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Led Zeppelin: III (1970) 
Reviewer: sky_pink | See all reviews by sky_pink
Section: Reviews
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Ok, this is a tricky one: you may very well love Led Zeppelin and dislike this album or be a Zeppelin-hater who thinks this album is the only decent thing they ever made. (Or you may love both Zep and this album, as I do...)
Before listening to this album for the first time years ago I only knew three of the songs on it: ‘Immigrant Song’, ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’ and ‘Tangerine’. The songs are not very alike, so I sort of expected the album to be compilation-like (different moods & different songs that have nothing to do with each other). Oh boy, was I wrong! First of all, I feel I should point out it’s only natural not to be very keen on this album (or even dislike it) the first few times you listen to it. This album is an acquired taste not because it is weird, but because it sounds very unlike the usual Zeppelin stuff. Guys, this is Led Zeppelin doing FOLK, and don’t tell me you were ready for it!
Actually, it shouldn’t have come as that much of a surprise. After all, Zeppelin delved into different areas of music: blues rock, hard rock, even reggae, so folk rock might even be expected. But have you ever heard of passionate folk rock? I’m betting you haven’t (maybe because I just made that word combination up, but nevertheless...), and Zeppelin delivered just that in III.
Although some critics consider this album to be very much underrated and some even call it their favourite Zep album, most reviews are very harsh and can traditionally be shortened to one sentence: ‘This album is boring.’ The reason for this probably is the firm (unconscious) belief that if a band is good at something, they should not try to do anything else, which is why critics don’t even give the album a chance. Most bands get called ‘sell-outs’ for trying anything that is considered to be ‘out of their league’, and I guess that only the fact that there is nothing even remotely commercial here (save maybe the ever-so-popular ‘Immigrant Song’) saves Zep from sharing the same fate.
III is partly acoustic, which makes me wish for more acoustic stuff. Make no mistake, I love Zeppelin both plugged and unplugged, but using an acoustic guitar means less rocking and more feeling, which is probably why I find this album very, well, inspiring... yeah, that’s exactly the right word. Inspiring.
Best songs: ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’, ‘Gallow’s Pole’, ‘That’s The Way’, ‘Hats Off To (Roy) Harper’
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Visitor Comments about Led Zeppelin: III (1970)
Posted by Terje the Norwegian on 2005-05-06 18:20:09
My Score:
Comment: I knew the critics for this album were bad. But I''ve liked it from the first, second, third .... listenings back in 1971. Bought I have lost it along the way - and bought the wonderful !vinyl and original cover! again this spring. ITS BRILLIANT ITS BRILLIANT ITS BRILLIANT - Thank you Linda and Paul. Its rocks and rules and make me cry - and Smile Away!!!!
loonerx@hoymail.com
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Posted by Chris on 2005-02-27 17:00:21
My Score:
Comment: Zep III is excellent- as i appreciate acoustic guitar more and more Zep III gets better and better-
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Posted by Kyle on 2004-09-23 23:12:10
My Score:
Comment: This album is fantastic. I''m 14, and most of the kids my age don''t know good music. But some do. And I know many kids my age who like Led Zeppelin. It''s my favorite band ever. I love pink floyd, and the stones n all, but nothin compares to Led. This is a great album. They have good rock songs like Immigrant song, and celebration day. But they also break it up with some fantastic achostic guitar. GO JIMMY PAGE. Robert Plant is fantastic along with the others.
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Posted by Jim on 2002-11-12 07:02:15
My Score:
Comment: I disagree with this being such a "love or hate" type album, this album is one of the most warmly recieved Zeppelin albums i''ve found. Agreed, it was a probably a little confusing to critics and listeners alike upon it''s release, but it''s come to pass over the years that it was a natural progression for the band.
I mean there''s plenty of evidence on the first two albums of their folk leanings, ("Black Mountainside", "Babe I''m Gonna Leave You", "Ramble On"), so it''s no great surprise that they took those tasters to their logical conclusion on III.
Being a avid "Led-Head", I naturally love this album, right from the wonderful gatefold sleeve, designed by Richard Drew, through to the unique warm feel of the songs, which was a triumph for Jimmy Page as a producer.
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Posted by Moth on 2002-11-03 12:05:44
My Score: 
Comment: Overrated piece of crap.
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Posted by orange93 on 2002-08-10 22:32:25
My Score:
Comment: yes, i think that it WAS a VERY underated album. Lots of bands try out new things so why shouldn''t they?
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Posted by moorison hotel on 2002-08-10 01:04:05
My Score:
Comment: quite a classy review, such a great band i believe their needs to be more talk about this band it seems they''re always taking a backseat to the stones. Zep had an acumulation of musicians that to this day has never been matched. Get this album Tangerine is great
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Posted by Krystle on 2002-08-04 19:06:29
My Score:
Comment: Wonderful analysis doc! :-) I love Led Zeppelin, they are my favorite band. I love to rock, but being brought up on some folk/bluegrass music (thanks to my dad), III kinda brings it all together. III showed that Zep is about music, not about Zep, because they love all music and get into it all.
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Posted by Mike on 2002-08-02 14:27:41
My Score:
Comment: Great review! Led Zeppelin III is probably my favorite LZ album, maybe my favorite album ever. Not many people like the change in direction on the album or all the acoustics. But you hit the nail on the head when you stated it''s more about feeling than rocking. High or straight, it''s a beautiful, moving piece of work!
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