It was on a Monday on the 8^th of November 1971, when Led Zeppelin released their fourth album. Usually, in a review, the name of the album would be given or mentioned, but Led Zeppelin chose not to have an official name or title for their album. Instead the four symbols pictured above (designed to represent the members of the band) were the only discernable markings on an otherwise blank album with the exception of a painting of an old man carrying sticks.

It is, however, most commonly referred to as IV. The album had a lot to live up to at the time. While Led Zeppelin had admiration from many fans, the media was not one of them. While regular fans fawned over them, the media thought of them as overrated and only selling albums from their namesake. Led Zeppelin had to prove their worth to fans and media, and many would say that this album was the pinnacle that started their ascension to become one of the biggest bands of all time.

Although, to say this album was the pinnacle of their future success would be an overstatement. It only had eight tracks, with the songs “Misty Mountain Hop” and “Four Sticks” a bit disappointing, with both tracks being a little boring. But don’t get me wrong, I still though it was a great album. The tracks “When the Levee Breaks”, “Rock and Roll” and “Black Dog” all really impressing me.

The more hardcore Led Zeppelin fans will have already noticed that I have not included the song “Stairway To Heaven” so far in the review. Which is perhaps Led Zeppelin’s most played and demanded song and in my opinion their best one. Although some people would claim this song to be massively overplayed, it certainly hit all the right buttons in the seventies, shooting quickly to becoming the most requested song on U.S FM Radio, despite allegations of backwards-satanic messages in the song. I think the song shows a wonderful artistic and lyrical talent and, has one of the most respected guitar solos ever at its end.

On the whole, IV was a kind of defining moment, in Led Zeppelin’s battle with the media. In a time when the band was becoming known for drugs, drink, an incident where John Bonham drove a motorcycle through the Ritz Hotel (Ah come on, you probably would too if you had the chance) and

excess in general, they had to prove their worth as a band. The fans and public in general loved this album in particular the song “Stairway To Heaven.” Another success with Led Zeppelin’s IV was the fact that the album cover had no band name or album name, proving they didn’t just sell from their namesake.

A great and perhaps defining album in my opinion.