Led Zeppelin II Review: Heavy Blues Thunder
8.5/10 — Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Pros
- 'Whole Lotta Love'
- Page's riffs
- Bonham's drumming
Cons
- Uncredited borrowing
- Some less original tracks
Led Zeppelin II was recorded on the road in studios across the US and UK, then mixed in New York. It was a huge hit and helped define hard rock.
What works
‘Whole Lotta Love’, ‘Heartbreaker’ and ‘Ramble On’ are classic, and Jimmy Page’s riffs and John Bonham’s drums are devastating. Robert Plant’s wail and John Paul Jones’s bass add depth.
Where it falters
Some of the blues is borrowed without credit, which led to lawsuits, and a few tracks are less original.
Verdict
A heavy, thrilling and influential album.
