In Through the out Door

Original.

Few bands can claim to have a GOOD last album. Most of the time they're often the weakest of all the material a group puts out (The Beatles and Cream being the primary examples in my mind). But not Led Zeppelin. True, this technically isn't their very last album, but it was the last one all four members created before Bonzo's tragic demise. Most people DO criticize this album as the weakest Zeppelin put out (except for CODA, but whether that really counts as an album seems debatable). I completely disagree. In fact, I dare say this was one of Zeppelin's stronger releases. It seems to me much more organized than the previous release Presence, and overall in my opinion has a better sound to it. A lot of people complain about the excessive use of synthesizers by Zeppelin on this one, and I will admit at times it is a bit much. However, I think it's pulled off rather well, and it's a nice change for Zeppelin. Many of the tracks do seem experimental(Carouselambra being the main culprit), but it does leave one curious as to what would have happened had Zeppelin fully refined the use of synthesizers. Either way, the tracks on the record are all great. Highlights include In the Evening, the aforementioned synthesizer-fueled Carouselambra and All of My Love. The signature Zeppelin guitar riffs luckily are not totally lost in the stew of synthesizers. Plant sings quite well, not as youthfully as he did in the seven prior releases, but still good enough to carry the album through. Bonzo is amazing as always, and Page does his best with his guitar wizardry, though John Paul Jone's synth riffs do challenge him more than on any other Zeppelin album. Overall, I think this is a much-underrated album. It was Zeppelin's last, and it is arguably their most unique. It's no ZOSO, but it's certainly a worthy purchase, and will certainly stand out among your Zeppelin albums.

Excellent music

GREAT

This was the last album released by the entire group; drummer John Bonham passed away shortly after the release of In through the Out Door (1979). Although I do not rank this up there with my favorites by Led Zeppelin (III; Houses of the Holy; side 3 (vinyl LP) of Physical Graffiti), there is enough of the Led Zeppelin “thing” on this album that I generally liked it. Come to think of it, I really liked the tune All of my Love back in the day, so this album also has sentimental value. The album has an overall softer sound to it and seems to me to be more reflective. I don’t mind this one bit – Led Zeppelin always had a softer side to them, so it really was not that much a departure. I think the playing on the album is actually very good and Jimmy Page got some great tones out of the electric guitar. I also like the use of synthesizers too (mostly Yamaha GX-1) – it lends the album an atmospheric feel. The greater use of synthesizers likely reflects the fact that John Paul Jones (and Robert Plant) did most of the writing. At the time, Jimmy Page and John Bonham were struggling with substance abuse problems. The only track on the album that did not sit well with me was the rockabilly of Hot Dog – although I appreciate the fact that the group was trying to shake things up a bit, this one tune did not work for me. This remastered version is awesome and attempts to recreate the old LP. The "LP sleeve" comes in the original brown paper wrapper and there is a small booklet that has photos of the group. The sound quality is generally pretty good although it sounds as if the levels of various instruments have been fiddled with. For example, the (admittedly) cheesy synth sounds on Carouselambra have been pushed further down i the mix. Overall though, the general sound is as I remember it. All in all, this is a decent album that has a least a few gems on it. It is a little quieter than other Led Zeppelin albums but has enough of the Led Zeppelin sound that it makes for a pretty enjoyable listen.

What can you say about any Led Zeppelin album? Each is simply amazing. Since the late 60’s I have owned all the Zeppelin albums. I have had them on vinyl (including the few singles they released), 8-track, cassette, CD, and digital. Recently I have started to collect the vinyl albums again. This time remastered, and at 180 grams. It’s so nice to hold a vinyl album in your hands, and look at the artwork. Not to mention how it sounds. I love how In Through The Out Door came with the insert and paper bag. The way it did decades ago. As far as the shipping and the way it was packed was A+. The vinyl album is well protected.

Great Album. Greatest band!

Vinyl plays perfect 0 skips, Led Zeppelin’s last stroke of a masterpiece, sadly the death of John bonzo Bonham is what made the band break up forever the following year in 1980. This album is truly amazing and shows the lengths of which zeppelin has truly evolved into, shame they didn’t continue thru the 80s RIP BONZO

Produto excelente e bem embalado. Um clássico esquecido do Led.

C'est un très bon album de LZ, il doit certainement être dans une collection. C'est la chose que je voudrais dire tout d'abord, pour que le reste ne parait pas trop ambigu. On critique souvent ce disque : "...il n'est pas au niveau de ces meilleurs albums". Peut-être. Chacun a ces préférences, moi aussi - ce sont LZII et "HOTH". Et moi aussi, j'ai pensé que cet album est un peu derrière les autres. Mais mon avis est changé. La magie de LZ y est présente, elle n'est pas la même qu'ailleurs. Les musiciens avaient, apparemment, plus de liberté quand ils faisaient ces premières disques. Ici, le moment était difficile, et ça avait influencé la créativité de la groupe. Pourtant, LZ est là, et là d'une autre manière, et, donc, j'ai trouvé qu'il me manque ce disque. C'est une chose. Il faut dire aussi à propos d'un autre sentiment, qui commence à peser de plus en plus. On peut critiquer la musique de différents disques LZ, pourtant, on n'aura plus jamais d'autre musique que celle qu'on a. C'est peut-être banale, mais en tout cas une attitude sélective - "je garde ceci , je jette cela " - devient un peu snob, on ne peut plus l'accepter. C'est le temps de ramasser des pierres. Et cet album excellent ne doit pas être ignoré.

This is my least favourite Zeppelin album. That being said, It's better than 99% of the music recorded in the history of mankind. In a way it's the worst of the best. Two of my all time Led Zeppelin tracks are on this album. They are 'In The Evening' and 'I'm Gonna Crawl', the opening and closing track. This album is more of a JPJ and Robert Plant album with Page and Bonham taking more of a back seat. Thus it is more fancy music oriented and less driving rock and roll. CD 1 is the original album re mixed (spectacularly) and CD 2 is, as the liner notes state, ...'The material on the companion disc presents a portal to the time of the recording of Led Zeppelin. It is a selection of work in progress, with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions and new material recorded at the time.' Here is the track listing: CD 1 1. In The Evening 2. South Bound Suarez 3. Fool In The Rain 4. Hot Dog 5. Carousels bra 6. All My Love 7. I'm Gonna Crawl And CD 2. 1. In The Evening 2. South Bound Piano (South Bound Suarez) 3. Fool In The Rain 4. Hot Dog 5. The Epic (Carouselambra) 6. The Hook (All My Love) 7. Blot (I'm Gonna Crawl) Though this is not my favourite Led Zep album by a long shot it is still a great album. The re-mix is superb with the companion CD containing very interesting 'work in progress' material

Although regarded by most fans as Zeppelins' weakest effort this release was nonetheless highly anticipated due to the fact that the original mix was so poor and the previous CD issues also sounded very muddy compared to the other albums. Could Jimmy Page get it right this time? Happily, YES!. This new remaster is a massive improvement over all previous releases, boasting hugely improved clarity that breathes new life into the songs. The potential was always there for this to be the best sounding Zeppelin album due to the fact it was recorded at the technically advanced Polar Studios in Sweden (owned by the pop group ABBA who invited the band to try the facilities, believe it or not), but along the way something went wrong. Jimmy Page was not in great shape at the time and it can only be assumed that when he was mixing the tapes back at his home studio, his usual quality control suffered as a result. (Only three years later, the trio of out-takes from these sessions that appeared on 'Coda' sounded noticeably better). This new remaster finally allows us to hear the sonic depth captured at the recordings and the album is all the better for it. Of course, 'South Bound Saurez' is never going to make any Zepp fans top ten and 'Hot Dog' may well be the worst song the band ever cut but hey, they sure sound amazing here!. To some, this may be nothing more than polishing a turd and not enough to warrant a re-appraisal of the album - an opinion that does a disservice to the other tracks, at least two of which are essential listening. Opener 'In The Evening' is classic Zeppelin and generally (and rightly) regarded as the strongest song here. Elsewhere, 'Fool In The Rain' skips along nicely and is enlivened by a great South American samba section, inspired by the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. The new remaster brings out hitherto unheard bits and pieces that really enhances this portion of the song. The longest song here, 'Carouselambra', is a tricky one. For some, the emphasis on keyboards is an unwelcome and grating one which is a pity as it remains for me an absolute masterpiece of arrangement and musicianship. Particularly in the slow-burning middle section, where Page wrings out some truly demonic sounding chords (this was the only time he used his famed double-necked Gibson in the studio, an inspired move where this track is concerned). For sure, the original mix diluted some of the impact, being one of the murkiest on the album, but now the enormous sound of the band is here in all its glory. Bear in mind, however, that there has been no actual re-mixing so although Robert Plants vocal is now clearer, it's still placed so low within the overall mix that much of it still remains hard to decipher without a lyric sheet. This was a real bone of contention with Plant as he felt the words said everything he wanted to say about the band at the time. There is almost certainly a dig at Jimmy Page within the song: "Where was your word/ Where did you go, Where was your helping/ Where was your bow?" A none too subtle reference to his live guitar antics of course and perhaps a swipe at his perceived lack of support for Plant during a very difficult time for the singer: "And powerless the fabled sat, too smug to lift a hand, Toward the foe that threatened from the deep". Whatever the true meaning it remains a hugely impressive and powerful number with some jaw-dropping drumming from John Bonham. Elsewhere, 'All My Love' and 'I'm Gonna Crawl' round off the album in decent style, although the former may be too twee for some, including Jimmy Page, who has never liked the song: "It wasn't us" he lamented not long after. This may have been due to the fact that he played no part in writing or arranging the song - something previously unheard of. Indeed, this album as a whole showcases the enormous talent of John Paul Jones. With Page operating at less than his usual 100%, the bass player stepped in and effectively took charge of the sessions. His keyboards are prominently featured throughout as well as his exemplary bass playing. As for the bonus disc, it's okay but not spectacular. The alternate mixes on offer sound noticeably worse than the sparkling restoration of the actual album and they're not radically different enough to hold the attention of a casual fan, That said, 'In The Evening' benefits from having Plants vocal much more up-front and devoid of the electronic filtering applied to the released version. Unfortunately, there is no place here for the full-length mix of 'All My Love'. Long available on bootleg. the song originally ran on for over a minute and a half longer but perhaps Pages' dislike of this song vetoed any chance of the full version making the cut. A missed opportunity. If you already own the previous versions of this album, I have no hesitation in recommending this Re-issue. The album has never sounded this good. Well done to John Davis and Jimmy Page, who may well have gained 'In Through The Out Door' a new set of fans.

good album