LED ZEPPELIN II

I'm in with the sprinkling of reviewers who see this as one of the weaker Zep titles, in fact it is in my view their worst offering of the relevant Zeppelin period (through Presence.) Not only did I think this back in my youth when I lived and breathed Zeppelin, but I feel of all their classic albums it has held up the least well.

I have always been bored to death by Whole Lotta Love, Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid, and Moby Dick. I cringe when I hear that stuff on the radio. They are repetitive and really unremarkable songs compared to the highlights of 1, 3, and 4. Next you have a slew of slightly better but still average tracks in WIAWSNB, Lemon Song, and Bring it on Home. Jones and Bonham steal the show throughout but very much so on Lemon Song where their rhythm section is perfect. You are left with two good (not great) songs. Thank You is a sincere sounding departure for Plant that holds up well as a love song, and Ramble On features some great moments by Jones as he effortlessly plays bass like a lead instrument rather than a rhythm one. David mentioned the album was written and recorded in hotel rooms and here and there on the road while touring and I think in retrospect you can hear that in the music. While they are trying their best to "get it up" here and project the new Zeppelin image I can hear a certain tiredness in the material compared to the immediacy of the first album. The break to the country would help much as the material on 3 and 4 would sound much more alive, fresher, and infinitely more interesting than this.

Recommended only to Zeppelin fans I'm afraid, and even there, new fans should make this the last one they purchase from the titles through Presence.