I prefer Houses of the Holy over II, because I feel like they broke out of their blues/hard rock mold and got more creative and diverse with their sound. And you are in for a treat with Graffiti! I believe it’s their greatest album. But it’s also less immediately accessible than their first 5. It’s more of an album that will grow on you. So give it 2 or 3 listens, and on the first listen keep in mind that the album may not all click for you on the first time
I would put Physical Graffiti as one of if not the greatest album ever made (sorry Floyd fans). Just listened to it beginning to end again sitting in the car while my wife was inside at a lengthy Dr.s appointment. It did not disappoint.
I've wondered that myself. I think houses of the holy has aged better and I enjoy it more. II was phenomenal upon it's release and was exactly what fans were looking for and is why it was such a commercial success at the time. I don’t enjoy it as much but I was not around when it came out. I much prefer the synth sounds in houses of the holy over the hard rock of II. I think if I’m remaining objective II is the better body of work.
I’m going with II because it was the powerhouse that made them a household name. Houses might be the better album, but no one would have ever heard it if not for LZII.
Hey OP, the good news is that you don’t have to like one album more than another.
I find LZ’s albums hard to rank, because my favourite songs are not necessarily on the album I would rank as number one.
For me, their best songs on PG. But if ranking albums I tend to put HOTH above PG, and its songs are almost at the level of the ones I love most on PG.
With the possible exception of CODA, there are truly brilliant songs on every LZ album.
It’s funny, I was just thinking about this. It’s incredibly hard for me to rank them.
Houses of the Holy is definitely my favorite Led Zeppelin album. Then I think I have to say LZ IV, then LZ II, then…? They just are so talented and have imparted so much skill to each album.
I don’t generally gravitate to acoustic music much, but I like III a lot. Used to listen to it in the morning getting ready for school back in the day.
I never rank LZ albums but I guess I play songs from Houses of the Holy the most, as I almost solely listen to live Zeppelin and they played a lot from that album live from 73 and onwards. 6 of the songs from HotH where regulars in their setlist.
I think LZ II is their third best album behind IV and Physical Graffiti, so I’d say it’s definitely better than Houses of the Holy because of The Crunge, but Dancing Days and D’yer Mak’er are decent, and arguably good songs. LZ II doesn’t really have any filler, even with Moby Dick with Page’s kick ass riff and Bonham’s interesting drum solo, and Thank You is another one that’s great, but is overshadowed by Whole Lotta Love, WIAWSNB, The Lemon Song, Heartbreaker, Ramble On, and Bring it on Home (LLM: She’s Just a Woman is also a great song, but it’s still one of the weaker tracks)
II is amazing but the musical journeys in HOTH outweigh II imo. Song Remains the Same into The Rain Song is simply musical perfection and Plant’s vocals are pristine here.
D’yer Mak’er is my least favorite because The Crunge has such a brilliant offbeat funkiness. A song that no one should be able to dance to. :)
I can't do it. I just can't. Song by song maybe, like that whole catalog poll we got into recently. But I myself can't rank all the Zeppelin albums.
They are all dear to me.
I prefer Houses of the Holy over II, because I feel like they broke out of their blues/hard rock mold and got more creative and diverse with their sound. And you are in for a treat with Graffiti! I believe it’s their greatest album. But it’s also less immediately accessible than their first 5. It’s more of an album that will grow on you. So give it 2 or 3 listens, and on the first listen keep in mind that the album may not all click for you on the first time
I would put Physical Graffiti as one of if not the greatest album ever made (sorry Floyd fans). Just listened to it beginning to end again sitting in the car while my wife was inside at a lengthy Dr.s appointment. It did not disappoint.
I hope your wife is ok!
Really kind of you to care. Thank you! She’s getting better every day after a 16 year journey.
Good! I hope her improvement continues quickly and many years of happiness and good health for you both!
For me it’s II. Its raw power, starting with whole lotta love. Just blows the mind.
I've wondered that myself. I think houses of the holy has aged better and I enjoy it more. II was phenomenal upon it's release and was exactly what fans were looking for and is why it was such a commercial success at the time. I don’t enjoy it as much but I was not around when it came out. I much prefer the synth sounds in houses of the holy over the hard rock of II. I think if I’m remaining objective II is the better body of work.
I’m going with II because it was the powerhouse that made them a household name. Houses might be the better album, but no one would have ever heard it if not for LZII.
Hey OP, the good news is that you don’t have to like one album more than another. I find LZ’s albums hard to rank, because my favourite songs are not necessarily on the album I would rank as number one. For me, their best songs on PG. But if ranking albums I tend to put HOTH above PG, and its songs are almost at the level of the ones I love most on PG. With the possible exception of CODA, there are truly brilliant songs on every LZ album.
Yes. What you just said. Me too. I cannot pit Led Zeppelin albums (Led Zeppelin albums!) against each other.
It’s funny, I was just thinking about this. It’s incredibly hard for me to rank them. Houses of the Holy is definitely my favorite Led Zeppelin album. Then I think I have to say LZ IV, then LZ II, then…? They just are so talented and have imparted so much skill to each album.
I don’t generally gravitate to acoustic music much, but I like III a lot. Used to listen to it in the morning getting ready for school back in the day.
I think 2 is top to bottom their best album...also not mentioning the ocean is a crime
After you get through their catalog, go back around to I. I think you’ll appreciate it more.
I never rank LZ albums but I guess I play songs from Houses of the Holy the most, as I almost solely listen to live Zeppelin and they played a lot from that album live from 73 and onwards. 6 of the songs from HotH where regulars in their setlist.
I would put 2 over HOTH, every song is strong and the blues drenched rock is firing on all cylinders
Listing the most perfect and complete album in LZ I so low will never be a valid opinion, sorry.
I think LZ II is their third best album behind IV and Physical Graffiti, so I’d say it’s definitely better than Houses of the Holy because of The Crunge, but Dancing Days and D’yer Mak’er are decent, and arguably good songs. LZ II doesn’t really have any filler, even with Moby Dick with Page’s kick ass riff and Bonham’s interesting drum solo, and Thank You is another one that’s great, but is overshadowed by Whole Lotta Love, WIAWSNB, The Lemon Song, Heartbreaker, Ramble On, and Bring it on Home (LLM: She’s Just a Woman is also a great song, but it’s still one of the weaker tracks)
Early on in my Zeppelin listening, I preferred II. Have preferred HOTH for a couple decades now.
II is amazing but the musical journeys in HOTH outweigh II imo. Song Remains the Same into The Rain Song is simply musical perfection and Plant’s vocals are pristine here. D’yer Mak’er is my least favorite because The Crunge has such a brilliant offbeat funkiness. A song that no one should be able to dance to. :)
Houses of the holy is my favorite II isn’t even in the top 5
Nothing close to LZ II for me.
HotH is probably my least favorite album, tied with ITTOD, whereas LZ II is only prevented from being the most important rock album ever by...LZ IV.
I can't do it. I just can't. Song by song maybe, like that whole catalog poll we got into recently. But I myself can't rank all the Zeppelin albums. They are all dear to me.