Led Zeppelin — II

Led Zeppelin’s second record album is a sonic tour de force, from Jimmy Page’s sledgehammer riffs to Robert Plant hitting high notes that only a dog could hear. John Bonham gets his moment too, beating the absolute crap out of his kit on “Moby Dick.” Led Zeppelin II continues to show the band’s deep love and fascination with American Blues. The album is brimming with powerhouse re-workings of songs from Chicago bluesmen Willie Dixon (his “You Need Love” becomes “Whole Lotta Love”) and Howlin’ Wolf (“Killing Floor” morphs into “The Lemon Song”).

Side 1:

1. Whole Lotta Love (5:34)
2. What Is And What Should Never Be (4:44)
3. The Lemon Song (6:19)
4. Thank You (4:47)

Side 2:

1. Heartbreaker (4:14)
2. Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman) (2:39)
3. Ramble On (4:23)
4. Moby Dick (4:21)
5. Bring It On Home (4:20)

Written in snatches between shows on the band’s relentless 1969 tour, Led Zeppelin II was the band’s first album to hit number-one in the U.S., knocking The Beatles’ White Album out of the top spot. It’s hard to believe now, but the critics were mixed in their reviews of Zep’s second album — but nobody can say that Led Zeppelin II didn’t out-heavy the heaviest bands of the day. One of Jimmy Page’s art school buddies, David Juniper, designed the iconic Led Zeppelin II album cover, based on a vintage World War photo of the Jagdstaffel 11 Division of the German Air Force. Check out this great article, 50 Facts About Led Zeppelin’s Iconic Album Covers.