Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II

In the States the band quickly gained a foothold, first as a support act, but on the second round as the main act, with long, aggressive sets with plenty of room for improvisation. The songs for the second album were created quickly, but there was hardly any time to record. It may therefore be called a miracle that Led Zeppelin II sounds so coherent.

The nine songs were recorded in six different studios and the album was released barely six months after the debut. The record opens just as impressive as the debut: the opening chords of Whole Lotta Love (for which Plant borrowed the lyrics from Willie Dixon, which would cause problems) are among the most famous rock riffs of all time. The hard-soft contrast is nicely reflected in What Is And What Should Never Be and Ramble On, while the blues roots are again sought out on The Lemon Song.

They do that again on Bring It On Home; by the way, those songs are generously quoted from blues classics. Thank You is a gentle declaration of love from Plant to his (then) wife. No, then Heartbreaker, with that typical groovy riff that has become Led Zeppelin's trademark. Moby Dick also has a riff that you will never forget, although that was mainly a prelude to a long drum solo live. Maybe their best record. But you can also say that about the others ...