lambchops's Full Review: Led Zeppelin II [Remaster] by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin is the quintessential band of their era. Their music is timeless and enduring and translates just as well today as it did twenty five years ago. Most bands can only hope to achieve such transcendent fame. They represent everything that is great about hard rock.
Hailing from England, Led Zeppelin formed as a result of ongoing collaborations between Jimmy Page (guitar) and John Paul Jones (bass). When the two met up with blues singer Robert Plant the seeds of Zeppelin were planted. The band's lineup was completed with the hiring of John Bonham on drums. First performing under the name the New Yardbirds, the band soon changed their name. Their self-titled debut was released in January 1969 and the rest goes down in musical history.
Between January 1969 and September 1979 Led Zeppelin gave the world eight classic albums. 1971's Led Zeppelin IV (a.k.a. Zoso) is often regarded as the best album, but there are others which ooze the sexiness, epic drama, and amazing musicianship that the band was (and is) known for. Five consecutive albums are regarded as nothing short of perfect--Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II (1969), Led Zeppelin III (1970), Led Zeppelin IV, Houses of the Holy (1973), and Physical Graffiti (1975). The band faltered for the first time with 1976's Presence but regained some momentum for the release of 1979's In Through the Out Door. Of course their career was cut short after just over a decade with the September 1980 alcohol-related death of Bonham.
Led Zeppelin left behind an amazing musical legacy. No band has ever equaled them in high-quality releases and radio-ready rock n' roll; I don't envision this to ever happen. Led Zeppelin is thankfully a one-of-a-kind musical miracle. Had it not been for Zeppelin, a whole host of 1980's and 1990's followers wouldn't have ever happened. They are at least as influential as The Beatles--and more appealing and consistent as a whole to fans of rock. Want to know where your metal or hard rock favorite band got their ideas? Look no further than the godfathers of modern rock n' roll for a concise answer.
In the span of just nine songs and forty minutes, Zeppelin redefined what a rock album should be. The band recorded Led Zeppelin II in a short period of time. This could have easily proven disastrous. Instead, the blues-infused album was intense, organic, and straightforward. From Plant's wailing, anxious vocals to Page's layered guitar riffs to Jones with his driving bass and Bonham's brutal drums it is simply a masterpiece. Actually, it is one of many Zeppelin masterpieces.
All nine songs are classics and all nine still get airplay today. However, strangely enough only two were original official singles. Living Loving Maid and Whole Lotta Love are both great songs with the latter probably the better known. A direct, fast-paced rocker (and reworking of You Need Love from Willie Dixon) with some fabulous guitar work from Page and Plant's orgasmic wailing it is easily one of the band's sexiest songs. It is also one of three on this album based on classic blues songs. Living Loving Maid comes across as a great road song--energetic but somewhat even-keeled with a memorable chorus. While not one of my favorite Zeppelin songs it is incredibly energizing.
What Is and What Should Never Be blends together acoustic elements with hard rock, bombastic drums (a trademark of the madman Bonham), and great songwriting. An epic, rich, and wonderful song it is easily one of my favorites of this album. However, if it's blues you're in the market for look toward The Lemon Song or Bring it on Home instead. Plant's background in blues is perfectly suited to songs like these but as a band I've always preferred their more straightforward rock tracks. This is of course a matter of taste and nothing else since everything here is perfectly done.
Thank You, Heartbreaker, and Ramble On are a few more of my favorite Zeppelin songs. Thank You in particular speaks to me on an emotional level. There are very few songs out there that are this controlled and beautiful. I don't care what genre, what year, or what band--I challenge listeners to find fault in the opus. The music is perfect, but without the exceptionally evocative lyrics I wouldn't be this impressed:
Little drops of rain whisper of the pain, tears of loves lost in the days gone by.
My love is strong, with you there is no wrong,
together we shall go until we die. My, my, my.
An inspiration is what you are to me, inspiration, look…see.
Heartbreaker is one of the louder rock tracks on II. It's also one of the best known. I can't help but adore it for the all out balls-to-the-wall quality of the music. Of course with all things Led Zeppelin there is more than just big guitars, booming drums, and wailing vocals--there is love and pain and dedication in every note. Ramble On is splendidly acoustic and emotional. I love the track and find it fascinating that Zeppelin refers to Lord of the Rings specifically in the lyrics (something they also did in other outstanding songs like Misty Mountain Hop, No Quarter, Over the Hills and Far Away, and The Battle of Evermore). Mordor and Gollum are both mentioned with less specific references to other LOTR happenings also throughout. A great song to say the very least.
Moby Dick is probably the oddest inclusion. It is a showcase for drummer Bonham's talent. Ever heard an entire song that doubles as a drum solo? If not Moby Dick is a great place to start. It highlights Bonham's ability to actually command a melody with his ability. There have been few real percussive artists in music history--Bonham is one of them. Zeppelin was known to perform this one in extended versions live and it can be heard in all its wild glory on the 2003 outstanding 3-disc live release How the West Was Won.
Led Zeppelin II is a perfect album. If rock music is your thing, then it's the kind of release you should probably already own and cherish. There is a little something here for everybody. If you've yet to really get into Zeppelin, II is a good place to start. The songs are complete visions, full of great melodies, and topped off by intricate and fabulous performances by all four members. If this doesn't convince you of their genius, nothing will.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Whole Lotta Love
02. What Is and What Should Never Be
03. The Lemon Song
04. Thank You
05. Heartbreaker
06. Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)
07. Ramble On
08. Moby Dick
09. Bring It on Home
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