Hmm...my brain is thinking about random stuff...like how I managed to get away with doing my website while using a stranger's computer (I was on holiday, you see, and I felt an intensive need to use the hotel's computer to write a review). And also how maybe listening to this album makes me a hypocrite, because I always say, "Watch the first movie before you see the sequel!"
Or maybe that rule doesn't apply with albums...
At any rate - this is one of those rare albums where I say, "Not only did I enjoy it, I thoroughly enjoyed it." When I got it, I was just expecting an average Led Zeppelin album. Not that Led Zeppelin does any really average albums, mind you. Just that I thought Led Zeppelin II would be their typical mix of awesome numbers and a few less-awesome songs. Well, admittedly their second album could fit that description, but it was more than that. Led Zeppelin II takes me to a different world. I only have three Zeppelin albums, but this is the only one of them that actually does that. The songs seem to come in two flavors: light and emotional, or heavier and bluesy. (Is bluesy even a word? I don't care, though, as I am a words-inventer as well as an albums-reviewer.)
Actually, something tells me I ought to stop "rambling on" (ha ha, more time for that later), and let the songs speak for themselves now.
Whole Lotta Love: This is a good, bluesy opening for this album. That drum solo in the middle is weird. But I like it, possibly because of that reason. On with the awesome songs! (By the way - did you ever notice that "American Woman" sounds almost exactly like this?)
What Is and What Should Never Be: I like this song's title. It sounds like a quote or something. This sounds like the sort of thing I listen to while trying to "lose my mind" (that is, where I turn off my mind, relax and float downstream). Hey, guess what? This is the sort of thing I listen to while losing my mind! Brilliant!
The Lemon Song: Do I have to write about this one? Please...I'm sure it's not really about lemons...Well, I'll give it to them for an awesome riff and a cool guitar solo. And that gong at the beginning adds something.
Thank You:This album's songs come in two flavors, as I have said. "Cool" and "pretty". This is one of the pretty ones. Seriously, though, it is rather beautiful. I also like the part at the end, where it sounds like it's going to fade out, but then it comes back in.
Heartbreaker: The riff is awesome. And I like hearing John Paul Jones's bass. This could be because the bass is my instrument. I feel my instrument is under-represented. (Unless you're Paul McCartney or Roger Waters or somebody...doesn't it feel good when the bassist is the lead singer or something?) I also like the guitar solo in the middle. Nice improvisational work. Very nice. Leading us into -
Livin' Lovin' Maid (She's Just a Woman): "Woah this is a cool song!" First thing I said upon hearing this album! You see, Led Zeppelin's so good I can tell I'm going to like them from the very start! I told you so. You can't go wrong with Led Zeppelin. Unless they're doing their pathetic closer for their next album. Yay Zeppelin.
Ramble On: Well I guess this is one of the "pretty songs". Well, it's not bluesy or anything like the previous two numbers, is it? It's about Lord of the Rings...that's a good thing. I like Lord of the Rings. I used to write songs about Lord of the Rings. Except then I found out that Led Zeppelin was doing that...so I stopped. I like this song.
Moby Dick: This is the part where Bonzo shows off his super-sweet drumming skills. Skills...you gotta have good skills... (Maybe I shouldn't watch Napoleon Dynamite so much anymore.) Anyway, the Led Zeppelin fans like it, which is good enough for me. I just don't care for it so much. Bonzo's done better drumming. Bonzo...I used to think you called clowns Bonzo. Except then I learned who Bonzo is. I told my bass teacher and he gave me a stern talking-to. (No, I'm kidding. There was no talking-to. He just laughed and then taught me how to play "All My Loving".)
Bring It On Home: At first, I thought, "Oh, come on, guys! Couldn't you have come up with a better track to end the album with?" Except then the slow part stopped. And the fast part happened. And I said: "Okay, nevermind, this is a great closer!" Which it indeed is. This song is fantastic! It makes me feel like getting up and dancing! Which is something I NEVER feel like! Why is it Led Zeppelin brings out my best emotions! Anyway - an awesometastic closer to an awesometastic album! Go Zeppelin! Yay.
Best tracks: The Lemon Song, Thank You, Livin' Lovin' Maid (She's Just a Woman) and Bring it On Home.
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