The new Def Leppard CD is out and it’s the band’s best collection of songs since “Adrenalize” all the way back in ’92! Def Leppard, one of THE bands of the 80’s notched seven consecutive platinum albums beginning in 1980 and continuing on through the greatest hits collection, “Vault,” in 1995. Those #1’s marked 31 million in sales with one of them - “Hysteria” going 12 times platinum! Def Leppard’s past is paved with gold and platinum, but it has struggled with inconsistency over the past decade as tastes changed and the pop audience looked elsewhere for their kicks. But part of the problem was that Leppard took an uncertain path and released some average albums. This new one, however, puts the band square on the right course, echoing and in some cases, bettering their best work. Bring on the glam - “C’Mon, C’mon” is classic-sounding Def Leppard with a drum-heavy Gary Glitter retro rhythm that is best danced in platform shoes! But the band shows its sensitive side too, especially on the track “Bad Actress.” Country artist Tim McGraw makes an appearance on the lead single “Nine Lives,” which seems like a pretty weird combination, but the duet with Joe Elliot sounds as smooth as two friends sharing a bottle of Cabo Wabo. Batender? I’ll have another!
