Led Zeppelin II (Vinyl Replica Edition) [Digipak] [Remastered] - Led Zeppelin > Reviews > led zeppelin 2

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	one of the greatesr rock n roll albums ever
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This is the second led zeppelin album and was released on 22nd of October 1969 under Atlantic records. In my opinion this is the best album they have done before I start talking about the album I will give you a little information about the band. Formed in the summer of 1968 led zeppelin consisted of the following members...

Vocals-Robert plant
Guitar-jimmy page
Bass guitar- john Paul Jones
Drums-john Bonham

jimmy page was the member that put the band together as the only member of the yard birds (jimmy's previous band before zep) left as the other members had all departed, jimmy was left the name of the group but also had to complete an upcoming tour he finally recruited Robert plant, john Paul Jones and john Bonham they would complete the tour under the name of the yard birds and then becomes led zeppelin. The name come from the who drummer Keith moon who was asked how he thought the band would do and replied "they'll go down like a led zeppelin" and the rest as they say was history.

Track listing
1. Whole lotta love (10/10)
One of there most famous songs also containing there most famous riff, the riff is excellent and instantly recognisable as it was used as the intro to top of the pops for many years and has only recently been replaced. Anyway the song its self is excellent and a brilliant opener to the album plants trademark vocal are on top form page's riffs and solo are both excellent and are part of rock history and a tight rhythm section to. During the middle of this song it has a very strange sound section where page uses a violin bow on his guitar which produces a very strange sound the chorus's lyrics are instant recognisable and easy to remember also.
2. What is and what should never be (8/10)
A very slow bluesy feel to this song plant as usual excellent with his screaming vocals and guitar and rhythm by the rest of the band Evan what I think is an Asian symbol thrown in there for good effect.
3. Lemon song (8/10)
Another very bluesy number here vocals and rhythm section are tight and page's playing is very blues orientated and the riff is very basic in this but equally effective.
4. Thank you (8/10)
this starts off acoustically and continues to be a very soft song very peaceful music on this and plants vocals are more relaxed compared to his usual screaming vocals very strange solo on this cant quite make out what instrument it is although I do like this song but to me its not really what led zeppelins all about and that’s ROCKING!! But it is nice for a change.
5. Heartbreaker (10/10)
My favourite song on the album this song shows why jimmy page is considered one of the greatest guitarists ever and likewise with Roberts vocals. the opening riff which continues throughout the song is truly amazing and will have you humming the riff the vocals and lyrics are both excellent as is the rhythm section, the solo on this song is played unaccompanied and surprisingly sounds amazing Evan though there’s no back up to it.
6. Livin’ lovin' maid (she's just a woman) (9/10)
This is another one of those songs that not typical sounding led zeppelin but I really like this one. another very simple but effective riff and a tight rhythm section and I really like the drums on this one, vocals brilliant and has a nice song along chorus which you will learn in no time a short but sweet solo also but this song is really a short but sweet one.
7. Ramble on (9/10)
Another acoustic soft riff to this one to start off with but soon kicks in with yet another great riff and plant sings the chorus brilliantly. This is one of those songs which builds up calmly to the chorus and then just let’s loose for the chorus and I like it, it most defiantly works on this song.
8. Moby dick (10/10)
This song may not appeal to everyone as it features no vocals at all it’s an instrumental track. I however love this track for the first minute and a half were graced with a brilliant riff from page which then leads into a unaccompanied drum solo from Bonham which shows off his drumming ability and builds up nicely for when page and Jones come back in with the guitar and bass considering plant doesn’t feature on the track its still amazing.
9. Bring it on home
a very country feel to the start of this song with some nice harmonica in, plants vocals are quite deep and strange for him until the whole band kicks in the plants vocals are back to normal and the band are all in full flow with yet another great riff from page as at the beginning goes to a very country/blues feel to finish off the song a very good ending to the album.

Overall album rating (10/10)
as I said at the beginning this is my fav zeppelin album 2 absolute monster tracks (whole lotta love and heartbreaker) and the rest are all excellent tracks not one song on here I wouldn’t listen to or skip.... absolute genius