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Rating: March 31st, '76. The airship brings down to earth its most underrated work, most criticized, namely that "Presence," a record that in my opinion deserves much more attention than the much-revered "IV." By this, I absolutely do not mean to say that "IV" is not the outstanding Led Zep album; however (in my humble opinion), too many words have been spent on it. This has not happened to "Presence." After this introduction, let's move on to the actual album.
The first thing that catches the eye is the splendid cover, with that curious black obelisk. Some claim it is a satanic object explicitly wanted by Page, although I do not agree with this assertion. How many bands have been accused of satanism by the media? The answer is too many, so (excuse the term) fuck the criticism! as the Zeppelin themselves said, the only thing that matters is the music.
And one couldn’t choose a better start, the song that in my opinion surpasses "Stairway to Heaven" but remains hidden in its shadow. Yes, I'm talking about "Achilles Last Stand," the epic and unique, in its majestic ten minutes and twenty-five seconds of existence. A great performance from Bonzo on drums, a stunning bass by Jones, the voice of the convalescent Plant, here at excellent levels (as always, to be honest), and finally the twenty-thousand overdubbed guitars of Page confer the piece a splendid magic that only Led Zep songs can make you feel. We proceed with "For Your Life", rocking, simply (to use a very common and simple adjective) beautiful. "Royal Orleans," the third track, talks about an incident at the Royal Orleans Hotel. It seems that a group member brought a trans person thinking it was a woman. The mysterious member and the trans person, smoking weed, fell asleep, and the lit joint caused a small fire. A story that many will find unsettling, while to me it sounds hilarious, I mean, only the Led can give us such stories. Call it rock attitude or however you like. The fourth track "Nobody's Fault But Mine" with vague blues accents makes you want to dance, believe me. Page's complex guitar arrangements demonstrate his skill, and I must say that Jones truly excels with his bass on this track. We move on to "Candy Store Rock," one of the ugliest Zeppelin songs ever (and there are few ugly ones in their catalog, indeed, it's very rare to find one, but this one…), and Plant contradicts me by stating that "Candy Store Rock" is, in his opinion, one of the best Zeppelin songs. If Plant says so...
"Hots On For Nowhere," the sixth track, narrates the misunderstandings between Plant, Page, and their beloved producer, Peter Grant. It is one of the few songs in the Zeppelin catalog to use the word "fuck." Musically, it's based on a lively rhythm, rich in interesting riffs (Plant) and grooves (Bonzo). The seventh and final track, a real call to the distant past, is "Tea For One," a slow blues reminiscent of the much-loved (by me) "Since I've been Loving You," a piece played on the emotions that only the blues can release, and that finds the best expression with James and Robert, the two masters. Its nine minutes and twenty-seven seconds are all that one could ask for from life, namely that poignant feeling of dominating the world. And I'm not exaggerating. One of the many reasons why the Led are my absolute favorite band.
In conclusion, I believe I have done justice to this masterpiece, doing my best. Long live Led Zeppelin.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Achilles Last Stand (10:28)
It was an April morning when they told us we should go.
As I turned to you, you smiled at me; how could we say no?
Whoa, the fun to have! To live the dreams we always had.
Whoa, the songs to sing! When we at last return again.
Sending off a glancing kiss to those who claim they know
Below the streets that steam and hiss, the devil's in his home.
Whoa, to sail away! Sandy lands and other days.
Whoa, to touch the dream! That hides inside and is never seen, yeah.
Into the sun of south and north at last the birds have flown.
The shackles of commitment fell in pieces on the ground.
Whoa, to ride the wind! To tread the air above the din.
Whoa, to laugh aloud! Dancing high above the crowd.
Seek the man whose pointing hand the giant step unfolds.
With guidance from the curving path that churns up into stone!
If one bell should ring, celebration for a king.
So fast the heart should beat, as proud the head with heavy feet, yeah.
[Solo]
Days went by when you and I made an eternal summer's glow
As far away and distant, our mutual time to grow.
Whoa, the sweet refrain! It soothes the soul and calms the pain.
Oh, Albion remains! Sleeping now to rise again.
Wandering the wanderings. What place to rest the search?
Where the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth!
Where the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth!
From the earth!
I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way.
I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way.
Where the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens from the earth!
02 For Your Life (06:24)
Well, well, oh, hoh, hoh
You said I was the only, with my lemon in your hand
Uh-oh, uh-oh-hoh
Exhibition is your habit, emotion second-hand
Uh-oh, uh-oh
Had to pull away to save me
Well, maybe next time around-a, oh
And she said
"Don'tcha want, a-don'tcha want cocaine, cocaine, cocaine"
Hadn't planned to, could not stand'a try it, fry it, ow
Now, now, now, now, yeah
Wooo-oooh-oooh-oooh-ooh-ooh
Heard a cry for mercy, uh, in the city of the damned-a
Uh-oh, baby, damn...
In the pits you go no lower, the next stop's underground
A-ho, how low underground
You wanna know, is it quite over
To fame it deals a losin' hand
And I said, "Didn't mean to, did not a-mean to fluff it
You didn't plan it, you overran it, aah-ha-ha-how, yeah"
Do you wanna, do you want, do ya, d-do
Do you, would you wanna
Do you wanna, do you wanna, do you, d-do
Do you, would you wanna
When you blow it, babe, you got to blow it right
Baby, if you fake it, mama, baby, fake with all your might
When you fake it, mama
please-a, a-fake it right for yourself, babe
When ya fa-fa-fa-fake it, baby
You're fakin' it for your life, for your life
for your life, for your life
Do you, do you, do you, do you, do you
Do you, would you wanna
Do you, do you, do you, do you, do you
Do you, would you wanna
Oh, like to help ya, baby
but I don't know what to do-ooh-ooh, yeah
Sometime, baby
Nothin' I can do-ooh-ooh, yeah
With the fine lines of the crystal payin' through your nose
And when they couldn't resist ya
I said, "Just go with the flow"
And now your stage is empty
Pull down the curtain, baby, please
Fold up your show
Hadn't planned to, could not stand to fry in it
I hadn't planned it, I overran it
Fry it for your life, for your life
03 Royal Orleans (02:59)
One time love, take care how you use it
Try to make it last all night, And if you take your pick
Be careful how you choose it, Sometimes its hard to feel it bite
Feel it bite.
A man I know, went down to Louisiana,
had himself a bad, bad fight
And when the sun peeked through
John Cameron with Suzanna,
He kissed the whiskers, left & right
Whiskers!
Now, now, now, fright subsides
Out at a hotel in the quarter, our friends check in to pass the night
Now love gets hot, but fire preceded water
Poor whiskers set the room alight.
Whiskers!
Down on Bourbon street, You know it's right
You can see my friend, they run around all through the night
Most everywhere, Until the closet's bare
Run for the razor, Doin' up my hair
New Orleans queens, Sure know how to schmooze it
Maybe for some that seems alright
When I step out, strut down with my sugar
She'd best not talk like Barry White!
One time love, take care how you use it
Try to make it last all night, And if you take your pick
Be careful how you choose it, Sometimes its hard to feel it bite
Feel it bite.
07 Tea for One (09:23)
How come twenty four hours, Baby sometimes seem to slip into days?
Oh twenty-four hours, Baby sometimes seem to slip into days
A minute seems like a lifetime, baby when I feel this way
Sittin, lookin at the clock, time moves so slow
I've been watchin for the hands to move
Until I just can't look no more
How come twenty four hours, Baby sometimes seems to slip into days?
A minute seems like a lifetime, Baby when I feel this way.
To sing a song for you, I recall you used to say
"Oh baby this one's for we two", Which in the end is you anyway
How come twenty four hours, Baby sometimes slip into days?
A minute seems like a lifetime, baby when I feel this way.
There was a time that I stood tall, In the eyes of other men
But by my own choice I left you woman, And now I can't get back again
How come twenty-four hours, sometimes slip into days?
A minute seems like a lifetime, Baby when I feel this way
A minute seems like a lifetime
When I feel this way...I feel this way
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Other reviews
By Antonino91
'Achilles Last Stand' is a masterpiece with perfectly balanced instruments and breathtaking drumming.
'Candy Store Rock' is the most negligible episode of the album, almost nauseating.
By Miki Page
'Achilles Last Stand' is a phenomenal hard-rock track that hits with intensity and power.
'Presence' is a good album, but not a masterpiece like the group’s previous 6 works.
By vellutogrigio
"Achilles Last Stand is one of the best tracks in the career of the four, with Page's guitar architecture supporting Plant's declamatory singing."
"Never had a Zeppelin track in the '70s been so straightforward, almost like an attack on the listener’s hearing, until it seemed the work of a debut group, well masked by veteran competence and craft."
By claudio carpentieri
"Achilles Last Stand throws us with the power of a tornado into this sonic monument where Page's heroic guitar leads the rest."
"Presence reflects a period far from happy for the band, with Plant’s presence in the studio in a wheelchair confirming its difficult gestation."
By Rax
"There will never be another album like this. Here it’s me facing despair and telling it: I am stronger than you."
If 'Presence' is the funeral of the Zeppelin, the terrible next album will be its tomb.
