled Underfoot," (hello Franz Ferdinand riff) which is given extra energy from John Paul Jones' keyboard work. They flirt with pop on "Houses Of The Holy" and even take in a little country on "Down by the Seaside." And you cannot forget the blues, which is all over the record. They attack it harder and heavier than on any of their previous work. "In My Time of Dying," "Custard Pie," and the epic "The Rover" pack more collective punch than anything off of Led Zeppelin IV or Houses of the Holy. There's plenty more to sift through, from acoustic moments to more adventurous material. For all you get on Physical Graffiti, it's the greatest document of Led Zeppelin at the height of their career.

• 50th anniversary deluxe edition w/ bonus LP containing studio outtakes
• 180g black triple vinyl pressing
• includes foldout replica promo poster
• original release year: 1975
• music label: Atlantic 2025

reviewed by Hank Ohs 03/2015