A loud, lumbering, pseudopsychedelic blues and folk romp. Page is an absolute wizard, Plant’s voice irritates me at times. It’s incredible how distinct their sound is right out of the gate, in the face of so many other blues rockers that came before; it’s a disservice to call this them successors to anyone. In true blues tradition, the lyrics are foreboding and morose, but blues is most absorbing when the words raise eyebrows, and “You Shook Me” is a non-starter on that front. Did I mention loud?
[“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” “Dazed and Confused,” “Your Time Is Gonna Come,” “Black Mountain Side”]
8
1969, Atlantic