Led Zeppelin’s third album is usually not talked about with the same reverence as the rest of their first four albums. Admittedly, having an entire second side devoted to acoustic, folk-inspired songs would not be the most appealing idea in the world to me either, but somehow, the band managed to find a way to make it work. ‘Led Zeppelin III’ might just feature feature what is Robert Plant’s finest recorded vocal performance to date, while the hard rock and blues songs are all superb. It definitely is a departure from the first two albums, but also a clear step forward compositionally.

What Led Zeppelin does very well here is let their mastery of dynamics take over. A side full of acoustic songs could easily become dull to their more rock-minded audience, but all songs explore a different side of the folk spectrum, accounting for a highly entertaining set of songs that can hold the listeners’ attention quite well. Their interpretation of ‘Gallow Pole’ is quite energetic, especially in the way it gradually ramps up the tempo, and easily the most American-sounding of the bunch along with the raw country blues of ‘Hats Off To (Roy) Harper’. ‘Bron-Y-Aur Stomp’ is rhythmically forward as well.

The crowning achievement of the acoustic side of the record, however, is ‘That’s The Way’. Having an English rock band record a folky ballad that wasn’t a love song was not one of the most common thing those days and the personal nature of the track really appeals to me. The little additions, such as the lap steel and mandolin, are nice, but the song leans heavily on Jimmy Page’s acoustic guitar strums and a surprisingly understated vocal performance by Plant. It’s a song that seemed like it would not have worked on paper, but as it stands, it is one of Led Zeppelin’s best ballads, if not the best.

For those preferring a louder Led Zeppelin, there’s opening track ‘Immigrant Song’. Renowned for its blunt main riff and Plant’s banshee wails, the song actually features some nifty touches, such as John Paul Jones’ incredible busy bass lines and punishing sound, as well as Plant carrying the dynamics almost exclusively with his voice. ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’ is Led Zeppelin at its bluesiest, but it’s simply an excellent slow blues with a climactic build-up. ‘Out On The Tiles’ is probably the heaviest song acter ‘Immigrant Song’, while the rolling rhythm of the main riff in ‘Celebration Day’ is not exactly heavy, but brutally effective.

Only ‘Friends’ initially seems like a strange inclusion on the first side, as it features Page playing acoustic guitar exclusively. Since it is clearly more riff-based than chord strumming, however, it isn’t out of place at all. In addition, the eerie atmosphere of the track makes it a unique highlight in Led Zeppelin history and one of my favorite Robert Plant vocal lines ever. It’s also quite fitting for an album that attempts to blend loud, bluesy rock sounds and folky roots that there is a song that has both. And while I think the album would have worked even better dynamically if the tracks were mixed up a little more, I actually prefer it to the second Led Zeppelin album, possibly even the first.

Recommended tracks: ‘Immigrant Song’, ‘Friends’, ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’, ‘That’s The Way’