Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin's second long player was recorded in a relatively short amount of time. It was tracked, mixed and produced in different studios during breaks between the band's 1969 European/American tour. From start to finish it captures the developing energy, confidence and prowess of a young, phenomenal hard rock band on the rise. "Thank You" is so beautiful and romantic, that proto head-bangers like "Whole Lotta Love" with its mind melting, psychedelic breakdown almost seem out of place. II also furthered the band's epic, electric, bastardization of the blues while drawing the blueprints of metal.

Hey, man, I take it all back! This is one fucking heavyweight of the album! OK -- I'll concede
that until you've listened to the album eight hundred times, as I have, it seems as if it's just
one especially heavy song extended over the space of two whole sides. But, hey! you've
got to admit that the Zeppelin has their distinctive and enchanting formula down
stone-cold, man. Like you get the impression they could do it in their sleep. And... More >

The best of the wah-wah mannerist groups, so dirty they drool on demand. It's true that all the songs sound alike, but do we hold that against Little Richard? On the other hand, Robert Plant isn't Little Richard. (Grade: B)