Album Mini-review: Led Zeppelin — In Through the Out Door
At the time of its original release, In Through the Out Door was problematic for some longtime Zep fans; it featured more keyboards – synthesizers, even! – than was typical of a Zep LP, and guitarist Jimmy Page‘s involvement seemed muted. That perception was quite accurate: owing to extramusical matters (did somebody say drugs?), Page loosened his grip on the project. The result was an album that showcased John Paul Jones‘ talents. With hindsight, the album now seems a logical musical progression. A few missteps (“Hot Dog,” perhaps) don’t detract from what is ultimately one of their most consistently melodic offerings. The disc is reliably adventurous as well. The reissue adds seven largely superfluous bonus tracks; these embryonic versions don’t differ significantly from the finished versions. In what might be a sly, grudging nod to to the song’s radio-readiness, the early version of “All My Love” is titled “The Hook.”
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About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.