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Product Description
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Presence is one of Led Zeppelin's more overlooked albums, languishing in the monstrous shadow of its predecessor, Physical Graffiti. It's more noted in Zeppelin mythology for the circumstances in which it was recorded, in double-quick time with vocalist Robert Plant's leg in plaster after a car accident. The lack of time does show--much of the album feels like generic heavy rock, bigger on volume than variety. It's worth the price of the album, however, for the ten and a half minute long "Achilles Last Stand", a crashing, galloping epic with John Bonham sounding like he's eschewed drumsticks in favour of tree trunks--and "Nobody's Fault But Mine", a Blind Willie Johnson blues standard regenerated with a 3000-watt boost by Jimmy Page. Led Zeppelin's contribution to rock was primarily physical--raising its heat and density levels, heightening its sensual force. --David Stubbs
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Cd > Popular Music > RockCD > POPULAR MUSIC > ROCK
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This in my view is one of the most underrated Led Zep albums. There are no acoustic sets to balance the hard driving rock, apart from perhaps the blues 'Tea for One' (an 'electric' acoustic blues) and the feel throughout is dark and subdued (despite the very heavy dense sound). There is little of the varied texture of their earlier albums here - each track seems to be characterised by the band playing at full volume together as a unit. The standout track is obviously Achilles Last Stand, a rock song of almost operatic proportions with a full and slightly unearthly sound from Page's guitar.
I would urge listeners new to Zep (there must be some?) to check this album out. Considering what was going on musically at the time of its release (1976 - funk/disco and very early punk) this now stands the test of time. Try and approach the album without any of the preconceptions associated with this band (heavy metal? - never been sure what that means). To me this album has always sounded like what Led Zep would have become if we had not tragically lost Bonzo and the band had continued into the 1980s. Listen to some of the riffs on Nobodys Fault But Mine and you hear Nirvana with a blues guitar; very definitely a looking ahead album despite all the sorrow surrounding its release.
I would urge listeners new to Zep (there must be some?) to check this album out. Considering what was going on musically at the time of its release (1976 - funk/disco and very early punk) this now stands the test of time. Try and approach the album without any of the preconceptions associated with this band (heavy metal? - never been sure what that means). To me this album has always sounded like what Led Zep would have become if we had not tragically lost Bonzo and the band had continued into the 1980s. Listen to some of the riffs on Nobodys Fault But Mine and you hear Nirvana with a blues guitar; very definitely a looking ahead album despite all the sorrow surrounding its release.
42 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
On the majority, Zeppelin aficionados will forever single out "IV" and "Physical Graffiti" as being the landmark Led Zeppelin albums. Indeed they are, but "Presence" is my personal favourite. OK, it doesn't have the musical range and diversity of "Physical Graffiti" but I feel this Zep album is the most consistent in content. It is a true hard rock album with no frills - every member plays a blinder (as per usual), but most notably Page and Bonham. "Achilles Last Stand", "For Your Life", "Nobody's Fault But Mine" and "Tea For One" (chilled blues at its best) are the absolute stand out tracks for me. "Presence" is the true back-to-basics Zeppelin. I highly recommended this album to anyone.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I had heard some of the other Zeppelin albums before the release of Presence but I did not get into the earlier stuff until I had played Presence to death. I can even remember where the scratches were on my vinyl disc.
Presence has always been my favorite Zeppelin album and I love if because of the rawness which is partly due to the rush to get it recorded so that they could let Mick Jagger and co have access to the Abba studios they were using. Presence has an energy normally associated with early works of bands who end up adding strings and choirs to later projects.
Prior to its release I believe its pre sale orders guaranteed it a high chart entry but I was surprised to learn that Presence found its way into the bargain bins not long after.
The Beatles White Album is now recognised as one of their best but for a long time it was not often played or known of among the record buying public. Presence had a similar history the proof of this was at the O2 gig when they played For Your Life (my favourite from Presence) and some people thought it was a brand new song.
I guess that is the magic of Presence because even after all these years it still sounds fresh, new and edgy.
Presence has always been my favorite Zeppelin album and I love if because of the rawness which is partly due to the rush to get it recorded so that they could let Mick Jagger and co have access to the Abba studios they were using. Presence has an energy normally associated with early works of bands who end up adding strings and choirs to later projects.
Prior to its release I believe its pre sale orders guaranteed it a high chart entry but I was surprised to learn that Presence found its way into the bargain bins not long after.
The Beatles White Album is now recognised as one of their best but for a long time it was not often played or known of among the record buying public. Presence had a similar history the proof of this was at the O2 gig when they played For Your Life (my favourite from Presence) and some people thought it was a brand new song.
I guess that is the magic of Presence because even after all these years it still sounds fresh, new and edgy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By yerblues
Format:Audio CD
Having got into Zeppelin at the time of Physical Graffiti, i was greatly excited with the news of the impending release of their next album. But when Presence finally came out in Spring 1976 I was pretty disappointed. I quite liked Achilles but I didnt think that or the other songs matched up to their previous works..Perhaps I was too young to appreciate the change of sound - Presence doesn't really sound like any other Zeppelin album even now.. Despite the guitar overdubs, the sound is still quite basic and stripped down and maybe that was the problem?
Fast forward 30 odd years and I've just purchased Presence again on CD this time. Either my musical tastes have broadened or the CD sounds far better than the vinyl ever did (no longer have the LP to compare)-I'm not sure. All I know is that I now love this album. There's rock, blues, rockabilly, funk. The key tracks for me are Achilles Last Stand, For your Life, Nobody's Fault but Mine and Tea for one. The other tracks are also excellent and as I listen more to this album they are definite growers. 'Tea for One' is a beautiful slow smouldering blues that perhaps owes more to Peter Green's 'Love to Burn' than the oft compared 'Since I've been loving you' from the third album. Jimmy Page's guitar work throughout is incredible. Listen to his solo in Achilles for example. And just listen to those drums. Bonham really was the best. All the band are on top form. Robert Plant recorded his vocals from a wheelchair following a near fatal accident in the summer of 1975. His singing does at times sound more subdued than usual but the vocals fit perfectly to the songs.
Although Presence doesn't quite reach the standard of Graffiti or indeed maybe some of the earlier albums, it is still a majestic album and certainly worth purchasing. Read more ›
Fast forward 30 odd years and I've just purchased Presence again on CD this time. Either my musical tastes have broadened or the CD sounds far better than the vinyl ever did (no longer have the LP to compare)-I'm not sure. All I know is that I now love this album. There's rock, blues, rockabilly, funk. The key tracks for me are Achilles Last Stand, For your Life, Nobody's Fault but Mine and Tea for one. The other tracks are also excellent and as I listen more to this album they are definite growers. 'Tea for One' is a beautiful slow smouldering blues that perhaps owes more to Peter Green's 'Love to Burn' than the oft compared 'Since I've been loving you' from the third album. Jimmy Page's guitar work throughout is incredible. Listen to his solo in Achilles for example. And just listen to those drums. Bonham really was the best. All the band are on top form. Robert Plant recorded his vocals from a wheelchair following a near fatal accident in the summer of 1975. His singing does at times sound more subdued than usual but the vocals fit perfectly to the songs.
Although Presence doesn't quite reach the standard of Graffiti or indeed maybe some of the earlier albums, it is still a majestic album and certainly worth purchasing. Read more ›
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By HugoB
Format:Audio CD
I've listened to Zep for years, and this was the very last of the all the albums I bought. Big mistake. Disregard any nonsense you read about Presence being the start of the rot ... it's a funky, rock solid little masterpiece that kicks Physical Graffiti's flabby derriere firmly into touch. It's the final refinement of the side of Zep that is all about fusing heavy rock and groove based music. If I had a top 10 of underrrated albums, this would feature high on the list. An absolute gem.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quality.
I seem to be at odds with most other led zep fans II, IV and physical graffiti largely pass me by. I prefer I and III and this as their strongest and most consistent albums. Read more
Published 2 months ago by BBBM
5.0 out of 5 stars
concentrated essence of rock
This is Zeppelin's anti-matter album. When they recorded Physical Graffiti they were at the height of their dominance, kings of the world; here, only a year later, the band has... Read more
Published 2 months ago by gille liath
4.0 out of 5 stars
Probably their last good album
It's a good album overall with one great hit: "Achilles last stand". It is worth buying this album for this song alone: it is as good as the best of their previous album,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mauro
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational album
My original vinyl copy apears to have transmographied into a theme for a not so short story I've written that needs a bit more work on it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Robert Reynolds
4.0 out of 5 stars
Coo-el
Not the greatest album they've produced but still pretty good, still a must for Zep fans to add to their collections.
Published 6 months ago by Gary Wishart
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album
After hearing this Album on a radio programme I just had to buy it, another great Album by Led Zepplin, I have not found anything I do not really like by them, nice long blues... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. S. N. Ford
4.0 out of 5 stars
One for the fans...
This is one of those records that fans love leaving the less enamoured wondering what all the fuss is about. Read more
Published 9 months ago by os
4.0 out of 5 stars
Underated
Great album. Many songs much more pared down and bluesy, but still producing epic an sound-scape in Achilles Last Stand, not dissimilar to Kashmir's grandeur. Play loud.
Published 9 months ago by kippy
5.0 out of 5 stars
birthday present
this arrived quicker than expected. To replace an old cd that has been lost somewhere for my husband's birthday. Read more
Published 9 months ago by ****
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heavy rock at its best
I guess I expect anything by 'Zep to be thrilling and to take me back to the days of free festivals, drugs and rock and roll and this album was no disappointment
Published 10 months ago by Mr. G. F. Crane
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