Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin II
Tracklist:
1. Whole Lotta Love (5:34)
2. What Is and What Never Should Be (4:47)
3. The Lemon Song (6:19)
4. Thank You (4:47)
5. Heartbreaker (4:13)
6. Living Loving Maid (She�s Just a Woman) (2:39)
7. Ramble On (4:35)
8. Moby Dick (4:20)
9. Bring It on Home (4:19)
Total: 41:38
Introduction
Following the success of their self-titled debut album, Led Zeppelin released their sophomore album, Led Zeppelin II, later in the same year. Despite the quick release, the album definitely does not feel rushed. While their first album�s track were mostly blues dominated, the songs on Led Zeppelin II have a bit of a hard rock edge, although the blues influence is without a doubt still there, as indicated in songs like �What Is and What Never Should Be� and �The Lemon Song�.
Synopsis
The album opens up with �Whole Lotta Love�. The main guitar riff in the song is one of Jimmy Page�s most well known riffs. The song is also one of the heavier songs on the album. Jimmy Page also contributes some strange, unique sounds on his guitar. John Paul Jones plays fast, and John Bonham shows off his drumming skills, especially in the instrumental section. In the middle of the song, Plant has somewhat of an orgasm, which is umm, somewhat disturbing on the first listen. At around the 4:04 mark, all of the instruments cease, and Plant delivers the powerful line: �Way down inside... woman... You need... love.� Very good stuff.
Things calm down for the next song, �What Is and What Never Should Never Be�. The verses are very mellow, featuring only light percussion, soft guitar riffs, and some great bass lines. During the chorus, the song gets louder for a bit, and then slows down again for the next verse. Plant has some cool vocal effects in this song.
�The Lemon Song� is up next, and its riff reminds me of the first album, as does the vocal style. Overall, this song sounds like it could�ve fit on Led Zeppelin, although its presence on the band�s second album is welcomed. So if you liked the songs from Led Zeppelin, then you�ll no doubt enjoy �The Lemon Song�. I think it�s pretty good song myself. Page�s guitar riffs and solos here are exceptional.
The slow and steady �Thank You� is track number four. Plant sings the whole way through, and Jones plays the organ here. John Bonham keeps a steady drumbeat during the verses, and Page plays some nice acoustic riffs. If you prefer some of the faster, heavier songs on this album, then you�ll probably want to skip ahead a track, but if you don�t mind a soft, mellow track, then �Thank You� is a fairly good listen.
Another familiar riff from Jimmy Page, accompanied by a matching bass line from John Paul Jones, starts off �Heartbreaker�. Plant sings with very distinct blues style vocals here. In the middle of the song, Jimmy Page gets the spotlight as he delivers a very cool guitar solo, probably one of my favorite solos by him.
�Living Loving Maid (She�s Just A Woman)� is one of the more upbeat songs on the album, and is one of the more fun songs to listen to. It�s got an appropriate upbeat guitar riff, and a very catchy chorus.
With the intro to �Ramble On�, you�d think it was going to be a slow, acoustic track. However, after the verses, the song erupts into a hard rocking tune. The song switches tempo throughout its length. Overall, this is a fun song to listen to.
�Moby Dick� might as well be called �John Bonham drum solo�, because aside from the first and last minute or so of the song, that�s pretty much what it is. The song just shows how awesome of a drummer John Bonham was. He pretty much hits everything on his drum set, and eventually gets fast as hell. While it�s true that his drum solo was rendered obsolete over the years, it was very impressive for its time.
The intro to the last song of the album, �Bring it on Home�, is very blues influenced, complete with some harmonica playing from Robert Plant. His vocals are somewhat strange and sound muffled. But after the two minutes or so, Page comes in with a heavy riff, Jones soon follows suit, and Bonham comes in with his signature drumming. The song continues this way, until is slows down into what resembles the intro again, and then slowly fades.
Highlights
�Whole Lotta Love�, �Heartbreaker�, �Ramble On�
Bottom Line
Led Zeppelin II is a well-rounded album with some really great tunes. Those who bought, listened to, and enjoyed the band�s debut album will not be disappointed.
Final Grade: A
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Last Updated ::
5/6/2005
Album: Led Zeppelin II
Album line-up:
Jimmy Page - Acoustic, electric, and pedal steel guitar, backing vocals
Robert Plant - Vocals, harmonica
John Paul Jones - Bass guitar, organ, backing vocals
John Bonham - Drums, backing vocals
Additional Personnel:
N/A
Release Year: 1969
Label: Atlantic
Produced by: Jimmy Page