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Led Zeppelin: Houses of the Holy (Atlantic)

Steven Rosen, Music World, June 1973

WHO WOULD have thought that Led Zeppelin would have followed up their rocking fourth album with a clunker like Houses Of The Holy? The fourth album was a synthesis of several elements: driving rock lines placed over tasteful melodies; clever combinations of electric-acoustic instruments; and powerful (but not extravagant) vocals. Houses, on the other hand is a complete turn-a-round. There should have been a warning sticker on the jacket that read: "Contents of this album 100 per cent re-cycled."

Total word count of piece: 387

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