Def Leppard (album title) is their first
album in seven years since the much praised ‘Songs From The Sparkle Lounge’.
Seven! In most peoples/ bands timescales, seven years is an eternity. Some bands
have formed, disbanded and reformed in seven years. For the Leps though it’s a
(Yorkshire) Tea break.
Apparently the band got together with the
idea of putting a three track EP out. Before you could say ‘Up The Blades!’
twelve songs had been written. It’s the first time ever that the lads have not
had the backing of a record deal in place and because of the freedom in doing
something for themselves (and the fans of course) the early word on the streets
is that it is a return to form. It’s on release via earMUSIC
The early word on the streets is spot on.
Def Leppard is probably their finest release since those heady days of the 80s.
Lets face it Leppard don’t need to release a new album. They certainly don’t
need the money. It’s a huge testament to them that they wanted to release an
album, because anyone that goes to see them in the 21st Century
probably isn’t interested on hearing anything after Hysteria. They are sitting
on a back catalogue of songs that are massive anthems. I get a sneaky feeling
that one or two at least are good enough to break into this ‘classic’ set list
they have generated for themselves over their (almost) 40 years together.
There’s a couple of songs on there that
could have done with being cut from the album, but there’s a nucleus of songs
at the early end of the album that sound as if they belonged to the Pyromania
era. In particular, the gorgeous ‘Dangerous’, the funky ‘Man Enough’, and the
guitar laden ‘Sea Of Love’ with its Lynyrd-esque backing vocals. Opener ‘Lets
Go’ has the hallmarks of ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ flowing through the riff. On
the ballad ‘We Belong’ is a cool track as all five get a shot at lead vocals.
It’s uncanny as to how close they all sound, which is why the harmonies are
always so bloody good! ‘All Time High’ adds some welly back into proceedings;
It’s a high energy full on rocker, choc full of Leppard’s layered vocals
(pat.pending). ‘Battle Of My Own’ is an interesting mix of Led Zep, Coverdale
Page and Chris Cornell’s ‘Seasons’.
Why this hasn’t happened with earlier
albums is a mystery. Finally Def Leppard have played firmly to their
strengths -huge harmonies, and even
bigger riffs.
The ‘older guard’ of rock music has
certainly played their part in the music of 2015. Thunder have given us one of
their finest ever albums, Bands such as FM Romeos Daughter and Europe have all
made considerable valuable contributions – all of whom are proving that rock
certainly aint dead.
Def Leppard have produced an album that few
in 2015 would have thought was possible.
Its got Def Leppard running through it like a stick of rock, but is
still modern and fresh in its approach
If this is to be their final album, then
this is one decent way to go out. Def Leppard will certainly be lapped up by
their existing fan base and deservedly so. The live gigs will/should be around
for some time yet, in the meantime, get onto the retailer of your choice, sit
back and enjoy the ride.
Score 88/100
Tracklisting
Lets Go
Dangerous
Man Enough
We Belong
Invincible
Sea Of Love
Energized
All Time High
Battle Of My Own
Broke ‘N’ Brokenhearted
Forever Young
Last Dance
Wings Of An Angel
Blind Faith
