TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURRENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : Excellent Good Fair Poor : COMPACT DISCS

“Houses of the Holy.” Led Zeppelin. Atlantic. AAD (analog original). Despite what the critics said and despite what reservations even this fan may have about Robert Plant’s vocals, Zep was one of the great rock bands. Just about any of the British quartet’s albums would be a good CD buy, especially if they sound as crystal-clear as this 1973 LP. The detail work of Jimmy Page’s guitar playing is sharply pronounced (just one example: The bite of that growly riff in “No Quarter”) and the impact of the late John Bonham’s dynamic drumming is more easily appreciated. An album of musical invention and range, from the rock of “Dancing Days” to the folksy “The Rain Song.” 1/2