The All-TIME 100 Albums: Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin

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The All-TIME 100 Albums

66 of 101

By Josh Tyrangiel Published: November 13, 2006

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ALBUM: Led Zeppelin IV (a.k.a. Zoso)

YEAR RELEASED: 1971 LABEL: Wea International ARTIST: Led Zeppelin

TIME 100 ALBUMS PODCASTS

PODCAST: Welcome to the All-TIME 100 Albums - the musical compilations of the last half-century that need no introduction. That said, listen in below as music critics Josh Tyrangiel and Alan Light introduce the list and talk about the top albums of the 1950s and '60s.

PODCAST: We know. Twenty-nine of the 100 greatest albums of all time come in the 1970s, and Pink Floyd isn't there. Play this podcast to learn why we picked the titles we did, and if you have something to say, tell us about it using the talkback link below.

PODCAST: Maybe it's a Sign O' The Times that you're listening to critics' audio recordings about great music, but this podcast about how we chose the best albums of the 1980s really is a Thriller. Give it a listen below.

PODCAST: Here's music even the younger set will know by heart. Listen to selected clips from the 1990s through present day as music critic Josh Tyrangiel discusses his picks.

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Titles? We don't need no stinkin' titles! Guitarist Jimmy Page, no doubt in a moment of complete sobriety, wanted to see if Led Zeppelin's music could sell itself, so the band's name, as well as all other words, were struck from the album cover. Instead, each member picked an occult symbol representing their mystical identity to appear on the LP's spine. Why? Because it was 1971. Enough fragrant air has been exhaled about "Stairway to Heaven" (which was never released as a single and thus never appeared on the Billboard charts) for several lifetimes, but "Going to California" is the best thing they ever played at a pace below 'manic,' "Rock and Roll" is the best thing they ever played above 'manic' and "When the Levee Breaks" is their most convincing blues. Just call it Zeppelin's greatest record.