Zeppelin have this (almost) *perfectly* curated catalogue (“almost”, as there’s some right 💩 on “ITTOD”). Sabbath kind of fall off a cliff after the initial Dio years. Severe identity crisis. I think this can’t help but impact on how both bands are assessed. Kinda like Beatles vs Stones.
I was going to say Fabs v Elvis, but felt it didn’t quite scan (although it’s the same idea): relatively economic canon/perfect corpse (Beatles, LZ) versus longer, messier canon/bloated corpse (Elvis, Stones). Nirvana vs, say, Melvins, might work. There’ll be loads more…
Measuring solely the 1st discographical decade of Zep vs Sabs might make for a fairer assessment. I’d argue both bands are lesser forces after 1975. Imho, “Presence” trumps “Technical Ecstasy”, but “Never Say Die!” utterly trounces “ITTOD”. But then ‘Carouselambra’ is better than owt on “TE”/“NSD!”
I disagree but I *love* Zeppelin and I do really dislike the way they’ve been kinda absurdified/denigrated - and always by these *utter fucking dorks* - who have no business writing about rock n’roll, tbf. They’re godlike.
Dork here. If anything, LZ were just tooooo good. Sabbath were flawed and flailing and it’s all about having the cracks where the light shines through (or something).
I do know what you mean (and - as you know - I’m 100 % Sabbath too) But, that said, a record like Presence is rough as fuck and flailing; a fair chunk of Physical Graffiti, too. And live LZ were often highly approximate as well.
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Can't imagine Ozzy working behind a bar