Defector Music Club Lights Up with Classic Led Zeppelin Tribute Night

Led Zeppelin’s ‘Presence’: A Retrospective Look

Led Zeppelin’s “Presence,” released nearly 50 years ago, remains a engaging and often debated album in their discography. while not as commercially successful as their earlier work, “Presence” offers a raw and intense glimpse into the band’s creative process during a turbulent period. Several music enthusiasts recently discussed the album, offering diverse perspectives on its legacy.

Initial Reactions and Personal Connections

For some, like Dave McKenna, “Presence” holds a deeply personal importance. “I was already a Zeppelin fan because you pretty much had to be in my world,” McKenna explained. He recalls buying the album on its release day and being promptly captivated, describing it as “a great time to be alive and young and dumb and drunk.” The album’s complex arrangements, with frequent stops and starts, made it “Greatest air drumming album ever?” in his opinion.

Ray Ratto, while acknowledging “achilles’ Last Stand” as “Bonham at his best/most unhinged,” found the rest of the album somewhat uneven. He contrasted this with his recognition for the often-overlooked “South bound Suarez,” suggesting that individual preferences play a important role in how the album is received.

“Presence” in the Broader Zeppelin context

Lauren Theisen chose “Presence” precisely because it’s often overshadowed by zeppelin’s more popular albums. “None of these songs are on Presence, which was Zeppelin’s penultimate record and the one that realy started to signal their downfall,” Theisen noted.She highlighted “Achilles Last Stand” as a standout track, an “epic, endless, charging rock song” that resonated with her despite its length and complexity.

Israel Daramola admitted that his initial exposure to Led Zeppelin came through high school acquaintances and,surprisingly,”That ’70s Show.” While he found “Presence” engaging, he felt it lacked the “virile magic” of their more classic songs, describing it as “an album for the purists.”

The Enduring Appeal and Controversies

David Roth’s introduction to Led Zeppelin was through the pervasive presence of their music on rock radio. He acknowledged the band’s widespread reputation as “The Greatest” but admitted that he personally preferred other artists like The Rolling Stones and Creedence clearwater Revival. Roth’s experiance reflects how cultural consensus can influence musical taste,even among those with differing personal preferences.

Blues Influence and Accusations of theft

The conversation also touched on Led Zeppelin’s appropriation of blues music. lauren Theisen argued that the band “add their own sound and style to the blues and make it a distinctly ‘70s hard-rock thing.” Ray Ratto, though, found their “lifts from actual blues artists seem more egregious as they ended up as a bigger band.”

David Roth offered a more nuanced outlook, suggesting that the ’70s were a time of “total berserk liberation” where artists felt free to “steal or do or claim whatever.” He humorously compared this to “a mincing British dude singing blues songs about gollum,” highlighting the era’s sometimes absurd excesses. Whether viewed as innovation or appropriation, Led Zeppelin’s relationship with the blues remains a contentious topic.

Relevance in a Modern Context

Israel Daramola drew a parallel between the ’70s and the present day, suggesting that “we might be back to an age of outright theft and reckless style siphoning.” This raises questions about originality and influence in contemporary music, prompting listeners to consider the ethical implications of borrowing from established genres.

Dave mckenna expressed his enduring love for “Achilles Last Stand,” emphasizing its “thin line between excess and ecstasy.” He pondered how modern listeners would react to the song, asking, “Is that Greta band still around?” this highlights the generational gap in music appreciation and the challenge of assessing a band’s legacy across different eras.

Final Thoughts

the discussion concluded with reflections on Led Zeppelin’s lasting impact. Ray Ratto quipped, “We need Punk 2.0,” expressing a desire for musical innovation that challenges the status quo. David Roth humorously noted that “50 years later their stuff both still sounds pretty good, and is still inspiring your more contrary listeners to be like ‘we really need to make shorter songs.'”

Led Zeppelin’s “Presence” continues to provoke debate and inspire passion among music fans. Whether you view it as a flawed masterpiece,a transitional album,or a product of its time,”Presence” remains a testament to the band’s enduring influence and the power of music to evoke strong emotions and diverse opinions. Delve into “Presence” for yourself! Who knows? You might discover a new favorite track, or at least gain a fresh perspective on Led Zeppelin’s complex legacy.

Defector’s Favorite Jams Right Now

Early Fleetwood Mac

Lately I’ve been listening to Fleetwood mac pre Buckingham/Nicks (as they’re never not tedious), mostly Bare Trees and Future Games. Danny Kirwan and Bob Welch solos can mellow a badger.

-Ray Ratto

Cindy Lee – diamond Jubilee

We ran an excellent blog on this record in May of last year, and the album itself first surfaced online around a year ago. “Surfaced” is the word for it,even though “appeared” would also work—the album,which is around two hours long and plays like a long dreamy scan through the radio dial on a late-night car ride,arrived on various online platforms and left them,off and on,before finally getting released on vinyl and compact disc last month. I’d listened to it where it could be found for months before then, and was never anything less than in awe of it; I beleive that it is, in its way, one of the most astonishing and transporting albums I’ve ever heard. But I am very happy to be able to listen to it in the way that I like to listen to music, which is by putting an actual object onto a record player or into a CD deck and letting it play through a stereo system. Some of that is me being stubborn and old—I will be one of the last thousand people in this country buying CD’s, if I am not already—but I have enjoyed bringing that extra little bit of intention to it, and removing the occasional interstitial ad from the listening experience adds greatly to the overall effect. I am listening to this record to get lost, and it feels like an vital part of the experience to exercise that little bit of agency before doing so—to choose it, and then to go where it takes me.

-david Roth

Wilson Phillips – “Hold On”

As the country gets swallowed by cruelty and bigotry, I’ve found a little more value in the simple affirmations of “nice” art that I would otherwise dismiss as trite or cringe. Yes, Wilson Phillps, I think to myself while listening, I WILL hold on for one more day.

-Lauren Theisen

How did Robert Plant’s accident influence the recording process of “Presence”?

revisiting Led Zeppelin’s ‘presence’: An Interview wiht Music Historian Dr. Eleanor Vance

Led Zeppelin’s “Presence” remains a fascinating and often misunderstood album in their catalog. To delve deeper into its legacy, Archyde spoke with Dr. Eleanor Vance, a renowned music historian specializing in 1970s rock.

Initial Impressions and Enduring Appeal

Archyde: Dr. Vance, thank you for joining us. “Presence” is an album that seems to divide Zeppelin fans. What were yoru initial reactions to it,and what accounts for its enduring appeal,or lack thereof,in your opinion?

Dr. Vance: It’s a pleasure to be here. When “Presence” first came out, the lack of acoustic tracks and the overt blues influences struck many as a departure. But that’s part of what makes it so interesting. It’s a raw, almost desperate album, reflecting the band’s circumstances at the time. Its appeal lies in that intensity, that feeling of being right there in the room with them. for some, though, this intensity is exhausting, leading to the mixed reactions.

“Presence” in the Context of Zeppelin’s Discography

Archyde: Many consider “Presence” a transitional album, signaling a shift in the band’s sound. Do you agree with the assessment? And how does it fit within the broader narrative of Led Zeppelin’s musical evolution?

Dr.Vance: Absolutely, “Presence” is a pivotal record.It came at a point of immense pressure and change for the band. Robert Plant’s accident undeniably impacted the recording process, leading to a more improvisational and studio-bound approach. It represents a move away from the fantasy and mysticism of their earlier work toward a more direct and blues-infused sound. While it didn’t define their later material entirely, it certainly laid the groundwork for experimentation and a different kind of heaviness.

The Blues Debate and Accusations of Theft

Archyde: The conversation often turns to Led zeppelin’s appropriation of blues music. How do you view their use of blues elements on “Presence,” and does the band’s immense success amplify any ethical concerns in your evaluation?

Dr. Vance: This is a complex issue. On one hand, you could argue that Led Zeppelin brought the blues to a larger audience, introducing a new generation to the genre’s roots. They undoubtedly transformed these influences, adding their own hard rock and psychedelic sound. though,the lack of proper attribution and the scale of their commercial success undeniably raise ethical questions. It’s a conversation that needs to happen in the context of the time, but also with contemporary sensitivity to cultural appropriation.

“Achilles Last Stand” and Modern Resonance

Archyde: “Achilles Last Stand” is a standout track on “Presence” for many fans. Why does this particular song resonate so strongly, and how do you think it holds up for modern listeners encountering it for the first time?

Dr. Vance: “Achilles Last Stand” is a masterpiece of controlled chaos. It’s epic in scope, driven by Bonham’s astonishing drumming and Page’s soaring guitar work. the lyrics, while somewhat opaque, evoke a sense of adventure and struggle. For modern listeners, I think it still resonates as of its sheer power and its refusal to conform to conventional song structures.It’s a challenge to listen to but highly rewarding once you let yourself be swept away by its energy.

relevance in Today’s Music Scene

Archyde: Considering the current musical landscape, do you see any parallels between the creative freedom (or recklessness) of the 1970s and contemporary approaches to music creation? In what ways might “Presence” inspire or inform artists today?

Dr. Vance: That’s a great question! There’s definitely a sense of genre-bending and experimentation happening now, similar to the ’70s. Artists are drawing from a wider range of influences and pushing boundaries in exciting ways.”Presence” can inspire contemporary artists by demonstrating the importance of pushing against expectations and embracing imperfections. It’s a reminder that true artistry frequently enough emerges from taking risks, even if those risks lead to something unconventional or divisive.

Archyde: Dr. Vance, what is one key takeaway you hope readers will gain from revisiting “Presence”?

Dr.Vance: I hope readers will approach “Presence” with an open mind, appreciating it for what it is indeed: a snapshot of a band at a critical juncture, grappling with challenges and pushing their creative boundaries. It may not be their most commercially successful album, but it offers a unique and powerful glimpse into Led Zeppelin’s artistic evolution.

Archyde: Dr.Vance, thank you for your insights! This was incredibly enlightening.