By 1973, Led Zeppelin ruled the world. On Houses of the Holy, their 5th album, they rose to the challenge of breaking new ground. The continual move away from heavy metal got the album mixed reviews. But it topped the charts and sold 11 million in the US alone.

The mellotron-driven 7 minute The Rain Song was inspired by George Harrison’s complaint that Zeppelin didn’t do ballads; the opening two notes borrowed from Something. While Page used guitar riffs as architectural motifs on The Song Remains the Same, No Quarter was a John Paul Jones showcase for a tale of a battle in a snowstorm. They tried reggae (D’yer Mak’er), funk (The Crunge) and doo-wop (The Ocean - a tribute to their fans). It came wrapped around the gorgeous cover of children at the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland, inspired by Arthur C. Clarke’s novel Childhood’s End.

For the music listener who appreciates rich sounds and technique of the guitar, Peter Northcote’s album Poindexter and the Genius Sex Act is simply a ‘must have’ in your collection. The sitar, Rock and a Japanese flavour are prevalent themes throughout the album. Peter lends his voice to some of the songs throughout the album (such as Japanese Girlfriend) while narrative by the well-known astrologer, Dadhichi, adds further depth and ambience. The album is crafted with attention to detail in almost every aspect, from the arrangements and mixing to its physical presentation. The CD comes in a beautiful, high quality case which in itself is a work of art.