From Yardbirds to the New Yardbirds to a drastic name change, major label contract (Atlantic Records w/ $200,000 advance!), and a US tour followed by an eponymous 1969 debut album, Led Zeppelin quickly established itself in the rock world and stupendous success, both critical and commercial, was imminent. Amidst the whirlwind of live dates, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, & gang began recording their sophomore effort, Led Zeppelin II, and the lead singer puts it best when he says: "it was crazy really." It's the speedy, spontaneous process (they recorded in hotel rooms, hole in the wall studios, in between concerts, etc.) that gives this influential, heavy album its urgency, and the riff-based, blues-driven sound is timeless and iconic. Includes "whole Lotta Love," "Heartbreaker," "Ramble On," "What Is And What Should Never Be," and more.

• 180g pressing
• remastered from original tapes
• music label: Atlantic 1969 / 2014

reviewed by nakaveli 08/2017