Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
"What Is And What Should Never Be"
"Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)"
More from Led Zeppelin
(1969) Led Zeppelin
(1969) Led Zeppelin II
(1970) Led Zeppelin III
(1971) Led Zeppelin IV
(1973) Houses Of The Holy
(1975) Physical Graffiti
(1976) Presence
(1976) The Song Remains The Same
(1979) In Through The Out Door
(1980) Coda
(2003) How The West Was Won
Led Zeppelin II
by Led Zeppelin (1969)
Written by Jake Muttheid (4)
Led Zeppelin II is usually overlooked by music fans because it isn't graced with "Kashmir" or "Stairway To Heaven." But this is one of the heaviest, bluesiest albums your ear will ever hear. This is a perfect fusion of the three biggest things in music at the time: hard rock, blues, and Led Zeppelin.
This album is so powerful it's not allowed to be played in the presence of explosive material. (Not really, but you get the point.) Led Zeppelin II is the mark by which all rock and blues musicians should set their standards.
To give you an idea of the album's wonder: about three months ago I was a die-hard fan of The Who, then on my birthday I was given the CD version of Led Zeppelin II and I became a die-hard Led Zeppelin fan. If you've ever been at a party or an outing and one of your friends has said something about Led Zeppelin, and you've been unaware or not fond of them (Led Zeppelin, not your friend), buy this album. You'll cherish it always.
I would recommend that you purchase this entire album, and not think of it as a Led Zeppelin album, but as a gateway to the many bands of that era that sounded like them; as a gateway to the many bands that have since been influenced by them; and to the younger readers out there, as a gateway into the world of rock & roll music.
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Led Zeppelin — Led Zeppelin II: Track-by-track review
1. "Whole Lotta Love"
This is possibly the most popular or most famous track on the album. It has a very heavy rock sound. The atmosphere is set by the simplistic riff ripped out of Page's guitar. It is a strong, bold song which is used to grab your attention long enough for you to hear the entire album.
"Whole Lotta Love" is a song about rude things, speaking about love not in the abstract, but rather its physical form. It's a cock-rock song that really has little or no meaning — not to say that makes for a bad song.
The usual things make this song great: the creative use of cymbals by John Paul Jones, the screeching vocals of Plant, the wonderful, driving bass drumming of Bonham and the always perfect and thoughtful riff of Page.
It's not one of my absolute favourites of the album, but I wouldn't think that as an insult to the song, rather a testament to the awesome songs following this one.
2. "What Is And What Should Never Be"
The soft, loungy introduction belies the power and ferocious nature of "What Is And What Should Never Be." This track shows the incredible range that the band had in their heyday.
Personally, this track is my favourite of the album. It's odd, it's psychedelic, it's beautiful. You can listen to this song over and over and still not be bored by it. "What Is And What Should Never Be" is the perfect combination of music: fast, slow, soft, hard, spaced-out, theatric.
I just love this song, and like many things in life, the ones you love the most you don't have enough words to explain. That's why I'm going to put it plain and simple: buy "What Is And What Should Never Be."
3. "The Lemon Song"
This song is no lemon.
"The Lemon Song" is a 12-bar blues song with a twist. In between the verses is a brilliant guitar solo by Page which will renew your faith that a weird British guy can play a six-string to a nub.
It's a relaxing song. You can anticipate the note that comes after the sequence you just listened to, and in that you can enjoy the song. It may seem simple, but sometimes in life the simple things are the most enjoyable. "The Lemon Song" is not an exception to the rule.
4. "Thank You"
"Thank You" is a very involved song. it features many instruments like organs, mandolins and the set four pieces the band always played.
It's one of those songs that puts a smile on your face every time you hear it. Not an amazing song, it's not going to incite the masses to rise against the government or anything, but that's part of its charm. It is, however, a song that always brings a feeling of contentment to me.
Whoever said "music can tame the savage beast" was listening to Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" when they said it. Buy this song, for those days when you need something to be thankful for.
5. "Heartbreaker"
Heaviest song of the album, indisputably. "Heartbreaker" is a few guitar chords, a few plucks at a bass note, some lyrics and some offbeat drumming. All true, but I mean that in a good way. Whatever it is about this song, it works.
The powerful chords progress slowly but surely and are soon joined by the rhythm section of the band. It's a song about an unfeeling, cheating girl who, funnily enough, is a "heartbreaker."
If you have a problem girlfriend, or boyfriend, listen to this song, find the lyrics and sing along a few times. If you still don't want to break it off with them, I'll send you a handwritten apology
6. "Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)"
To write reviews on www.Music-Nerds.com, it's generally necessary to listen to the songs a few times to be as accurate as possible in your descriptions. To be very honest, I wasn't looking forward to having to listen to this song. It was just by chance it flicked over to this song when I was polishing off "Heartbreaker."
I must not have given "Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)" a huge chance to win me over at first, but with fresh ears, I heard an entertaining song that is quite timeless. The song is a reminder of the music of the 1950's and early 60's, and maybe also a trendsetter for the rock & roll of the 70's. It's weird like that.
If, for whatever reason, you only want to get the songs that you'll instantly like, I wouldn't recommend this song, but perhaps if you could spare the change and space on your computer, I would say buy "Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)," put it in a cellar and age it two months or so. Then listen to it again and you'll find it's developed a much more palatable bouquet.
7. "Ramble On"
"Ramble On" is a playful little ditty which opens with Plant singing obscure lyrics over acoustic guitar and rich and deep electric bass. This is one of those songs that you just love and can drift off in your own thoughts and not hear a note of the song. It's magically deceptive, like a nursery rhyme for adults.
There's no doubt in my mind that you won't like this song. So I stamp it a knock-out bargain at any price.
8. "Moby Dick"
"Moby Dick" is entirely instrumental, and for the most part a drum solo. This is a very good song and quite the enjoyable one at that. There's not much to say about it, as there's not a prevailing theme or chord progression, and where there is guitar and bass, it's used more as a vehicle for the drum solo.
Don't let the lack of description fool you, "Moby Dick" is a great song, and I highly recommend it.
9. "Bring It On Home"
"Bring It On Home" is a musical pun. Being the last song of the album, it's actually bringing it on home, or to the end. This is a bluesy song that opens with a harmonica and bass guitar. It's sung like a classic blues musician, like Robert Johnson or Muddy Waters, or a bad impersonation of them.
It's a good, strong song which epitomizes the hard-rocking stylings of Led Zeppelin. It caps off the album very well, not too abruptly and not as a drawn-out time-filler, or a vehicle for the musicians' satisfaction rather than the audience's.
ant Mar 15, 2008 4:23 AM Quote ↓
Wow! They really got you, eh?!!
I still get the magic of getting into Zep nigh on 30 years ago whenever I listen to them.
Loved your reiew, keep it up, man! Ant