Led Zeppelin: Robert Plant (vocals); Jimmy Page (acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); John Paul Jones (synthesizer, bass); John Bonham (drums).

Personnel: Robert Plant (vocals, harmonica); Jimmy Page (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); John Paul Jones (keyboards); John Bonham (drums).

Recording information: Polar Music Studios, Stockholm, Sweden (11/1978-12/1978); Polar Studios, Stockholm, Sweden (11/1978-12/1978).

The last proper Led Zeppelin album shows the group's response to punk's encroachment to be a regal shrug and a continuation of the outsized heavy rock that made the band a legend. There are a few interesting stylistic detours--the almost salsa-like piano that drives "Fool in the Rain," the country-flavored hoedown of "Hot Dog"--but for the most part this is 1970s rock in the grandest style. John Paul Jones in particular struts his stuff here, his synthesizer powering "Carouselambra," Zeppelin's furthest excursion into prog rock, and sweetening "All My Love," a balladic requiem for Robert Plant's late son, Karac. Zeppelin sounds so assured on IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR it's hard to believe the end of the band was just around the corner.

Q (1/95, p.273) - 3 Stars - Good - "...by far their most keyboard-oriented, guitar histrionics-free album....songs showing that there were also other, altogether different sides to Zeppelin..."