Physical Graffiti

This is the only album I would take to a deserted island (if I could only take one).

I like this record in the sense of it's length and classical leanings (namely Baroque), but it's production value is something to be desired. On the majority of the tracks Bonham's drums lack the strong "thump" that I've grown so accustomed to. They are on the edge of being demos. One positive note: "In the Light" is probably the most underrated Zep songs, so that alone is grounds for a purchase.

I think every one of the original Zeppelin albums (and the live ones as well) has reviewers calling it "the best Led Zeppelin" album. I'm gonna go with the nameless one any day, followed closely by "Live at the BBC" and "How the West was Won".
But this big, sprawling double album is really a must-have as well, as are the vast majority of Zeppelin's 70s albums. It's the "usual" blend, I suppose, of blues, folk, rock n' roll and a little bit of funk and soul, generally heavy on the electric blues, but with a couple of utterly charming acoustic numbers as well.

There is perhaps nothing here as monumental as "Stairway" or as long-lasting as "Black Dog" or "Whole Lotta Love", even though the majestic 8½-minute "Kashmir" features a riff that will allow you get to rid of any other song that has gotten stuck in your head. But the overall quality of the material is very, very high.
It's hard, in fact, to think of another rock or blues record with this many distinctive guitar riffs; the entire first disc is dripping with heavy blues and rock n' roll riffs and thumping drums. And while the second disc may be a little less consistent, opening with two minutes of hideous synth, it nevertheless features plenty of terrific blues-rock and some lovely acoustic forays. Titles like "Night Flight", "Boogie with Stu" and "Black Country Woman" may not be the most immediately recognizable, but they're among Zep's most infectious blooze-n-boogie-grinds.
"Physical Graffiti" is a monument, one of the most epic double studio albums of the 70s, right up there with "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs", and bested only, perhaps, by the Stones' unrivalled "Exile on Main Street".

BEST ZEPPELIN ALBUM! THIS IS A SAMPLER PLATE OF EVERYTHING LED ZEPPELIN DID WELL; HARD ROCK, BLUES, ACOUSTIC, BALLADS. IF I COULD ONLY HAVE ONE ZEPPELIN ALBUM, THIS WOULD BE THE ONE! ROCK ON!

The quality of the individual song may not be up to Led Zeppelin 1,2, or 4, but the diversity, indulgence, and inspiration make it just as interesting, good, and ultimatly the most entertaining. The essential Led Zeppelin album.

Note. People one gave this or other Led Zeppelin/Jimi Hendrix/Pink Floyd/Beatles etc, albums one star often listen to foreigner and mention it in their comments. What does this tell you? Foreigner, Genesis, and Yes stink and people who listen to them have no taste. If you want a better progressive group, go to pretty much any other band.