Songs from the Sparkle Lounge is Def Leppards tenth studio album. The album is
produced by the band and Ronan McHugh. In America the album was released on 29
April 29, 2008. The album features Joe Elliott on vocals, Rick Allen on drums,
Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell on guitar, and Rick "Sav" Savage on bass. Tim
McGraw appears on Nine Lives.
Ever since Def Leppard released Yeah!, their
covers album from 2 years back, to a mixed critical and fan reception, everyone
wondered how long it would be until the next album would get released - and
above all, if it would be worthwhile. A lot of publicity was built up by the
band, claiming it would (to the pleasure of many fans, this one included) that
there would be no ballads, and that it would be in the style on seventies-style
hard rock. So how does Songs from the Sparkle Lounge measure up?
Its
official. For the first time since Steve Clark died, Def Leppard seems to be on
a winning streak. 2 years after delivering Yeah!, an incredible covers album
that was the bands finest work in years, they serve up what is arguably their
best album of original studio material in a decade. Largely in the style of
Euphoria and 70s glam rock, its an excellent listening experience that rarely
missteps. Its not an album for those seeking a return to the bands earlier,
heavier NWOBHM sound, but if youre a fan of all phases of the bands career, or
you at least liked Euphoria, its doubtful youll be disappointed.
-"Go"
(Collen, Elliott) - 3:21
The band doesnt waste any time getting down to the
good stuff. Its one of those "mature but still rocks hard" songs, which will
bring memories of Paper Sun from Euphoria (and thats a good thing.)
-"Nine
Lives" (Collen, Elliott, McGraw, Savage) - 3:32
Tim McGraw joins the band for
this tune, which he also co-wrote with them. This was the song that got the most
pre-release publicity, not to mention the one I had my biggest doubts about. But
fear not, its pretty good! A nice cross of country and rock.
-"Cmon Cmon"
(Savage) - 4:09
On more recent efforts, Def Leppard seems to have been getting
more into their 70s glam rock influences. That reigns true on this track. Its a
nice musical return to the 70s, but the sound is still distinctly all Leppards
own. Good stuff.
-"Love" (Savage) - 4:17
Def Leppard promised no ballads,
but whether or not this song is one is debatable. Dont worry, Im not
complaining. With a first half that will bring Queens classic Love of My Life to
mind, and a latter half that the late Beatles or Electric Light Orchestra would
be proud of, its an incredible tune.
-"Tomorrow" (Collen) - 3:35
This is
the song Phil Collen wrote about the passing away of his father. And its
surprisingly upbeat and optimistic musically despite the subject matter. The
song has some excellent riffs, and it wouldnt surprise me if a few years down
the road, this is one of the most-remembered songs from the album.
-"Cruise
Control" (Campbell) - 3:03
This is another one of those hard rocking but
mature songs that will remind you of the bands work from the Euphoria album.
Good work from the whole band on this one. Its a composition that shows off just
how diverse musically Viv can be.
-"Hallucinate" (Collen) - 3:17
Straight-up retro-flavored glam rock. If this song werent a Def Leppard
original, it would have been right at home on Yeah!. A great song, definitely
one of this reviewers favorite cuts from the album.
-"Only the Good Die
Young" (Campbell) - 3:34
This tune slows things down, but still rocks
throughout. A nice mix of rock and pop sounds from start to finish, and some
especially excellent guitar work from Viv.
-"Bad Actress" (Elliott) - 3:03
Back to the retro-70s glam stuff. Once again the band is at the top of their
game here. Its one of those songs that must be heard to be appreciated.
-"Come Undone" (Elliott) - 3:32
Again, we get a tune that gives us a nice mix
of sounds, pop and rock alike. A great Elliott composition, its one of the many
songs on here that will remind you of Euphoria-era stuff.
-"Gotta Let It Go"
(Campbell) - 3:55
A great way to finish the album. This is a straight-up rock
tune, with some of the post-Steve Clark formations best guitar work to date. In
the simplest terms possible, a great song.
As far as bonus tracks go, the UK
and Japanese versions contain a piano version of Love. Japanese versions only
include a Def Leppard Only version of Nine Lives (without Tim McGraw.) If you
buy the album on iTunes, you get the former bonus track (not sure if this is a
limited-time thing or not, so if you plan to get it online, Id advise doing it
ASAP just to be safe.)
First Yeah! and now this. For the first time in a
long time, the band has a good things going. If youre at all a fan of Def
Leppard, or youre like me and youre one of those many fans who liked Euphoria
but loathed the material immediately before and after, pick this one up
|
