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Early morning, I am trying to clean up my sty of a room and I come across my music collection. Now there is a reason why I can never get my room spanking clean – I always get sidetracked by things I should not be doing. I come across my Led Zeppelin collection, and the sentimental fool that I am breaks it out for a listen.

I’m not an expert on Led Zeppelin, just a very appreciative fan of their music. I grew up enjoying the best of Eastern and Western music. Often, I wish that there would be Chinese rock bands that were on par with Led Zeppelin, but it’s no conincidence why Led Zeppelin is legendary. The only Chinese rock band with a great production history currently is MayDay, but their subject matter is still aligned with the popular Asian mainstream, which is talking about love all the time! Give them a listen, they’re a great band and are slowly evolving out of that funk.

When I came to Canada, hip-hop and R&B started as my predominant music choice, but all the while there was rock’n roll. Pop was everywhere, and classical music was my musical upbringing. The only music I never really got into was Country. But I really loved the late 60s and early 70s – the era I regard as rock’s shining moment. Led Zeppelin ruled the airwaves and concerts back then.

I’ve never been to a Zeppelin concert, but their music spoke to a soul within me. Perhaps it’s Jimmy Page’s perfect fusion of blues into heavy rock, perhaps it’s Robert Plant’s hypnotizing howls. The moment someone hears a Zeppelin album, they will agree it’s great! But which Zeppelin album is your favourite?

Personally, my favourite is album II. Album I took rock to a new direction with its content and production. Album I was the bluesier album, but seemed unrefined; almost like a rehearsal for the real thing. Album II is well known for its songs and classic rock riffs from songs like Whole Lotta Love, Living Loving Maid, Heartbreaker and Moby Dick. Album IV is my next favourite with the classic Stairway to Heaven, Black Dog.. and my head banging favourite – When The Levee Breaks (well, I don’t headbang, but your head just wants to move listening to that tune!).

Why do I love Zeppelin? The blues influence in their music, the hynoptizing effects of their guitars and drums, the almost feminine lyrics of Robert Planet. They all combine for the perfect Zeppelin experience. When I say feminine lyrics, I mean to say that Robert approached lyrics in a different way than other frontmen, almost as if women had wrote them. I also love the fact the band is just as important as the front man. Nowadays, band solos and music are not as important anymore. This is another reason why I like the 70s rock, because those bands really allow sections of the music to be nothing but the music, no lyrics! Great examples of such bands are Black Sabbath and Rush.

So there you have it, my favourite Led Zeppelin albums in this order, II, IV, I, III. I didn’t rate Houses Of Holy because it wasn’t quite the same Zeppelin in that album. Which Zeppelin album is your favourite? and why?

P.S. Don’t you think “When The Levee Breaks” is crying out for the people in New Orleans suffering from Hurricane Katrina? The music is heavily influenced from the Orleans Jazz and Blues, and that harmonica in the track. Great!