Led Zeppelin
Coda

THE REVIEW

After the modest In Through The Out Door, which, despite not being up to the previous ones, achieves great success, the Led seek to improve and go on tour. Page himself said: "after the release of in through... Bonzo and I were already discussing plans for a new album with a stronger rock orientation". In short: the Led would not accept defeat, and there was still hope that the four would improve themselves and their sound. But troubles were already beginning. In 1980 (perhaps July), Bonzo collapsed unconscious from the drums after just three songs. After the tour, Bonzo blames it on physical exhaustion. Shows are already scheduled for the fall, but on September 25, 1980, a terrible event occurs: John Bonham is found dead. The rest of the group, deeply shocked, don’t even consider continuing and on December 4, 1980, they announce the fall of the Zeppelin.
But it's not over yet: there’s still room for one last sign from the four: Coda. The album wasn't made out of a desire to do so, but because there were contractual obligations that tied the band to Atlantic (the agreement made in 1974 with Atlantic stipulated that Led Zeppelin would release five albums under the Swan Song label, and they had made 4, including the live The Song Remains The Same), and this album included tracks left out during 12 years of activity.

The first three tracks come from the recordings of Led Zeppelin I, II, and III, i.e., during the moment of glory. "We're Gonna Groove" is an enjoyable rock blues with the carefree drumming of the deceased Bonzo and the decidedly bluesy guitar. "Poor Tom," the following track, comes from the third album (it is indeed acoustic), characterized by Bonzo's heavy drumming and the folk atmosphere that surrounded the band at that time. Although recorded during the memorable "III," this song feels much like a filler. The third track is a beautiful classic: it is the live version from January 9, 1970, of the classic blues "I Can't Quit You Babe," one of the exemplary tracks from "I." "Walter's Walk" is very effective and interesting and comes from the sessions of Houses Of the Holy, bombarded by Bonzo's aggressive drumming and Page's main riffs. "Ozone Babe," incredibly enough, comes from In Through The Out Door, a pleasant rock'n'roll tune that is not to be dismissed, thanks to a worthy performance by the four. Darlene is also part of the recording sessions of the same album, and this piece too manages to stand out from its origin, also rock'n'roll. "Bonzo's Montreux," dedicated from the title to the legendary Bonham, is a sonic experiment based on Bonzo's drumming and electronic effects created by Page, recorded in September 1976, i.e., after the Presence period. The last track, "Wearing And Tearing," is magnificent: although it comes from In Through The Out Door, the song boasts an incredible hard rock with Bonzo's relentless drumming, Plant's raw and hard voice, Jones's precise technique, and Page's heavy riffs.

All things considered, Coda is not as bad as one might think and offers a posthumous album that is uneven in quality but not to be discarded: worth rediscovering. However, the rating is considered to be a 3.5.