Def Leppard - Euphoria
Four years ago, Def Leppard were criticized for straying so far away from their "tried and true" formula sound that the album was hardly recognizable as being Def Leppard. Now those same people once again sharpen their claws and criticize the band for going back to that sound. And really, let's be honest here, if Adrenalize was Hysteria II, then Euphoria is Hysteria III. It is. But before you go and get all PO'd about that one, remember that you are reading reviews of the ten albums I couldn't do without. Don't get me wrong, I love this album.
Def Leppard's 'Euphoria' takes us on a journey through the history of the band's music, whether it was intended to or not. There are things on this album that remind the longtime listener of cuts from others ranging all the way back to 1980's 'High'N'Dry'. Yes, it's a return to the tried and true production-heavy hits, but it is also undeniably unique on it's own. And it's a damn good album at that. From the rock anthems to the ballads, 'Euphoria' is one of those CDs you can put on and listen to again and again because it's just that good. And if it is a little ballad-heavy, so what. Over the more than two decade history of Def Leppard it's been the hard-driven yet melodic sound that's gotten them to where they are today, and a good portion of it has been the ballads. One can hardly blame them for integrating the old sound with the new, scaled-down and somehow more honest one. On one extreme you have the amazing technological wonder of Hysteria. On the other, the bare bones, rawer-edged Slang. If there is a balance somewhere between the two, then that balance is Euphoria.
TRACKS:
Demolition Man
Promises
Back In Your Face
Goodbye
All Night
Paper Sun
It's Only Love
21st Century Sha La La La Girl
To Be Alive
Disintegrate
Guilty
Day After Day
Kings Of Oblivion
Produced by Pete Woodroffe
and Def Leppard
Sav's Prime Cuts: Kings Of Oblivion, Guilty
Scully's Prime Cuts: Day After Day, Paper Sun
Also in the Top Ten
The Official Def Leppard Site
