IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR

Led Zeppelin had grown up. They had survived, fought back, continued to progress and even thrive as recording artists. Their live performances as well, though inconsistent, had become well-known for outdoing most top acts of the day, generating more music and magic in a single concert than their contemporaries did in a month of touring. It had been a bumpy but triumphant road and this band was not about to rest on any laurels. It was all or nothing--- a fresh sounding album of quality material polished until ready or no album at all. And as usual, they delivered.

In Through the Out Door was a special record. Understated and elegant, it was a complete departure for these ragged bluesmen and left no doubt they were adults, matured for the better, more interested in the music itself than the impact it would have or statement they could make. Even the rocker 'In the Evening' is done with such restraint, it barely resembles the Led Zeppelin we had known. It shows a group come together as a team, gelled and mellowed with no need to show off, working as a unit and each member playing an equal but vital supporting position. Jimmy Page's new role as compositional harmonizer was a refreshing change, Plant's performance is typically inspired, Bonham's drums sound better than they had in ten years and Jones is stellar as studio director, doing a brilliant job. Additionally, Page's production yields a session that rivals any other for fidelity and clarity.

'Fool in the Rain' is a romantic beauty with a marvelous drum track, Plant's pubescent whine and salute to teenage love songs of the 50s, and 'Hot Dog' is a honky-tonk hoot. The record centers around the next track, the highly progressive 'Carouselambra', constructed with clean and simple layers of synthesizer, guitar, drums, bass and vocals but with many changes of direction and tone. Pure and unhindered, it is a great piece at over ten minutes. The sad and joyous 'All My Love' follows and remains one of their best numbers.

A secret favorite among many fans and the classiest moment in this band's amazing career, In Through the Out Door is unrivaled in its taste and eloquence and sadly became the group's last official studio offering.