Def Leppard - Songs From the Sparkle Lounge (2008)
Def Leppard hasn’t been known for hard rock in over two decades. The band moved more towards a pop rock sound ages ago. Fans have been longing for the band to return to the sound that made them famous in the early 80’s. Songs From the Sparkle Lounge isn’t a Pyromania or Hysteria part two, but this album does have some of the heaviest tracks that the band has done in quite a while. The songwriting on this record took a more simplistic approach. Most cuts on Songs From the Sparkle Lounge have an anthemic quality about it. As a result, the lyrics are easy to remember, easy to sing along with, and the band could have their first hit record with new material since 1993’s Retroactive. Yes, the band has had Gold Albums since then, but none of their releases, aside from their Greatest hit compilations, have sold more than a million copies since 1993’s Retroactive.
Those of you fearing that Def Leppard is going to tread down the road that Bon Jovi went down, I can gladly say, they did not. This album has a couple of heavy cuts. Just listen to the first track Go, and you will understand how much of a difference the sound is over the past few records. This is the first album where I have heard Vivian Campbell cut loose on a Def Leppard album, and all I can say is, ITS ABOUT TIME! The band has not jettisoned their pop rock sound on this disc, so the fans of the NWOBHM Def Leppard albums, probably won’t enjoy this record as much. Those of you looking for a disc full of good pop songs, will probably be quite happy with this disc. Songs from the Sparkle Lounge probably has more in common with Adrenalize than any of Def Leppard’s prior work.
Yes, Tim McGraw sings the intro on Nine Lives. His involvement with the song adds absolutely nothing to the song or the record. It is easily a quick marketing grab for Def Leppard, who could draw a few fans from the music buying Country Music audience. Either way it is probably a smart move for the band, especially when most bands are struggling to sell records in 2008.
Like most Def Leppard albums, Songs From the Sparkle Lounge has a power ballad, called Love. This song has more syrup than IHOP. This song has a center part that gives it a Queen like feel to it.
So far my favorite cuts are Go, Cruise Control, Hallucinate and Bad Actress.
Songs From the Sparkle Lounge isn’t a terribly long affair. It clocks in just shy of 40 minutes. This isn’t Def Leppard’s best work, but it is far from their worst. Will this new album be enough to garner new success for Def Leppard? It just might. I had low expectations for this record, and as a result I enjoyed it. I think most of you will too.
You can listen to samples of this album at the Sparkle Lounge Micro site.
Rating:
Track Listing:
Out of 10
1. Go
2. Nine Lives
3. C’mon C’mon
4. Love
5. Tomorrow
6. Cruise Control
7. Hallucinate
8. Only The Good Die Young
9. Bad Actress
10. Come Undone
11. Gotta Let It Go
Def Leppard is:
Joe Elliott - Vocals
Phil Collen - Guitars
Vivian Campbell - Guitars
Rick Allen - Drums
Rick Savage - Bass
I totally agree with your review!! This is a really great album! I was expecting a pretty crappt record, but was pleasantly surprised!
please go to jjacobb.wordpess.com. im literaly desperate!
Being a fan since ‘83 (like all of America), I’m glad they are using their guitars again. I’ll listen to this album many, many times before I pass judgement but after the first day I’m pleased.
Я ОЧЕНЬ ВОСХИЩАЮСЬ !!! ОНИ ЛУЧШИЕ !!! Я 20 ЛЕТ С НИМИ. И, ЕСЛИ МНЕ ПЛОХО, ВКЛЮЧАЮ “DEF… И МНЕ ВСЕ ПО …. Я ЛЮБЛЮ “DEF LEPPARD”!!!
ПУСТЬ ЕЩЕ ЛЕТ 20 ПОЮТ !!! ИХ СТИЛЬ - ЖИЗНЕННЫЙ. Я, КАК “СТРЕЛЕЦ” ИХ ПОНИМАЮ… МОЛОДЦЫ… (СЕЙЧАС Я СЛУШАЮ 2008…)….
ХОТЕЛ БЫ С НИМИ КОГДА НИБУДЬ ВСТРЕТИТЬСЯ, ДАЖЕ СПЕТЬ… НО… НИКАК… ВСЕ РАВНО - МОЛОДЦЫ !!! ВСЕМ ПРИВЕТ !!!
Not too bad it’s growing on me the more I listen to it.
This is the best album they have released in a long time. One can only hope it gets the exposure it deserves and gives them a reason to continue with the heavier material.
A good effort and definitely better than X!
After my first listen, I sat back and thought “Now THAT is a DEF LEPPARD ALBUM”! Finally, they are back in true form. My fave track is “Gotta Let It Go”. The only track I don’t like is “Love” (IHOP syrup plus some Cheez Whiz on the side).
Yep. Surprised they could still krank out a decent Album.
Best work in a long, long time IMO. I might even start listening to them again.
I am surprised that this album rocks!
This is the best Def Leppard has done since the monumental “Hysteria”, seriously, and it rocks harder than anything they`ve done before! I’m totally blown away by this album, and I must say it is extremely gratifying to hear such a magnificent classic hard rock/melodic metal album in 2008! They hold the banner high, and I look forward to seeing them on tour this year!
Hysteria will always be their best… Though Pyromania is my personal favorite. But Songs-F-T-S-Lounge, Has 10 out of 11 songs that I would classify as hit singles in a heartbeat. ‘Nine Lives’ is amazing, ‘Come Undone’ is my favorite though because of the intro, and I like ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Go’ too. ‘Bad Actress’ ‘Hallucinate’ ‘Gotta Let It Go’ ‘Cruise Control’ and ‘Only The Good Die Young’ are potential monster hits aswell! While ‘C’mon C’mon’ is one of my favorites too.. Its a great cranking tune.
Many thanks to DL for turning out vintage material that once again really rocks.. I’d love to see them sell millions again, like the record deserves.
And to say that ‘Love’ doesn’t belong on the album.. Well, I don’t know. It’s unlike the other songs but it has a raw power of its own the more you hear it. At least thats my feeling on it.
Some good harmonies.. Guitar riffs… If you listen to it from an instrumental perspective, its one of the best songs they’ve ever done.
Rock on Def Leppard, rock on.
Just posted my review of the album over at Heavy Metal Addiction:
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/def-leppard-songs-from-the-sparkle-lounge-2008/
I really enjoyed the album, it was like a mix of the last three records - Euphoria (1999), X (2002), and Yeah! (2006). ‘Hallucinate’ has to be my favorite with that Queen-esque ballad, ‘Love’, a close second. I’d prefer to hear Joe do ‘Nine Lives’ on his own but it’s a small complaint.
Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
What can I say about Def Leppard’s new album? The best word to describe it would be a masterpiece. I have been a fan since I was 11 years-old and saw Joe Elliot swinging sword around in the Rock of Ages video on MTV. Anyway, I bought album on april 29th. I played hookie from work just so I could listen to entire album. It did NOT disappoint me. I was blown away. 9 lives speaks for it self. Although Joe does not by any means need Tim to help with the vocals on any account. They sounded great together. I don’t have a favorite song from this album. There are too many songs on here that I love. C’mon C’mon has to be right up there in my favorite category along with Bad Actress. I just want to congratulate Def Leppard for an amazing, rocking, hot hitting album. It really doesn’t come as a surprise. They haven’t sold over 65 million records for nothing. I am sure this will go multi-platinum just like the others they have done. I’m sure of it.
Def Leppard sux.
That is, everything after Pyromania…