Review Summary: Conquering the musical world with just their second album.
It's not too often that a band manages to make two incredible albums in a single year, usually, there's a common case of a sophomore slump. But not Led Zeppelin, from the get-go these guys were absolutely legendary, and in 1969 they delivered a second album that managed to
BETTER their already fairly good debut! This album is partly what laid the groundwork for Heavy Metal artists. It is even considered to be part of the Proto-Metal genre, and that makes sense with songs like "The Lemon Song" and "Heartbreaker" definitely providing the groundwork that bands such as Sabbath would follow. Overall though, it's mainly a Hard Rock album.
This album is nearly perfect from start to finish, with amazing psychedelia and unique chord progression, commonly drifting from light to heavy effortlessly as is the case on "What Is and What Should Never Be" which really highlights the flexibility of Jimmy Page's virtuoso playing, the psychedelic breakdown in "Whole Lotta Love", the utterly beautiful and brilliant relaxing vibe of "Thank You", and the vastly underrated simple yet fantastic hard rocker "Living Loving Woman". "Ramble On" is also on this album. Then you get to "Moby Dick" which is undoubtedly the
GREATEST drum solo of all time, every time you hear it it's a treat to the ears, especially live. John Bonham could really deliver with his utter genius at drumming and John Paul Jones is someone I find who doesn't get enough credit; the basslines on this album are ferocious and really allow everyone to drive along flawlessly, he deserves much more recognition when people discuss this record.
The only weak spot is "Bring It On Home" which starts off with off-key vocals from Robert Plant and the instrumental is sloppy. It also is a blatant ripoff of multiple blues songs thrown together in a pastiche, rushed "song" that lacks in any sort of originality. Despite this, it's easily one of the greatest albums of all time, and worth a listen to anyone who enjoys good ol' rock 'n' roll.
Track by Track:
Whole Lotta Love: ★★★★★
What Is and What Should Never be: ★★★★★
The Lemon Song: ★★★★★
Thank You: ★★★★
Heartbreaker: ★★★★★
Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman): ★★★★★
Ramble On: ★★★★
Moby Dick: ★★★★★
Bring it On Home: ★★
