Free's self titled from '69 utterly destroys Zep's whole career. A perfect harmony of Blues, Soul, and Funk, cut with crushingly heavy bass guitar playing, and sharp guitars that go for atmosphere rather than shredding and wanktastic "look-at-me" speed and technicality, even intentionally leaving in mistakes for what they sonically contribute to the feeling of the tracks.
It's almost Post Punk in its funky, bass-centric and simultaneously uplifting and yet depressive approach. Even the slow and "happy" songs have this gut wrenching heaviness just beneath the surface.
Painfully underrated, and written off by most Free fans (and fans of British Blues in general) for veering away from just straight Blues Rock, and having the balls to be something unique.
Plus, the album cover is groovy.
