Next month, Led Zeppelin will be releasing the remastered edition of their classic 1975 album Physical Graffiti with a bonus disc of alternate mixes, and today the rough mix of one of the album's standout tracks "Houses of the Holy" has been shared, which you can check out below. Even if you're not an audiophile, the differences between this version and the original are quite obvious — the bass is more prominent, the drums are looser, Robert Plant's vocals (particularly the backing vocals) are pushed up in the mix, and there are less guitar overdubs. It's a fascinating listen for diehard Zeppelin fans, but you probably won't prefer this to the album version.
"'Houses of the Holy' is unlike anything that anyone was doing," guitarist Jimmy Page told Rolling Stone about the track, which was originally recorded for the band's 1973 album of the same name but ultimately cut. "It's just something that's totally of its own. I think the lyrics are brilliant on it."
You can check out the alternate mix of Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy" right here (via Rolling Stone):
Here's the final version of "Houses of the Holy," just in case you were curious:
The reissue of Physical Graffiti is set for release on Feb. 24, the album's 40th anniversary, and is available for pre-order right now through the Led Zeppelin website. It is the latest in Led Zeppelin's recent reissue campaign, which will likely continue with a remastering of their 1976 album Presence. Among the other rough mixes and alternate versions included on the Physical Graffiti reissue include "Trampled Under Foot," "Kashmir," "In My Time of Dying," "Sick Again," "Boogie With Stu," and "In The Light."
What do you think of the alternate mix of Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy"? Let us know down in the comments section below!
