"Hey, it's lonely at the bottom, Man, it's dizzy at the top / But if you're casting in the middle, oh, ain't no way you're gonna pod . . . "

The year was 1979. Disco and punk were the rage, and bands like Led Zeppelin were considered "dinosaurs" by the rock music intelligentsia. Wounded from personal loss (the death of Robert Plant's son), addiction (Jimmy Page and heroin, John Bonham and alcohol), and the lukewarm reception of Presence in 1976, the band came together to record their (unintended) final studio album.

In Through the Out Door is an anomaly in Zep's catalog, a keyboard-heavy album with a distinct lack of guitar riffs. Yet, its eccentric nature makes for an interesting listen, from the samba-infused earworm "Fool in the Rain" to the ambitious prog-rock epic "Carouselambra". John Bonham's death before a schedule US tour in 1980 closed the door on any possible follow-up, so this LP remains the band's swan song.

CHAPTERS:

Background (Recording, Production, Cover Art) (28:45)

In the Evening (42:05)

South Bound Saurez (49:02)

Fool in the Rain (53:48)

Hot Dog (01:02:35)

Carouselambra (01:05:10)

All My Love (01:14:29)

I'm Gonna Crawl (01:21:28)

Reception (Critical, Commercial) (01:25:35)

Categories (Spiciest Biscuit, Dustiest Crumpet, etc.) (01:31:52)

Series Wrap-Up (01:53:15)

"For the mighty arms of podcast hold the heavens from the Earth . . . "

In the summer of 1975, Led Zeppelin was on top of the world. Ahead of an upcoming US tour, Robert Plant and his family took a vacation, but a terrible car crash left him and his wife badly injured. The shows were canceled, and a hobbled Plant met up with Jimmy Page in Malibu to channel their frustrations into new songs.

Released in 1976, Presence is a guitar-heavy album with a sense of urgency. The opening epic "Achilles Last Stand" sets the tone for what's to follow, while "Nobody's Fault But Mine", "For Your Life", and "Hots On for Nowhere" feature Plant's angriest lyrics to date. The lack of a catchy single or supporting tour meant lower sales and a lukewarm critical response, but time has been kind to this anomaly in Zeppelin's discography.

CHAPTERS:

Introduction (00:00:00)

Background (Recording, Production) (00:32:50)

Achilles Last Stand (00:54:33)

For Your Life (01:06:05)

Royal Orleans (01:12:45)

1976: Year in Review (01:21:18)

Nobody's Fault But Mine (01:31:25)

Candy Store Rock (01:51:50)

Hots On for Nowhere (01:57:40)

Tea For One (02:02:45)

Reception (Critical, Commercial) (02:10:25)

Categories (Spiciest Biscuit, Dustiest Crumpet, etc.) (02:13:40)

"Oh let the sun beat down upon my cast, with pods to fill my dream . . . "

At the peak of their popularity in the mid-70's, Led Zeppelin retreated to Headley Grange once again. The goal was to write enough songs for a new record, but they came up with more than could fit on one LP. The solution? Dig back into the vaults and put out a sprawling double album.

Physical Graffiti was met with near-unanimous critical praise and huge sales numbers. Featuring epics like "Kashmir" and "In My Time of Dying", rockers like "Trampled Underfoot" and "The Wanton Song", and enjoyable filler sprinkled throughout, the sprawling 2-LP set finds Zeppelin at both their most focused and adventurous.

CHAPTERS:

Intro (00:00:00)

Background (Recording, Production, Cover Art) (00:25:00)

Custard Pie (00:47:20)

The Rover (00:53:16)

In My Time of Dying (00:58:15)

Houses of the Holy (01:01:35)

Trampled Underfoot (01:06:36)

Kashmir (01:14:43)

Year in Review: 1975 (01:18:55)

In the Light (01:28:00)

Bron-Yr-Aur (01:36:00)

Down By the Seaside (01:37:50)

Ten Years Gone (01:43:50)

Night Flight (01:49:20)

The Wanton Song (01:55:10)

Boogie With Stu (01:58:10)

Black Country Woman (02:00:10)

Sick Again (02:02:38)

Reception (Critical, Commercial) (02:08:35)

Categories (Spiciest Biscuit, Dustiest Crumpet, Etc.) (02:08:50)