Was Houses of the Holy a step down in quality after 4?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Morfmusic, Nov 8, 2018.

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  1. uzn007

    uzn007 Watcher of the Skis

    Location:
    Raleigh, N.C.
    I don't think of any Zeppelin songs as being particularly danceable, but in terms of riffs, this song is one of the tops.
     
  2. If I Can Dream_23

    If I Can Dream_23 Forum Resident

    Location:
    United States
    Beautifully said.

    I always felt those two albums are indeed somewhat "sister records", despite being years apart and a bit different thematically. As you said, I always found it refreshing when Page went "slightly bright" or lush with the production. Those two records stand out, sonically, as adventurous counterparts to the more "earthy" or raw aspects of albums like II, IV or Graffiti.

    I'm also one who actually likes Plant's manipulated vocals on Houses. It benefits the material. Especially something like the worldly opening track. I like that it was an artistic decision and something a bit different. I never fault bands for that. Granted, some may not have liked it as well, but Zeppelin never made albums by formula or past blueprints. It's why their music still remains so fresh.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2018
  3. zen

    zen Senior Member

    We also did a "Zeppelin medley" (of their most famous riffs) which went on for 8 minutes and the dance floor was hopping!
     
  4. RandelPink

    RandelPink The camel wore a nightie

    Location:
    LA
    I'll never understand the negative vibes towards The Crunge, love that track! Where's that confounded bridge?
     
  5. Dopey

    Dopey Well-Known Member

    a tiny step down
     
  6. If I Can Dream_23

    If I Can Dream_23 Forum Resident

    Location:
    United States
    I love it too. It's very pure Zeppelin actually - meaning that it shows them being open to putting their own twist on all or any influences. It's a funky, fun and tongue in cheek track. Nothing more, nothing less. I think that even trying to "evaluate it" implies some type of false seriousness about it that misses the whole point. It's intended as a "throwaway" so to speak.

    Then again, I'm the same guy who also thinks "Hot Dog" is one of the greatest things they ever did for much the same reason. So it shows you what I know. :)
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2018
  7. kaztor

    kaztor Music is the Best

    I think it’s a leap forwards.
    From this point on the sound somehow became heavier with more of a groove. I also prefer Plant’s shot vocals over his earlier contributions.
     
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  8. Dr. Funk

    Dr. Funk Vintage Dust

    Location:
    Fort Worth TX
    No Quarter just may be the best track that Led Zeppelin recorded. :agree:
     
  9. audiotom

    audiotom I can not hear a single sound as you scream

    Location:
    New Orleans La USA
    leap forward for me
    No Quarter - Mysterious
    Rain Song - captivating melodies
    The Song Remains the Same - epic driving
    Dyer Maker, Dancing Days - playfulness
    Over The Hills and Far Away - light/shade magic
    The Ocean, The Crunge - Funk

    This or Physical Graffiti are my fave

    Where's that confounded bridge?
     
  10. Monosterio

    Monosterio Forum Resident

    Location:
    South Florida
    It’s a much better step down than Goats Head Soup or Draw the Line, that’s for sure...
     
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  11. Jet Age Eric

    Jet Age Eric Forum Resident

    Location:
    SIlver Spring, MD
    No, HOTH is better. -E
     
  12. audiotom

    audiotom I can not hear a single sound as you scream

    Location:
    New Orleans La USA
    Plants vocals

    heavy over helium

    me too

    funny they sped a few vocals up to compensate here
     
  13. Purple Jim

    Purple Jim Senior Member

    Location:
    Bretagne
    What I have always found amazing is the way that IV seemed to be the almighty crescendo summit of that first series of albums. How could they follow that?
    Well they did and brilliantly with such a rich and varied album. I see it as a kind of new chapter of Zep, bringing in reggae, funk while still delivering epic masterpices like New Quarter, Rain Song and the title track. Yet another 5 star album.
     
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  14. malcolm reynolds

    malcolm reynolds Handsome, Humble, Genius

    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Led Zeppelin 4 is 4 for 8 when it comes to good songs. Houses Of The Holy is 7 for 8. So no, not a step down.
     
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  15. Echoes Myron

    Echoes Myron Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Nope.
     
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  16. Mike Reynolds

    Mike Reynolds Forum Resident

    Location:
    California
    I don't think Houses Of The Holy was a step down from IV in terms of the number of quality songs on the album.

    I do, however, think the album sounds on the thin side compared to IV. Its too mid tone-y throughout. Not a lot of dynamic range. That's been my only gripe about the album since I first played it 40+ years ago.

    I actually like more songs on HotH than IV. I just wish the album had a better tone. I don't hate the album because if it, but it does keep me from playing it as much as the other albums in their catalogue.

    I think an interesting discussion might be which album has better sound production; III or HotH.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2018
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  17. SurrealCereal

    SurrealCereal Forum Resident

    Location:
    California
    Yes, but it's not a disappointment. It isn't a perfect masterpiece like IV is, but it's full of songs that are great in their own right.
     
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  18. Terrapin Station

    Terrapin Station Master Guns

    Location:
    NYC Man/Joy-Z City
    I see every Zeppelin album as its own thing. They're all pretty unique stylistically. And I value them all equally.
     
  19. agentalbert

    agentalbert Senior Member

    Location:
    San Antonio, TX
    Yes, it was a step down. Still an excellent album, but a slight down-tick.
     
  20. RudolphS

    RudolphS Forum Resident

    Location:
    Rio de Janeiro
    IV
    II
    Physical Graffiti
    III
    I
    Houses of The Holy
    Presence
    In Through The Out Door
     
  21. O Don Piano

    O Don Piano Senior Member

    “Hot Dog” could have been one of their greatest songs if Page could have played it like his 1970 style! I’m really surprised that he let it out as sloppily, half a$$ed played as it is. It’s a cool heavy rockabilly song- a recognition of then current punk urgency and Zep’s own roots.
     
  22. Man at C&A

    Man at C&A Senior Member

    Location:
    England
    Houses is my fave too. Then III.
     
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  23. Sondek

    Sondek Forum Resident

    Why do some folks dislike The Crunge so much? I don't see a problem with that track at all.
     
  24. Neonbeam

    Neonbeam All Art Was Once Contemporary

    Location:
    Planet Earth
    Absolutely not! Why? (That "D'yer Make'r" would be exhibit A was to be expected but I absolutely love that song. And the squeaking bass pedal on "The Ocean" is also very nice)
     
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  25. HiFi Guy 008

    HiFi Guy 008 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    The original Wicker Man - not the US remake, yes.
    Houses Of The Holy is a Holy Mother of an album, from beginning to finish, and when Over The Hills And Far Away kicks in, it's the first track that let's me know that is this is a serious record. Much tighter and more gripping than anything on IV. (Even The Crunge). But I could do without D'yer Maker. Sounds like something that was recorded for IV.

    Btw, my 1980's vinyl reissue had zero surface noise during Rain Song.

    Houses Of The Holy. Holy Moly. Listening to a needledrop of the incredible Classic Records 45.
    LOVE that squeak of the pedal on The Ocean!
    The last line on the album, of Robert saying, 'Oh, so good," sums it up. He was right. It is.
    The whole album is propulsive, tight and gripping.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2018
    DHamilton, Man at C&A and Hatfield74 like this.
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