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THE REVIEW
I feel like crying when I comment on this album. And you don't know how much! But I don't cry because this album "reminds me of the past," not because of how bad it is, but because it was made by Led Zeppelin! If someone knows Led Zeppelin meaning "Stairway To Heaven", surely when they listen to this mess, they won't say it sounds like Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin surely knew how to do better, and the best is certainly not "In Through The Out Door".
How I would love to talk about the cover... it's definitely well done and has nothing to do with the content of this album. However, I don't think it's the case to offend any further, also because this album does have a few redeeming qualities. Take for example the opening track, "In The Evening". It doesn’t give the idea of what's to come. If they had put this piece on one of the previous albums, I might have judged it better, but I judge it for what it is, and not for what it "could be." This song highlights John Paul Jones' keyboards, which will be the basic element of most of the songs on this album. Even though certainly "In The Evening" is not like "Stairway To Heaven", it's interesting and should not be underestimated; on the contrary: in many parts, Page's guitar seems to shine as it had never done before, delivering an authentic and noisy solo. The beginning is comforting, but right from the next track, "South Bound Saurez" you feel a light pop air: although fun, the piece already partly disappoints the expectations of those who hoped this might be a memorable or at least good album. Then, starting from "Fool In The Rain", patience hits its limit: if you wanted to compare the Rio carnival, you could compare it with this absolutely forgettable piece: the track with a pop melody at a certain point becomes a carnival of whistles, percussion, and piano. Disappointing. The next track, "Hot Dog" is also negligible, a piece for piano, drums, and guitar, which feels much like filler. Side b opens with "Carouselambra", 10 minutes filled with Jones' indefinite keyboards. This song has some interesting cues, but it is too long and ambitious and fails to stand out. With "All My Love" we continue the usual routine, a piece absolutely devoid of consistency that goes too far into pop. The concluding track, "I'm Gonna Crawl", represents one of the very few interesting episodes, a heartfelt blues for guitar and strings, sung by Plant with grit and participation. An interesting piece, but one that cannot sustain an uninteresting album, certainly a misstep in Led Zeppelin's discography.
After this album, on September 25, 1980, a sad event occurred: Bonzo was found dead in his home. The Led decide that continuing would make no sense, and they disband. Some tracks recorded during the period of "In Through The Out Door" (but also of "Led Zeppelin II" and "Houses Of The Holy") will end up on the posthumous album "Coda" (1982), undoubtedly more interesting than "In Through The Out Door".
I hope you'll agree with me on this review.
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Summary by Bot
The review expresses deep disappointment in Led Zeppelin's 'In Through The Out Door,' considering it a weak album compared to their earlier work. While it acknowledges some redeeming tracks like 'In The Evening' and 'I'm Gonna Crawl,' the overall pop influences and lengthy tracks like 'Carouselambra' detract from the album's impact. The reviewer reflects on the album's place in the band's legacy, especially in light of drummer John Bonham's death and the band's subsequent breakup.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in 1968 by Jimmy Page with Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. They became one of the most influential rock groups of the late 1960s and 1970s; the band disbanded after John Bonham's death in 1980.109 Reviews
Other reviews
By Miki Page
It’s regrettable that the Zep left us with such an awful album (definitely the worst in their discography), at times even embarrassing.
When I listen to ‘All My Love’ I think: it’s not us, it’s not us.
By abe90
To truly appreciate 'In Through The Out Door', one must forget or at least avoid comparisons with previous albums.
'In Through The Out Door' is the last stage of the journey; an experimental work that leaves us a bit puzzled but certainly signals an artistic and concert rebirth of Led Zeppelin.
By claudio carpentieri
The smoky introductory keyboards and Plant’s warm vocal lament are enough to launch 'In The Evening', a solid blend of sounds that makes everything majestic and imposing.
A record, therefore, that certainly does not disgrace itself if placed alongside the numerous masterpieces that preceded it.
By Randall
Jimmy Page delivers one of his most incisive riffs and an excellent solo; Robert Plant’s outstanding vocal performance imparts an almost epic tone.
'All My Love' is probably the emotional peak of the album, a poignant tribute to Plant’s late son, with impactful music by John Paul Jones.
