LED ZEPPELIN II

Having exploded onto the rock music scene with their 1969 self-titled debut, Led Zeppelin returns the very same year to give their fans more of the same. Although panned by critics at the time of it's release for merely sounding like 'British kids wanting to sound like American bluesmen,' Led Zeppelin's sophomore is some of the heaviest rock of the period and a pleasant addition to their career, although the critics may have been to some extent, correct.

Most people who indulge in the fancies of FM radio should be able to recognize a few of these tunes right off the bat; tracks like the hit 'Whole Lotta Love' are played constantly on rock stations, and for good reason. Many of the songs here have instant hit appeal in terms of being very solid pieces of classic rock. While there is songwriting and melody here (both aspects that pop listeners can't get enough of,) the execution of the music is very crunchy, and hints at early signs of heavy metal.

While each song is memorable and the album is a 'classic' in the sense that it has lasted this long and still maintains a loyal fandom, a big problem is how much Led Zeppelin derives from typical blues here. There is certainly an amendment to how heavy things are, but it's easy to tell why critics really did not think highly of the album at the time. There's no denying that Led Zeppelin shows promise and talent here, but there isn't that added depth in the music that would make for a really excellent listening experience. Most of the songs revolve around sex, love, or some abstract combination of the two, and there is very little open interpretation lended to the lyrics (it is quite clear what Robert Plant is referring to when he asks his female counterpart to 'squeeze his lemon').

Thankfully however, the music itself is alot more enjoyable than the lyrics it drives. Despite having almost no development over their first album and a sound that is overtly derivative, 'Led Zeppelin II' is essential for any fan of the band, and a pretty good album in it's own right.

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