Attack of the Killer Track! is a series that explores tracks from artists from a variety of genres. Some of the tracks were singles, some of them were obscure b-sides or long forgotten album tracks. One thing is certain – all of them are killer tracks.
The late 70’s saw Led Zeppelin changing up their sound, stretching out from the blues inspired Rock ‘n” Roll that had made them stars at the tail end of the 60’s and into the early 70’s. Their swan song – 1979’s In Through the Out Door – is an album that touches on a few musical styles. The die-hard Zep fans might be slowly warming up to it after 35 years, but I’ve always loved its mix of hard rock, groove inspired jams, and the greatest ballad the band ever composed, All My Love. I might have just lost half of the hardcore Led Zeppelin fans with that statement, but what can I say? Singer Robert Plant had the experience that every parent fears – losing his 5-year-old son Karac to an infection. Plant turned inward and thought about quitting the band, but was persuaded by drummer John Bonham to continue (Bonham would pass away just a few years later). All My Love tries to put Plant’s thoughts about losing his son into verse and succeeds on every level. It is one of the only Led Zeppelin tracks to not have any input from guitarist Jimmy Page. The keyboard solo from John Paul Jones exists on a plane outside of what was happening in the 70’s – not prog, not new wave – it is a beautiful piece of melancholy that enhances the emotions of the tune. Bonham holds a steady beat whilst Plant poetically conjures up visions of life, the afterlife, love, and loss.
For many hours and days that pass ever soon
the tides have caused the flame to dim
At last the arm is straight, the hand to the loom
Is this to end or just begin?
All of my love, all of my love,
All of my love to you.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2M0AleW13I&w=560&h=315]