Happy 45th Anniversary to Led Zeppelin’s eighth & final studio album In Through The Door, originally released August 15, 1979.
Originally published on Albumism August 10, 2024
Led Zeppelin’s In Through The Out Door, the band’s swan song, is a bittersweet closing chapter of one of the most iconic rock bands in history. This album marked a significant departure from their earlier work, reflecting not only the band’s experimental tendencies but also the profound personal and professional challenges they faced during that period. To truly grasp the essence of In Through The Out Door, one must delve into the circumstances that shaped its creation.
The band’s previous album, Physical Graffiti (1975), had garnered both commercial success and critical acclaim, making it a favorite among many. The album’s title bore witness to the band’s grief and challenges following the untimely passing of Robert Plant’s son, Karac, in 1977. The tragedy had a profound impact on the lead vocalist, resulting in a complete transformation of the band’s music in terms of its themes. Led Zeppelin, like many others, became tax exiles by residing outside of their home country to evade paying back taxes. Due to the government’s high taxation policy on their earnings, the band was unable to perform in England for two years.
The band’s problems were compounded by guitarist Jimmy Page’s escalating heroin addiction, which was becoming more concerning and debilitating. Not to be outdone, drummer John Bonham struggled with both a heroin addiction and a debilitating drinking problem. Despite these challenges, Led Zeppelin persevered and began working on In Through The Out Door at ABBA’s Polar Studios in Stockholm, Sweden in September 1978. Introducing innovative technology in this environment opened up endless possibilities for their music, transforming the way they created and captured their sound.
The recording of the album took place during a period when the musical landscapes were undergoing significant changes. Punk rock, new wave, and even disco, which was being shoved out the door, were outshining the heavy metal sound. In my mind, I always thought the biggest threat to the group was bands like Van Halen. For lack of a better term, they were a de facto Zeppelin 2.0: a charismatic frontman, guitar god, and songs everyone could sing along with. In Through The Out Door can be seen as their way of responding to the changing musical landscape while still staying true to their distinctive style in several ways.
When it comes to the music, In Through The Out Door diverges from Led Zeppelin’s earlier creations. This album deviated from their earlier works, incorporating a variety of musical genres instead of solely relying on heavy guitar riffs, complex time signatures, and mind-blowing vocals. Using synthesizers, for instance, showcases the band’s willingness to embrace contemporary musical trends. Van Halen tried the same thing with their 1984 LP.
The shift in musical direction was spearheaded by bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones, who co-wrote six of the album’s seven tracks. Jones’ heavy participation was because Page’s substance abuse made him an unreliable member of the group, often showing up late or not at all for the sessions. In an interview with Rolling Stone’s Mikal Gilmore, Jones said, “there were two distinct camps by then, and we (Plant and I) were in the relatively clean one.”
The skillful use of keyboards in In Through The Out Door enhances its overall atmosphere and experimental nature. Using his skills as a multi-instrumentalist, John Paul Jones skillfully combines the harmonies of moogs, pianos, and synthesizers, resulting in a mesmerizing soundscape of diverse textures. This is clear in tracks like “All My Love,” which features poignant melodies and heartfelt lyrics that encapsulate Plant’s grief over his son’s death. “Fool in the Rain” exemplifies the album’s genre blending of jazz and Latin rhythms. It is definitely not your typical Led Zeppelin record.
The lyrics featured across In Through The Out Door delve into themes of loss, longing, and introspection. Songs such as the previously mentioned “All My Love” and “I’m Gonna Crawl” reveal a vulnerability that was somewhat atypical for Led Zeppelin. The tracks showcase the contrasting songwriting styles of Jones and Page.
Plant’s vocals remain one of the standout aspects of the album. When the album was released, the response from critics ranged from glowing to scornful. Rolling Stone’s Charles M. Young’s scathing review was brutal to all involved. He wrote, “Sadly, Bonham’s exuberance on In Through The Out Door is matched only by Robert Plant’s appetite for inanity. Never a power as a lyric writer, Plant has followed a simple pattern in his singing: when Jimmy Page gave him great guitar riffs to phrase around, Plant was great. When Page didn’t, Plant wasn’t.” On the brighter side, The Village Voice’s Robert Christgau had this to say, “The tuneful synthesizer pomp on side two confirms my long-held belief that this is a real good art-rock band, and their title for the first ten minutes or so, ‘Carouselambra,’ suggests that they find this as humorous as I do. The lollapalooza hooks on the first side confirms the world’s long-held belief that this is a real good hard rock band. Lax in the lyrics department, as usual, but their best since Houses Of The Holy.”
In Through The Out Door demonstrates Led Zeppelin’s ability to adapt and grow, solidifying their enduring legacy. While it may not bear the same raw power as IV or Physical Graffiti, In Through The Out Door stands as a significant entry in their discography because it offers one of those musical “what-ifs.” Suppose Bonham did not tragically pass away in 1980. Would the band have continued on the path they did on In Through The Out Door or mine the same territory explored on Physical Graffiti?
