Music Review: Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
Published May 21, 2008
I am a Def Leppard fan going at least as far back as Hysteria and maybe even to On Through the Night.
That said, I must admit to falling off the horse in the years since Adrenalize. Yes, I have Slang and X, but I don't have Euphoria or the covers collection. Also, when I reach for Def Leppard I generally reach for the best of collections.
That brings me to Songs From the Sparkle Lounge, an album that, quite frankly, snuck up on me. I had no idea that they had even gone into the studio. I was under the impression that they were towards the end, perhaps doing the occasional tour. Obviously I was wrong.
This album is something of a mixed bag, as Def Leppard is definitely past their prime as a top of the pop charts kind of band. Still, Def Leppard is a band that is letting their maturity and experience shine through in an album that embraces their roots as much as it treads new ground.
When it comes to Def Leppard it is hard for me to be completely impartial. Their 80's output had such a profound impact on me in my youth. When I look back on my personal history with music, Def Leppard is a big part of it. I remember when I first heard "Rocket" I knew I was in love, then I bought Hysteria (on cassette) off a classmate who couldn't stand it (blasphemy!), and within minutes I had a favorite band for the first time in my life.
I listened to that tape over and over again. I swear, there was a time I could recite all of the lyrics, in order, for the entire album. Of course, my love extended backwards over Pyromania, High and Dry, and On Through the Night. All were great. So, when I listen to any new material from them it will invariably be compared to the glory years.
The first thing that jumped out at me, something that immediately turned me (unfairly) against the album, was the sound. It didn't sound like Hysteria (or Adrenalize, or Slang). I don't know why I was expecting it to. I am intelligent enough to know they have grown older and they have changed. Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is still a good album.
Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about entertainment when he isn't sitting in a movie theater. He is known around the office as the "Movie Guy" and is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests include science fiction, horror, and metal music. His writings can be found at Draven99's Musings, as well as Film School Rejects. 
- Music Review: Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
- Published: May 21, 2008
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Review, Music: Rock, Music: Hard Rock
- Writer: Chris Beaumont
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Comments on this articleComments
I happen to love the new album. It's not High n Dry, it's not Hysteria, it's not Slang, it's Songs From the Sparkle Lounge. It's the album they wanted to make. They aren't teenage boys anymore, but grown men who have matured as has their music.
If anyone saw the band recently on TV and noticed Joe was struggling, he was. He had an upper respiratory infection that caused them to cancel at least 6 shows and he was still recovering from it.
"...When I saw them on TV he had some difficulty even with the new songs...."
When I saw them on tv, the live performance was overdubbed with the studio album version of the song. Still think that Joe had trouble with the vocals?
I have fond thoughts of Def Leppard and luckily I'm not a biased person...I've lived in sheffield most my life, my own band has rehearsed in the same factory Def Leppard used to, and I went to the same school as Rik Allen (although i'm not that old haha...he'd long since left). This album is a mixed bag, Go, Cruise Control & Bad Acress are good, Nine Lives & C'mon C'mon are painfull. I personally think that Euphoria was Def Leppard back to being Def Leppard!...big, cheesy and choruses you could sing after hearing the song just the once, I don't dislike this album, but I do skip too many songs...roll on the gig with Whitesnake & Thunder coming up in the coming weeks (Whitesnakes new album is a belter!)
When I saw them on tv, the live performance was overdubbed with the studio album version of the song. Still think that Joe had trouble with the vocals?
I wasn't talking about "Dancing with the Stars", though that is pretty sad and kinda proves my point that they probably can't perform like they used to & keep in time with the dancers! BUT, I'm sure there will be more excuses even though I'm pretty sure they did actually play the second song of that set.
They aren't teenage boys anymore, but grown men who have matured as has their music.
I guess,if that's what you wanna call it! I personally feel that their classic stuff was ballsy ,energetic & talented and that's why their on the map. Losing focus & dedication isn't the same as maturing.
I guess you should check out Maiden's new material to get a clearer idea of what the maturing process is all about and believe me, I've called 'em on their sh!tty releases as well(X Factor, Virtual XI)
As I look at some of these comments that put DEF LEPPARD down, I see nothing but lies and words being said that has no truth whatsoever. Usually when people mock DEF LEPPARD, they do not know the entire picture of what's really going on and they are very narrowminded, and they say things that are not true. Also they are usually, almost everytime, prejudice towards certain forms of music and DEF LEPPARD happens to one of them.When your prejudice towards a certain form of music, then what you have to say does not count mainly because a prejudice statement has no truth and openmindedness whatsoever. And DEF LEPPARD doesn't want these kind of immoral people to be their fans especially when these immoral people lie about them with a very narrow mind.
Thank you tim, I'm sure the band apprecites your words, I know I do.
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Isn't it funny how we all make excuses for a band we love when they still haven't returned to form or produced an album that showcases their true abilities.
I personally feel that they recorded a lighter album so that Mr. Elliot could handle the vocal duties. When I saw them on TV he had some difficulty even with the new songs.
All in all, I don't care what all the die-hards are going to say about my comment... Def Leppard should just pack it in & retire OR come out with a real album. Perhaps get someone who can sing all those glorious Def Lep masterpieces from the 80's & shine on some new material!