Houses of the Holy [Remastered]
by Led Zeppelin
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Oct 28, 2014
Metascore
98

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Kerrang!
    Nov 24, 2014
    100
    The 16 songs that comprise these two albums [Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy] remaining blinding and deafening examples of strident, courageous music. [18 Oct 2014, p.54]
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  2. Q Magazine
    Nov 13, 2014
    100
    Led Zeepelin would get bigger, louder and very imperious very soon. But they'd rarely sound like they were having as much fun as they do here. [Nov 2014, p.125]
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  3. AllMusic
    Nov 11, 2014
    100
    Throughout the record, the band's playing is excellent, making the eclecticism of Page and Robert Plant's songwriting sound coherent and natural.... This Houses Of The Holy supplement ultimately confirms that Page and Zeppelin made the right choices the first time around.
  5. American Songwriter
    Nov 11, 2014
    100
    As with the previous three reissues, the pristine remastering removes a slight audio film that was still present after the 1992 versions. That’s especially obvious on the guitar parts of the more delicate songs but also shines a brighter light on John Bonham’s remarkable drumming that both grounded the band and pushed the other members into expanding their own boundaries.
  6. Consequence
    Nov 11, 2014
    91
    The remastering of this album is a blessing to the careful compositions and mannered performances throughout the record.
  7. Under The Radar
    Dec 19, 2014
    90
    Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy feature the band at their peak, and these still hold up after decades of heavy rotation. [Dec 2014, p.90]
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  8. Rolling Stone
    Nov 25, 2014
    90
    As with the reissue of the group's fourth album, Page has impeccably restored the glimmer of Houses of the Holy and uncovered an LP's worth of fascinating outtakes that show the band's headspace at the time.
  9. Mojo
    Nov 11, 2014
    80
    [A] more light-hearted, and lightweight, fifth album. [Nov 2014, p.106]
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  10. Paste Magazine
    Nov 11, 2014
    70
    Albums four and five are stocked mostly with inessential fluff that fans will cue up one time and promptly forget exists.... The true value here rests in the remastering. Page’s production on the original LPs remains unimpeachable, but these reissues give the tracks a subtle sheen.

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User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 76
  3. Negative: 4 out of 76
  1. Gerry_Todd
    Nov 15, 2014
    10
    Let's face it...all of LZ's albums, even those considered to be of lesser quality by many, such as "Presence" and "In Through The Out Door",Let's face it...all of LZ's albums, even those considered to be of lesser quality by many, such as "Presence" and "In Through The Out Door", are still, and always will be, amongst the greatest rock albums ever made. The first six, in particular, defined the band, and the era, as the best encapsulation of the big, epic studio sound that represented the 70's. There are no bands at this present time, none, that are working with even remotely the same scope and vision as Led Zeppelin did, which is why their music continues to be revered to this day. "Houses of the Holy", while are first glance appearing to be slightly more of a minor work in comparison to its' mythic predecessor, is in reality every bit a standard bearer as its' brethren. Indeed, some of LZ's greatest music is on this album, including "The Rain Song", "Over The Hills And Far Away", and "No Quarter". In many ways, this is Zep's most light-hearted album, with some of the most playful and purely fun music they ever made in these grooves. But playful doesn't mean light weight, and there isn't a band alive today that wouldn't trade most of their recorded output for one stab at an effortless sounding song such as "The Crunge". I know many people who consider this album to be their best and, while I wouldn't necessarily agree, I can understand where they are coming from. Still blows 90% of anything recorded in the last forty years out of the water. Also, the drummer is pretty good. Highly recommended.… Full Review »
  2. ZacharyMBurnett
    Feb 18, 2017
    10
    Without a doubt Led Zeppelin's magnum opus, Houses of the Holy features the strongest and greatest line up of Led Zeppelin's classics andWithout a doubt Led Zeppelin's magnum opus, Houses of the Holy features the strongest and greatest line up of Led Zeppelin's classics and somewhat unpopular songs. From the hard rocking opener of The Song Remains the Same and the similarly hard closer of The Ocean, to the Jamaican inspired Dy'er Mak'er, the incredibly moody and beautiful No Quarter, the beautiful, emotion filled Rain Song, and the Stairway to Heaven reminiscent Over the Hills and Faraway, Zep makes an album that beautifully flows like a river, with Jimmy Page's guitar work, Robert Plant's voice, Jon Bonham's drumming, and Jon Paul Jones keyboard and bass parts mixing together into a beautiful storm that is Houses of the Holy.… Full Review »
  3. benjaminsimas
    Nov 10, 2022
    10
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