The Vinyl Brew: Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II

I know we usually like to start with a band’s debut album so we can enjoy the journey of their music together and although you should definitely check out ‘Led Zeppelin,’ it’s their second album that for me is that essence of the band’s sound. Coming with a much heavier sound Led Zeppelin II was the band’s first album to reach number 1 in the UK and the US. It would also be the band’s first time working with legendary engineer Eddie Kramer, whose resume reads like a list of the greatest musicians of all time, including Hendrix, The Beatles, Bowie and the Stones to name but a few. It would be the first of five Zeppelin albums that Kramer would work on and apparently the album was mixed in just two days.

I think the reason Paige and Plant are such incredible artists is their music speaks to the soul, it digs down deep and stirs up stuff you didn’t even know was there. Its easy to draw comparisons to the blues, from which they took so much inspiration, especially with two tracks on the album “Whole Lotta Love” and “The Lemon Song” taking lyrics from blues legends, Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon, but it’s more than that; they’ve made the sound almost epic and I guess that’s what led them to be one of the forerunners of stadium rock. Led Zeppelin II played no small part in that with massive pre-sales of up to 400,000, the album would reach the top spot in the US chart, knocking The Beatles’ Abbey Road off the top position. In the UK the album would, as well as reaching number one, stay on the charts for 138 weeks.

It’s hard to believe that Led Zeppelin had only been together just under two years when they released Led Zeppelin II. Although already talented musicians in their own right, it was Jimmy Paige’s failure to form his supergroup, which would have included Keith Moon and Jeff Beck, that led to the formation of what would become one of the greatest groups of all time.

So, who is this album for? Well, if you like blues, rock, great guitar and fantastic lyrics, then you probably already have this in your collection. If any of that stuff sounds like something you’d like to explore then Zeppelin II might be just what you’re after. Insane vocals & guitar playing from a God, just sit back and enjoy. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the band and the album so head over to our Twitter @vinyl8records and let us know what you think and as we end today let’s just let the guys wail away on “Whole Lotta Love”.

“You need cooling


Baby I'm not fooling
I'm gonna send ya

Back to schooling”

Till next time,
T

Next Sunday's brew is Björk's Debut. Why not add this gem to your collection so we can listen together next week!