100 Greatest Albums of All Time

73. Physical Graffiti, Led Zeppelin Swan Song, 1975

“Let’s put it this way: I had a sitar before George Harrison,” said Jimmy Page, explaining his longtime love for Indian music. Zep’s frontman shared that affinity: In 1972, Robert Plant and Page journeyed to Bombayto make experimental recordings with Indian studio musicians and perform in an underground disco. Physical Graffiti is the ultimate in Led Zeppelin’s attempts to fuse East and West, exploring the Arabic and Indian sonorities of “Kashmir” and “In the Light.” It’s Zeppelin’s most eclectic album, featuring down-and dirty blues (“Black Country Woman,” “Boogie With Stu”), pop balladry (“Down by the Seaside”) and the 11-minute “In My Time of Dying.” An excessive album from the group that all but invented excess.