Pioneering heavy rock milestone

Where also the first work was published in the same year, brought the "Zep Four 'with' Led Zeppelin II 'a landmark for her career as important as for the music album out. While still 'Led Zeppelin (I)' the Blues / Blues-rock influences could not deny the successor is the logical development of her style and put the group their personal stamp on it. While still Blue Rock, but were heard in a much broader spectrum, in a successful blend of style, Blues, Hard, folk-rock and even the first Heavy Metal influences.

The 'Led Zeppelin II' boasting some surprises already shows the opener 'Whole Lotta Love', which probably needs no further explanation. Similar to 'Stairyway to Heaven' and 'Kashmir' is one of the songs that have well branded most the group, even if it is not in spite of "Top of the Pops" theme song (since now now 35 years, in different variations) by far so worn out sounds like the others mentioned. Most notable is of course the legendary central portion which repeatedly caused especially in live performances for improvisation possibilities (like so much else in Zep)

'What Is And What Should Never Be' is again something bluesy than the first track, but has a lot of feeling and stands out due to Robert Plant's unique vocals. Also one of the top numbers on the first page.

As a reminder of the previous album is 'The Lemon Song' a typical blues-rock number, with heavy bass and Plants too-familiar blues vocals. Despite the hard guitar in some parts rather something to relax.

Finally and finally the first page ends with 'Thank You', and yes, really, really thank you for this song. What would humanity without Led Zeppelin's ingenious acoustic numbers, and 'Thank you' is, for acoustic fans, probably the best track on the entire album. Right to compassion, and thanks Plants Säusel voice for the girls right to melt away. The chorus is particularly nice with background vocals.

The second side of the album (or the second half of the CD) starts again and hard rock and blues with 'Hear Breaker', although the song is not as fast as 'Whole Lotta Love'. Best known as to describe Heavy Blues Hard Rock. Especially herausstechend is Jimmy Page guitar solo in the middle.

On the other hand is a little faster 'Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)', which really fun and really stimulates the hair shaking. Once again, with additional vocals of the other band members and a glossy rock and roll number on the second page.

And there it is again, the obligatory acoustic piece. 'Ramble On', which again has Lord of the Rings references (or have to ... to Blind Guardian they are rather well hidden ...) and slowly begins acoustically before it towards the end in the chorus again harder to business goes and takes along properly. Fabulous guitar, to experiment sound and a brilliant voice of Plant make it an inevitable part of any best-of.

'Moby Dick' is inevitably associated with the drummer John Bonham, because he has the piece most marked. Without vocal support of Plant go here first known blues-hard rock to the point before Bonham gets going with one of his infamous drum solos. How 'How the West Was Won' shows degenerates the whole even in half-hour orgy of, and the fascination can in my opinion only Live or captured in live recordings, but nevertheless a highlight of the CD.

With 'Bring It On Home' comes back a blues-rock number that brings the second side and hence the whole album to a conclusion.

Although the Blue influences are far more clearly felt than on later albums, there is still a full five stars, only because of the good feeling one has after listening, and the brilliant acoustic tracks on the CD. Who it has not yet, and next to the unnamed something from Led Zeppelin would have in the cabinet, can not ignore this disc. And who is not a fan of Zep Four, it could be through.