Led Zeppelin
In Through the Out Door
In Through the Out Door: the finale Rolling Stone called its worst
Released on 22 August 1979 on Swan Song Records. Charles M. Young's hostile Rolling Stone review of 18 October 1979, chart evidence from the US, UK and Germany, and the album's later standing as a classic.
The verdict at the time
Young opened by calling In Through the Out Door 'Led Zeppelin's worst effort'. He found Robert Plant's lyrics 'horrible' and dismissed most of side two as 'the least effective songs the band has ever recorded', concluding that 'even Led Zeppelin is not Led Zeppelin'. The hostile verdict belongs to Young and Rolling Stone, not to Echo Mandala.
Chart peaks
European positions are listed by country. Later chart entries are labelled separately.
Sources & context
One critic's opinion, summarised from Charles M. Young's original Rolling Stone review of 18 October 1979. The album's change of reputation – from a slammed release to a recognised Led Zeppelin classic – is documented by later Rolling Stone coverage.
