Everything works fine here, even the unusual combination of several easy mostly acoustic songs flavoured with folk and some bluesy touches, surrounded by two premier space rock anthems, the opening "One of These Days" and the epic "Echoes", makes much sense and offers more than a pleasant and adventurous listening. Without excessive psychedelic sound effects (the "ping" from "Echoes" is more than just an effect..) and orchestral arrangements, the foursome delivered a strong sonic texture that ranks among their finest achievements and is a refreshing and interesting listen every time you put the disc on, equally in 1971 as today. Truly remarkable piece of music and a must for any prog collection.

More music from far away dimensions and the music got an new character with the second lead guitar by David Gilmour. Songs like "Let There Be More Light", "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" or the overlength title track are absolutely chilled, but don't only work under the input of drugs, it can take you on a trip of undiscovered mental feelings and mind conclusions. This side of Pink Floyd won't be loved by some people, but it deserves attention as essential part of the band history. Syd Barret was the hero of the psychedelic movement in the late 60's and he will always be missed by fans of this era. Schizophrenia was the reason for, that he left the band after that record. All the best Syd, you crazy diamond!

Led Zeppelin doesn’t completely abandon their folk music influences that was present on Led Zeppelin III, it is present in “The Battle of Evermore”, “When The Levee Breaks” and even in the epic centerpiece of the album, “Stairway To Heaven”. But as Plant says in the very appropriate titled song, “Rock And Roll”; ‘Been a long time since I rock and rolled - let me get back, baby where I come from’, and so they do go back to where they came from and rock your ass off. At least for a couple of songs. “Rock And Roll” and “Black Dog” following the traditional 50’s rock format, but they are obviously heavier and harder than anything Bill Haley did, if you get my drift. And given the fact that Plant is in top form through out the album doesn’t exactly make it worse. “Misty Mountain Top” rocks on pretty decently too, and we all know the rocking part in “Stairway To Heaven” (which sounds quite similar to Hendrix’s rendering of “All Along The Watchtower”).

“When The Levee Breaks” is a return to the dark and heavy blues influences heard mostly and best on the debut album. The intro is actually quite scary and for people claiming the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” scares the living daylight out of them will wet their paints hearing the great drum sound of Bonham and how bassist John Paul Jones is hanging on the notes, creating a great groove, with Robert Plant’s thriller harmonica playing on top of it. The song is very long, though and I can see why some people would be bored towards the end. It is still fantastically arranged and has a spooky atmosphere. Together with the classic “Stairway To Heaven” it makes the foundation of the album. “Stairway To Heaven” might be overplayed, but it belongs to the sort of songs that actually deserves it’s attention. It’s a great, ambitious song that successfully combines sections of different styles into one big manifestation for rock and all it’s possibillities.

The two opening adrenaline rushing rockers, “Stairway To Heaven” and “When The Levee Breaks” surely makes a good album, with the acoustic ballad “Going To California” as a bonus. Unfortunately does the album (commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV), also include the disappointing folky “The Battle of Evermore”. It it is not annoying or particularly bad, but neither does it contribute anything positive to the album. It’s filler material. “Misty Mountain Top” and “Four Sticks”, however, are annoying and ranks among the worst songs the band ever did. The overall excellency of the album cannot help but being narrowed because of those two numbers. Without those, Led Zeppelin’s fourth album would have been a strong candidate for a perfect 5/5 score.

The debut of L.A.’s Guns N’ Roses is a fist in your face. On top of memorable and catchy riffs singer Axl Rose confidently delivers all the emotions that the legend claims are needed to create great art. Some people might raise an eyebrow or two to see the word art mentioned in this context, but is not art whatever form you choose to express your feelings? May it be poetry, painting, movies, theatre or music. Hard rock is music, so Appetite For Destruction would qualify. Fear, bitterness and cynicism along with personal agony, selfdoubt and boredom makes up the lyrics. As most rock and metal bands at the time, drugs and alcohol is frequently mentioned, but far from as glorified and romanticized as their peers presented it. Instead it serves as the only way to hide from your problems that the superficial surroundings are flooding you with.

Talented guitarist Slash is given a lot of space and his playing is essential for the band. He is one of the very few metal/hard rock guitarists whom manages to play fast and technically good at the same as having a lot of feeling in his playing. Still it feels like this album belongs to Axl more than any other member, even he isn’t dominating in the way he would on later releases. In the end, Appetite For Destruction is as close to a group effort the band ever got, and every member has something to contribute. The center pieces of the album are “Welcome To The Jungle”, “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine”. All of them breathing with raw energy and remains fresh to this day. However, the album is incredibly even and it’s hard to say anything bad about it, unless you are deliberately trying to point out fouls. You’d know that you’d be wrong, though.

Guns N’ Roses are clearly influenced by other riff based bands, including the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Queen, Alice Cooper and maybe even Slade whilst Axl Rose is doing his best to imitate Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. Just like their heroes, Gun’s N’ Roses fires away melodically strong songs and thoughtful lyrics that does more than building up a bad attitude image. The musicianship is extremely high and the songwriting holds up in an impressive way, leaving Appetite For Destruction as a modern classic.

Yes! This is the Floyd sound! Mostly quiet and slow, but really kickass, too! Echoes is one of the greatest songs they ever did. Every section is great. Maybe that's just cause I like jamming, but maybe it isn't. One of These Days is a fantastic song as well. Another one of the best they ever did. And the other songs, well, who cares, with these two classics? Five. Five five.