Def Leppard Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
It's all been about Def Leppard recently. I interviewed Phil Collen and then wrote an article on him, I'm anticipating their tour with much excitement and I've listened to their new album Songs From The Sparkle Lounge many times. While it's not the return to form that was widely publicised there are enough decent tracks to make you purchase this CD.
To Def Leppard's credit Songs From The Sparkle Lounge sees the band move away from the pop influences of the past. On this album they have gone for a raw sound, which is more similar to their earlier releases.
On songs like Nine Lives and C'mon C'mon this works well. Both are infectious rockers and will have no problem finding their way into Def Leppard's live set.
When the obligatory ballad Love kicks in Songs From The Sparkle Lounge does fall away. This isn't a terrible song but it doesn't come close to Love Bites or Long, Long Way To Go. They follow this up with a number of modern rock tracks that are only saved by the guitar solos.
Just when you think I know what the rest of the album will sound like Def Leppard come back to life with Bad Actress. It's a fast paced track in the vein of Stagefright and is the best song they've done in years. A couple more like this would have improved Songs From The Sparkle Lounge immensely.
Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is a good album that could've been great. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because at least they're not disgracing their name. I wonder if I'll be able to say that when the world's biggest metal band releases their new album.
8 / 10
