Led Zeppelin II [Remastered]
by Led Zeppelin
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jun 3, 2014
Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. Austin Chronicle
    Jul 17, 2014
    67
    Led Zeppelin II binds the biggest and baddest of the group's heavyweight first chapter with the thinest of extras, 33 minutes of early mixes and backing tracks.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Jun 19, 2014
    88
    From a purely sonic standpoint, these new versions are impossible to disregard.... The bonus material on Led Zeppelin II and III is more revelatory, showcasing the band’s creative process through assorted alternate takes and rough mixes.
  3. Q Magazine
    Jun 19, 2014
    100
    Upgrading previous remasterings, Page's personal touch brings out even more detail.... Each album's companion disc supplies both pleasure and an education. [Jul 2014, p.120]
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  5. Pitchfork
    Jun 12, 2014
    100
    The bonus disc is a mildly interesting amalgam of alternate mixes and rough takes--the kind of stuff anyone but the most dedicated obsessives will listen to only once--and there’s little advance here lyrically from the debut, but II is still close to perfect.
  6. American Songwriter
    Jun 11, 2014
    100
    Little more needs to be emphasized about the lasting importance of these prototypes other than this third reissue tweaks the sound with Page’s new remastering revealing nuances in the playing and arrangements that further enhance their already substantial historical cachet.
  7. AllMusic
    Jun 5, 2014
    100
    While Led Zeppelin II doesn't have the eclecticism of the group's debut, it's arguably more influential. After all, nearly every one of the hundreds of Zeppelin imitators used this record, with its lack of dynamics and its pummeling riffs, as a blueprint.
  8. The Quietus
    Jun 5, 2014
    100
    This is an incredibly sexy album and the grooves contained within it are deep and wide.... The companion disc in this package offers an intriguing insight in the creation of Led Zeppelin II and one that highlights both the production skills of Jimmy Page and the musical contributions of his cohorts.
  9. Rolling Stone
    Jun 5, 2014
    90
    II was still tied to straight-blues sources (the Willie Dixon elements in "Whole Lotta Love"). But the alternate takes highlight Robert Plant's ripening vocal poise and, in a rough mix of "Ramble On," the decisive, melodic force of John Paul Jones' bass and John Bonham's drumming.
  10. Consequence
    Jun 5, 2014
    91
    LZII could’ve used a live version or two to highlight the energy of the late ’60s--an era that remains especially mythical for those of us who weren’t there. As a two-disc set, though, this reissue is both a reminder of the original album’s wallop and a closer look at the alchemy of a band increasingly attuned to ideas of progression.
  11. Uncut
    Jun 5, 2014
    80
    Page's notion of what might catch the ear was eccentric, but generally infallible. Duly, these remasters aren't asking you to extend your idea of the Zeppelin canon, but retract it--to realise why the albums have the power and mystery they do. [Jul 2014, p.86]
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User Reviews

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User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 127 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 132
  3. Negative: 5 out of 132
  1. Heaf
    Jun 12, 2019
    10
    A masterpiece of rock and roll. Out of the 8 studio albums I would place this one 2nd.
  2. JoBeGo2021
    Aug 15, 2021
    10
    This one's my favorite. People gripe about this one being derivative but the lifted tracks that interpolate the album are heavily augmented &This one's my favorite. People gripe about this one being derivative but the lifted tracks that interpolate the album are heavily augmented & serve as suites that beautifuly open up & close down this set. My laying out the album below (I did not alter the track sequence in anyway) shows this. It also would have avoided any lawsuits;

    Side 1;
    Opening suite:
    a) You need love (Waters)
    b) The bridge
    c) You need love (Reprise, Waters)
    What is & what should never be
    The Killing floor (aka the Lemon song)
    Thank you

    Side 2.

    Middle suite;
    a) Heatbreaker
    b) Livin' Lovin' Maid
    Ramble on
    Moby Dick
    Closing suite;
    Bring it on home (Harpo)
    Bring it back home
    Bring it on home (Reprise, Harpo)

    I know this is just window dressing, but it shows how
    impressive the layout of this album is. I consider the sequencing of this as impressive as it's contents. As good as anything put out by any progressive rock groups from the '70's (that would include the Who). Light/Shade @ it's best.

    OK, the contents. You may call this a transitional album. I'll argue back that w Jeep (my nickname for Jimmy Page) at the helm there is no such thing as a grab bag, cobblekill or what ever. "You need love" uses only a shell of Muddy Waters original w the riff being Page's & the bridge being all Zep. "What is & what should never be" is the initial Page/ Plant offering & blows cold & hot w a tremendous coda. "Heartbreaker" goes for a call & response funk strut before Page unleashes one of the most blistering guitar breaks ever. This is followed by a succession of ideas that will move your house down the street. It THEN returns to the funk strut MID BAR & ends MID BAR....(One upping Keith Richards guitar break ending on the first beat on the Rolling Stones cover of "Talking 'bout you")….... from there it breaks out into a taunt "Living loving Maid" easily the most light weight track on the album following the heaviest track on the album. So there you have it, people, one the greatest rock tracks in history followed by a well keyed in ditty that accentuates the variety on this disk. "Ramble on"....need I? This one's the highlight of an album full of them. As with "What is..." it supplies subtlety after rattling your teeth with the previous suite. Robert Plant's singing very gradually taxi's out in a manner similar to "All of my love" ten years later, both were improvised and indicated that he can sing as well as scream. "Moby Dick" while not as over powering as Cream's "Toad" is equally impressive in that it supplies it's own version of light/shade w it's subtle changes in accenting. As performed by John B. w his BARE HANDS no less. This track is much more than a para-diddle clinic on speed. Finally there's Zeppelin using "Bring it on home" the same way Chuck Barris would use a '39 Chevy; Only the shell is used to house a tremendous workout between Jeep, John B., John-Paul & Robert Plant. It easily could have been a stand alone track w/out the Harpo intro and outro.    … Full Review »
  3. SwitSwat
    Apr 18, 2016
    10
    A masterpiece of classic hard rock and definitely one of the best albums of the 60's.

    (Some Highlights from the Album) -Whole Lotta Love-    A masterpiece of classic hard rock and definitely one of the best albums of the 60's.

    (Some Highlights from the Album)
    -Whole Lotta Love-
    -The Lemon Song-
    -What Is and What Should Never Be-    … Full Review »
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