LED ZEPPELIN II

This record is among the most classic ones regarding visceral hard rock music. The music here is more than simple hard rock: there is a soul, a legend behind this stuff, as reveal Robert Plant's strident and visceral screams, Jimmy Page's twisted electric guitar effects and John Bonham's unusual drumming style. MANY parts of the record sound a little bit blues rock, like the songs "What is and what would never be" and "The lemon song", which clearly remind the Jimi Hendrix's stuff, among others. The sound of the rhythmic guitar is very good for the year: it has sufficient power & "razorness", and it is very well supported by a loud & bottom bass, which is amazingly elaborated and bluesy. The drums are pretty loud and they really sound HEAVY, echoed & visceral, ABSOLUTELY not jazzy: Bonham's drums are the best example of how can be a typical hard rock drum sound! "Thank you" contains a subtle organ treatment that should not leave you indifferent! I am almost certain at 98% that "Heartbreaker" was a direct inspiration for the Rush's first album: the sound and the style are AMAZINGLY similar! "Moby Dick" shows how talented Bonham was on drums: one can hear him perfectly play with his hands: just notice the perfect synchronization! I am sure Neil Peart was inspired from this drum solo! The last track "Bring it on home" has an interesting mix of blues and hard rock played with harmonica.

Rating: 4.5 stars