"Oh let the sun beat down upon my cast, with pods to fill my dream . . . "

At the peak of their popularity in the mid-70's, Led Zeppelin retreated to Headley Grange once again. The goal was to write enough songs for a new record, but they came up with more than could fit on one LP. The solution? Dig back into the vaults and put out a sprawling double album.

Physical Graffiti was met with near-unanimous critical praise and huge sales numbers. Featuring epics like "Kashmir" and "In My Time of Dying", rockers like "Trampled Underfoot" and "The Wanton Song", and enjoyable filler sprinkled throughout, the sprawling 2-LP set finds Zeppelin at both their most focused and adventurous.

CHAPTERS:

Intro (00:00:00)

Background (Recording, Production, Cover Art) (00:25:00)

Custard Pie (00:47:20)

The Rover (00:53:16)

In My Time of Dying (00:58:15)

Houses of the Holy (01:01:35)

Trampled Underfoot (01:06:36)

Kashmir (01:14:43)

Year in Review: 1975 (01:18:55)

In the Light (01:28:00)

Bron-Yr-Aur (01:36:00)

Down By the Seaside (01:37:50)

Ten Years Gone (01:43:50)

Night Flight (01:49:20)

The Wanton Song (01:55:10)

Boogie With Stu (01:58:10)

Black Country Woman (02:00:10)

Sick Again (02:02:38)

Reception (Critical, Commercial) (02:08:35)

Categories (Spiciest Biscuit, Dustiest Crumpet, Etc.) (02:08:50)

"Yes, there are two casts you can go by, but in the long run - there's still time to change the pod you're on . . . "

IV, Zoso, Four Symbols . . . whatever you call it, Led Zeppelin's fourth album is ubiquitous with rock music. After the mixed reception to their third album, the band was on a mission to put out their best work yet. They hunkered down at Headley Grange, a creaky mansion in the English countryside, and produced an LP that would go on to become one of the biggest selling of all-time.

Unlike its predecessor, Led Zeppelin IV received near-universal praise. "Stairway to Heaven" became a timeless classic, perfectly melding the band's acoustic and electric sensibilities. "When the Levee Breaks" transformed an old blues record into an otherworldly sonic trip. "Black Dog", "Rock and Roll", "Misty Mountain Hop", "Going to California" . . . all staples of classic rock radio. With their fourth release, Zeppelin firmly established themselves as the biggest band of the 1970s.

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CHAPTERS:

Introduction (00:00)

Background (Recording, Production, Cover Art, Historical Context) (26:00)

Black Dog (53:22)

Rock and Roll (01:06:17)

The Battle of Evermore (01:15:14)

Stairway to Heaven (01:24:25)

Misty Mountain Hop (01:46:23)

Four Sticks (01:56:07)

Going to California (02:03:53)

When the Levee Breaks (02:12:45)

Reception (Critical, Commercial) (02:28:46)

Categories (Spiciest Biscuit, Dustiest Crumpet, etc.) (02:39:33)

Billboard Game (03:08:22)

"The hammer of the gods will drive our pods to new casts . . . "

Within two years of its formation, Led Zeppelin had become the biggest rock band in the world. Instead of following up their second album with more of the same, Jimmy Page and Co. made a sharp left turn with their third LP, placing undeniable riffs like "Immigrant Song" and "Out on the Tiles" alongside acoustic numbers like "Gallows Pole" and "That's the Way".

Upon its release, Led Zeppelin III confused critics and fans alike. The mostly-acoustic Side B, while hinted at in the first two albums, seemed like a radical departure. Yet, the passage of time has seen a critical reappraisal, firmly placing the LP alongside the band's very best.

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CHAPTERS:

Introduction (00:00)

Background (Recording, Production, Cover Art, Historical Context) (22:00)

Immigrant Song (38:22)

Friends (58:46)

Celebration Day (01:15:25)

Since I've Been Loving You (01:27:18)

Out on the Tiles (01:46:00)

Gallows Pole (01:53:30)

Tangerine (02:04:55)

That's the Way (02:10:00)

Bron-Y-Aur Stomp / Hats Off to (Roy) Harper (02:14:30)

Reception (Critical, Commercial) (02:37:18)

Categories (Spiciest Biscuit, Dustiest Crumpet, etc.) (02:41:10)

Billboard Game (03:07:35)

"Squeeze me, baby, 'til the pod runs down my cast . . . "

Like the German bombardiers depicted on its sepia-toned cover, Led Zeppelin II blitzed onto millions of turntables in October 1969. Mike Carpenter and Ben Yates continue their deep dive into the band's discography, dropping the needle on the nine-track album featuring Zeppelin's only top-ten single "Whole Lotta Love", along with other classics like "Heartbreaker" and "Ramble On".

Recorded in fits and starts during a frenetic summer touring schedule, Led Zeppelin II set the blueprint for what a hard rock record should sound like. Jimmy Page's iconic riffs, Robert Plant's banshee wailing, John Bonham's thunderous drums, and John Paul Jones' nimble bass playing stunned listeners and established them as the next biggest band in the world.

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CHAPTERS:

Introduction (00:00)

Background (Recording, Production, Cover Art, Historical Context) (24:50)

Whole Lotta Love (47:35)

What Is and What Should Never Be (01:05:05)

The Lemon Song (01:13:30)

Thank You (01:27:25)

Heartbreaker (01:33:55)

Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman) (01:44:35)

Ramble On (01:48:24)

Moby Dick (01:59:33)

Bring it On Home (02:06:50)

Reception (Critical, Commercial) (02:14:05)

Categories (Spiciest Biscuit, Dustiest Crumpet, etc.) (02:19:00)

Billboard Game (02:52:10)

"In the days of our youth, we were told what it means to pod a cast . . . "

In January 1969, Led Zeppelin crashed into record stores with their seminal debut album. Mike Carpenter and Ben Yates begin their deep dive into the band's discography, dropping the needle on the nine-track LP featuring classic rock radio staples like "Good Times Bad Times" and "Dazed and Confused".

Recorded just a month after the band's formation over a mere 36 hours of studio time, it introduced the world to the combined talents of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones. Led Zeppelin I laid the foundation for what was to come, while growing in stature over the years as a bona fide classic on its own.

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Drop the Needleheads is a music podcast focusing on rock's greatest artists. Mike Carpenter (Schmiggy) and Ben Yates (Yahtzee) take deep dives into the discographies of their favorite musicians, devoting an episode to each album. Join them as the records spin, the bourbon flows, and the breakdowns are deeper than John Bonham's bass drum.