Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Led Zeppelin Remasters Review (part 1)

Source/Album

Led Zeppelin - Remasters

Must Listen Track List

 
(Part 1)

1.   Achilles Last Stand
2.   All of My love
3.   Babe Im Gonna Leave you
4.   Dyer Maker
5.   Dazed and Confused
6.   In the evening
7.   Kashmir
---------------------------------------------------

( Part 2 )

8.   No Quarter
9.   Nobodys fault but mine
10. Ramble On
11. The Song Remains the same
12. Stairway to Heaven
13. Trampled Underfoot
14. Whole Lotta Love



Preface : It is indeed really really late to be doing such a review of such a legendary band.But there will be perverts out there who are very biased about this band and they would have twisted reasons to not listen to em.If any of you are reading, i would be glad to tell you that i was one of you.Then i decided to give those tracks a chance.I am very thankful that i decided to do so.

This is an absolutely rollicking list of 14 top songs in this album..yes , right ! 14 top songs ! This album/compilation is an absolute worth an absolute go get ! I am not sure if this was an official release by Led Zeppelin or not , but if you are someone who has heard of the band and is looking for some of their best, then this is the right place to start ! The quality of the mastering is also good , and really shows through in some of the songs like Dyer Maker.

Before i review the tracks , I would like to thank my friend Manjunath for intro-ing me to Led Zepps music.I am so not regretting it! I hope you dont (or arent ) too. If you are , then god save you.


The Remasters compilation brings together a whole array of songs , composed diversely, under different arrangements,and most importantly in different times.It gives an insight into how the music of Led Zeppelin jumps from their earlier guitar heavy /vocal heavy nature to more eclectic/subtle composition oriented numbers (say , like Kashmir).

To start off with , i have reviewed the first 7 songs ,the (part 1) of the list.

1.Achilles Last Stand - This is more of an instrumental/bass and guitar driven number that you can only see led zeppelin do.Why you ask ? Coz only Robert plant can sing like Jimmy Paiges guitar ! The incredible bass lines, stellar guitaring and the grooviest drumming by John Bonham takes this song to super-grooviness , and then Robert Plant takes over and transforms the trance into nirvana in ways only he can do with his sound box :).

2.All Of My Love - This  boy burns down to the synthesizers .. Its all John Paul Jones and Plant here.The drum has not been overplayed (and very cleverly avoided to preserve the feel of the song).Jimmy paige pitches in with those guitars that can turn any song into bliss.Must be heard to be appreciated (cocky but true).In my book , its one of Led Zeps best works for sure

3.Babe Im Gonna Leave You - There are only a few songs in this world that will grab you like no other.This song is one of them.It makes you realize that someone like Plant was destined to meet Jimmy Paige.And thank god that Jimmy Paige knew about John Bonham and oh thank god that John Paul Jones had decided not to choose studio sessions over band jamming.This song is it .This song has led zeppelin all over it.Every note from the guitar , every improvised phrase from Plant.Every thumping snare beat from Bonham and every carefully played bass note from Jones.This is led zepp at its best.So effortlessly conveying it through a very tough to replicate music.Music that is Led Zepp ,and will remain to be so.

4.   Dyer Maker - This one is a very soft number by the band,in the lines of other numbers like Fool in the Rain and All Of My Love.The rendition by plant is top notch and he makes you believe that no else can even have an attempt at the subtle attempt at the nuances and highs that he takes us through this song.The song is Plant himslef and as you keep listening , you might start wondering whether Led Zepp songs can be covered by anyone else at all , with the same ferocity and emotions.Paige plays on this track like a master craftsman, performing a similar role to a jazz drummer who lets the leading instrumentalists take stage and covers the subtle nuances.Subtle, yet brilliant.

5.   Dazed and Confused -
This is a percussionists melody.And Plant butts in as well.Its kinda hard to stop Plant from butting in at any place in any song, coz that boys got some voice.The whole melody and the feel of the song is carried by plant , and John Bonham drives the slow,painful feel with some brilliant wrist work and intelligent rolls on the drums.Jimmy paige takes over at the end with the most soul tearing guitar licks that you would ever hear.The song starts slowly and to a fitting end that would leave you with just one single agenda..Repeat !

6.   In the evening -
This is by far my favourite led zeppelin song.Through this song , I have learnt that Rock and roll neednt always be loud,there neednt be a structure to the vocals , and no stanzas ! Plant is a master here.he knows when the riffs are moving , when the rolls are coming adn when the drummer is going to break .I am not sure if its all improvisation, but even if programmed that way , it would take some creativity to keep a song like this going on one single riff (Jimmy ? how ? ) , and still keep it interesting.John Bonham needs no mention.Hes a hero already, and he keeps upto his legendary standards.

7.   Kashmir
- Time to thank Jones again ( pianist/ and almost every other non-guitar and non-drum instrumentalist) for the arrangement.The song starts of with a rollicking score to start with and thumping percussions.Haunting vocals by Plant and the orchestra like arrangement makes this song a very sumptous listening experience.More dynamic than any of the older led zepp counterparts.The song also has a very indianish feel to it , although i suspect that it could be any other local folk flavour as well.The experimental nature of the song,renders itself beautifully ,given the fact that most other led zeppelin songs are nothing like it.You will definitely enjoy this one.





Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Opeth part ways with Per Wiberg

Blabbermouth reports that Opeth have parted ways with their keyboardist, Per Wiberg on mutual consent. This is extremely unfortunate and I have reason to believe that Opeth fired him. For what reason, I can't tell.

Per added a new dimension to Opeth's music. His work on Ghost Reveries, especially on tracks like Baying of the Hounds and Grand Conjuration was remarkable and made the album much more beautiful. Not to forget the solo on Burden, from the album Watershed, which is one of my personal favorite works of his. As Mikael Akerfeldt put it once, Per is one of the best metal keyboardist of all time. I am not acquainted with other works of his, but his work with Opeth definitely ranks high up there with the best amongst the limited amount of music I have explored.

I was lucky enough to watch them perform live at Chennai and it was one wild night. The keyboard part on Heir Apparent's intro set the tone for the rest of the show. I just hope that the work he has done with Opeth on the new album, which is due later this year is better than Ghost Reveries and Watershed.

Opeth will never be the same without him. :(

Monday, March 14, 2011

Electro Quarterstaff

I read about this 5 piece instrumental band on metalinjection.net and I have been hooked ever since! They are very trippy to listen to. And technical. That there is no vocalist to divert your attention from the awesomeness that they create with guitars and drums is an added advantage. Check them out on their myspace page.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thaalam - Job, Charan, Yakzon (Malayalam)

The other day, a cousin of mine posted a link to this video below.






After doing some googling around the title of the track, I decided to check out the album. It turns out that Rex Vijayan of Avial fame was part of the production. A very excellent malayalam album. Unlike most other stuff that the pop industry from the state churn out, this had some very good compositions and Rex's mixing really stands out. And the three young artists, under whose names the album is, have done an excellent work on the vocals, with the exception of the track Iruthala Pakshi, in which the legendary Malayalam actor, Nedumudi Venu has lent his extraordinarily powerful voice.

One thing I particularly liked about this album is that the bass stands out. Like I often say on twitter, Bass guitar is to Beautiful music, what mascara is to a pair of beautiful eyes.

Do check out the album.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

First Post from the Co-Author

If you have chanced upon this blog , then you are extremely lucky.Coz i am the Co-Author :) 

That means i ll mostly be out of action :)


Watch Out 


 - Shrecks

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Enforcer : Diamonds

Heavy Metal is not old school, it is timeless - Enforcer
 Enforcer's Diamonds came as a throwback to the 80s, when I first listened to it. The riffs, vocals, drums, bass all remind us of the wonderful music scene created by the likes of Judas Priest  etc. The album maintains that feel throughout. It is basically an album where the guys went to the studio and had fun recording it. Not one for the serious listener, but certainly worth picking up and listening to, when in the casual mood.

The standout song for me is Katana. 6 mins of bliss, signature changes, cheerful music.

I would give the album 7/10. Just give it a listen and enjoy the time travel to the 80s!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Silver Clouds and the Black Lining

Never thought I would have to read something like this. It looks like a very well thought out decision from the man. I hope he comes back some time back in the future and the others will be ready to welcome him back.

That said, Dream Theater will never be the same without it's face. The man who nurtured it for 25 years. Possibly the best drummer alive. I was thinking about writing a review of his work on Avenged Sevenfold's Nightmare when this news came. I think that should wait for later.