Mid-Month Missive - Led Zeppelin - March 2025
“you know sometimes words have two meanings”
OK! Hello Gang 👋
Welcome to the Mid-Month Missive for March. This month we’re listening to Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin*, the 1971 juggernaut of an album that has sold over 37 million copies.
We hope you enjoyed the February episode, Remain in Light by Talking Heads, and that you’re up to date and have listened to our Intro episode for this month, too.
We’ve got some big news from my co-host Tom and a couple of recommendations at the end but first, let’s get into LZ IV…
It is coincidental but excellent timing that the film ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ is currently out in cinemas. You have to search to find a showing and it looks like the initial Imax release is over but I intend to go on Saturday when it is on in York.
Let’s see which track wins the McCartney in Goal podcast for this album. Spoiler in the footnotes (look away now if you don’t want to know the score)**
I like Abigail Devoe’s Vinyl Monday reviews. She has a certain ‘style’ and it might not be for you but here’s her Led Zeppelin IV episode. “The band at the zenith of their hero’s journey”.
This month, let’s have a full Led Zeppelin tier list from Anthony Fantano.
And finally a video from Middle 8 titled ‘How Led Zeppelin Made Their Fourth Album’***
A short and simple review from the BBC to open this section.
Here’s the original 1971 review from Rolling Stone - “an album which is remarkable for its low-keyed and tasteful subtlety”.
And finally, Reddit at its best can be a great place to read a debate about whether IV is Led Zeppelin’s best.
Next month we’ve picked a fresh five albums for you to choose from. Vote and let us know which of Bjork, Eurythmics, D’Angelo, Beyonce and Joni Mitchell you want.
The poll is now open and here’s the LINK
As promised, we’ve got some big Tom Figgins news to bring you, he’s been working on a soundtrack for the game Earthborne Rangers, it’s brilliant**** and available on Bandcamp now. If you like your music cinematic then this is for you. For a preview, Tom was on the Earthborne podcast last week.
I’ve got a couple of recommendations for you too this month.
I watched the Disney+ documentary on Sly Stone this week. Directed by Questlove***** it is well worth your time especially if, like me, Sly is a hero of yours. Sly Lives.
Snapped Ankles played The Crescent (great venue) in York this week, I’m loving their recent releases and their further embrace of the dance element of their sound. Whilst we wait for the album Hard Times Furious Dancing to be released later this month, the single Pay The Rent is worth your time.
That leaves us with one thing to say - No Skipping, No Shuffling.
Paul and Tom
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* I have to google the name every time to check whether it is two Ps or two Ls.
** It’s When The Levee Breaks
*** I’m now halfway through the newsletter and I’ve got to grips with the speeling.
**** I may be biased but it is genuinely my work soundtrack now.
***** Also watch Summer of Soul if you haven’t already!