In Through the Out Door

This has always felt like one of the most misunderstood Led Zeppelin albums to me. If you go into In Through the Out Door expecting another Physical Graffiti or Led Zeppelin IV, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you take it for what it is — a late-era Zeppelin record trying different things while the band was clearly changing — there’s actually a lot to appreciate here.

The biggest difference is how much of the album revolves around John Paul Jones. The keyboards and synths are everywhere, and honestly I think that’s what gives the album its identity. It has a warmer, more reflective feel compared to the heavier earlier records. Songs like “In the Evening” still bring the classic Zeppelin power, but tracks like “South Bound Saurez” and “Fool in the Rain” show a band willing to experiment instead of repeating themselves.

“Fool in the Rain” especially has grown on me over the years. That groove is completely addictive and somehow still sounds unique even after all these years. And “All My Love” hits harder once you know the story behind it. There’s a sadness hanging over parts of this album that makes it feel different from anything else in their catalog.

The vinyl experience really adds to it too. This is one of those records that sounds better the later it gets at night. Not every track is perfect, and you can definitely hear a band going through a difficult period, but there’s something honest about it that keeps me coming back.

It may not be peak Zeppelin, but it’s far better than the reputation it sometimes gets.

A different kind of Zeppelin album, but one that deserves way more appreciation than it usually gets.