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Review Summary: Def Leppard attempt to foresee the future, but the result is an unfocused hit & miss affair that is predominantly devoid of quality hooks. Just passable, but it leaves the band’s future very much up in the air. There is a good reason why very few bands take their careers into a third decade. As the years pass by, it is a near impossible task for musicians of any genre to successfully balance what made them successful in the past, with what listeners want to hear at any given point in time. For this reason, the artists that end up lasting for the long haul are more often than not, those who practically foresee the near future and progress their sound.
Despite strong sales and a decent critical reaction for 1992 album ‘Adrenalize’, English quintet Def Leppard could see the writing on the wall following that release. Their previous metal/hard-rock sound had taken a left turn towards popsville, a switch in direction that appeared to be an incorrect one as grunge and alt-rock bands began to gain mainstream appeal and acclaim at the beginning of the 90s. It was time to attempt to foresee the future and serve up something different… And so we have Def Leppard’s sixth full-length release; ‘Slang’.
Unfortunately, instead of choosing a direction and going with it, the veteran Sheffield outfit (alongside new co-producer Pete Woodroffe) decide to throw absolutely everything at the wall to see what sticks. That can be seen in the first three tracks alone, as ‘Truth’ shows industrial leanings, ‘Turn To Dust’ heavily uses an Indian Sarangi, while the horrendous title track (which was amazingly chosen as lead single) is the band’s stab at nu-metal. In a sense, some of the fortune telling was spot on, since industrial and nu-metal were to gather momentum as the decade progressed. However, the delivery was anything but spot on, as these areas were simply not Def Leppard’s specialties.
Thankfully, ‘Slang’ contains a solid and workmanlike mid-album quartet of tracks which make the album passable. 3rd single ‘All I Want Is Everything’ is a mid-tempo radio-friendly cut that is well-performed and contains lyrics that will hit home for some. Meanwhile, 2nd single ‘Work It Out’ is a darker subdued piece which probably best exemplifies what Def Leppard were aiming for on this album. Most notable on this song is the fact that Rick Allen has reverted back to more of an acoustic-sounding drum-kit, as opposed to the very electronic sounding drums of the previous two albums.
The album highlight is 4th single ‘Breathe A Sigh’. Initially a super slow ballad, this builds up momentum well and diverts away from the power-ballad style of the bands past. Instead, it chooses sparse instrumentation and terrific vocal harmonies to make it a resounding success. The following ‘Deliver Me’ is then a strange cut that isn’t totally convincing, but effectively uses the varying vocal styles of Joe Elliott to good effect.
While the final four tracks deliver a vast array of this, that and the other which could separately appeal to some listeners (for instance, ‘Gift Of Flesh’ is the heaviest piece here), the strength and quality of the songs themselves are mediocre at best. That may be a little harsh on atmospheric ballad ‘Blood Runs Cold’, but the bottom line is that this album simply doesn’t hold interest to the very end. This is especially the case for the bland and arguably downright bad final duo which take up over ten minutes of time.
As the phrase suggests, there is often a fine line between being brave and foolish. On ‘Slang’, Def Leppard may have indeed crossed that line as, in progressing outside of their comfort zone, their limitations have become a little too apparent. Things are not helped by the fact that the band has taken an unfocused approach in crafting their new sound, resulting in a hit and miss affair that is predominantly devoid of quality hooks. Ultimately, ‘Slang’ may be a passable release (if only just), but it leaves Def Leppard’s future very much up in the air.
Recommended Tracks: Breathe A Sigh, All I Want Is Everything & Work It Out.
| other reviews of this album |
TheDavey (3)
Def Leppard switches up their style, and alienates a good chunk of their fanbase. Is it worth a list...
mark1991 (4)
An album for the band...
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Album Rating: 2.5
I see no-one took up the plight for Def Leppard while I was away. Well, for all of those who asked for another review (umm, I can't recall who those were right now), here it is (insert maniacal laugh here)!!!
Seriously, this will be the last of them. I have already started to do sound-offs for the rest of their discography.
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Oh, I will miss these. Solid review as always.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
You know DavID, if you had not commented so negatively on the 'Hysteria' review, I may have skipped this one. So it's basically all your fault.
Ahhh, maybe it was Caleb who was one of the "many" asking for more DEf Leppard. You know, I could reconsider...
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You know Champ Kind, if you had not thought Def Leppard made anything apart from shit, I may not have commented. So it's basically all your fault.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Just switching comments from my 'Hysteria' review over to this one Caleb; Canadians are great. Met many on my trip. I always like calling them Americans to see their reactions.
I think I might make my Top European Cities list a guessing game around bands & albums. Might take a day or so to put together though, so stay tuned tomorrow some time.
DavID, go away & flip off a monkey or something. Or listen to Phrase's 'Clockwork' again as I really like that album.
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Ah, yes. We adore being called Americans... Mexicans though, when we tell them that we're not American and that we're Canadian, they're delighted; Canadians have a much warmer reception down here -- mostly because we flippantly let anybody into our country (unlike some other possibly smarter country).
I'll actually be in California all tomorrow, but I'll keep a watchful eye out for that list (and more Def Leppard reviews, ahem).
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Haha. Mexico isn't the only place like that. We were somewhere in Europe & a native was having a go at one of our tour members. Somewhere in the rant, the word "rude americano" was included. When the person said they were a Canadian & pulled out a passport to prove it, the entire tone of the conversation changed to be much friendlier.
Aussies are also universally well liked (although the English hate us taking their jobs) & that's despite us not flippantly letting anybody into our country (although some Aussies would debate that).
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Haha, brilliant. I'm not certain what makes us seem less benign than Americans; we're supposedly more polite but I don't believe that for a second. I was in Vancouver last week in a room full of Aussies (trying to get my passport back) and it was nice to dwell in their amiable presence for a while. Nice bunch of guys.
Slightly irrelevant question: were you ever in Scotland?
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I can answer your first query in one word: VOLUME. Obviously, it's a generalization, but many Americans are simply loud... Too loud.
Nah, didn't have time for Scotland or Ireland unfortunately. Wouldn't mind seeing both countries, although the climate would drive me bonkers.
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Hey Champ I'd love to see a review of both Phrase albums from you.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I've never heard Phrase's debut album and I'm not sure I've even seen a copy of it anywhere. As for reviewing 'Clockwork', I'm unsure it would be too different from yours. I've probably got it rated at a 4 at present, but having said that, it may currently be my album of the year (then again, I haven't heard much '09 stuff).
Also on your recommendation, I did give the Gallows album a listen. It didn't knock me over on the first few run-throughs, but I always give hardcore bands a 2nd & 3rd chance due to lack of accessibility.
Can't wait to get me some TBSunday, Emery & Karnivool when I get some time! Also, have you heard the new Enter Shikari yet?
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TBS is meh, but Emery and Vool are great. Haven't yet heard ES.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Yeah, just saw your sound-off for TBS. I'm a huge fan though, so I doubt I'll think it's "meh", but who knows.
Who knows, maybe you will be against the trend (again) with ES.
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Dave-o!!! Good to see you, man!
You missed out on some fun times, we bashed a troll!! :D
Did you see what my hundredth review was and who it was dedicated to yet? ;)
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My dad owns Def Leppard vinyls. Some of their old stuff was like the soundtrack for my childhood.
Thanks for remembering me how I digged 'em back then.
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good review Davey and i am especially glad that this will be the last of Lepard reviews. I'll definitely check out the song Slang because Def lepard playing nu metal seems very amusing to me haha.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Batman, I'm liking you more & more with each of your comments.
LOL metalstyles. I thought I better end the Leppard reviews before I got bottled through a computer screen. But please don't check out the song 'Slang'. You can imagine how bad it would be easily enough.
Now Pedro, bashing someone doesn't sound very nice at all... Depending on what they did I guess...
Oh boy, I don't know whether it's a positive or a negative that I inspired a Vanilla Ice album review. But ummm, "You're welcome" I guess. I am a bit more concerned with your review #101. You don't cross Vinny Mac my friend. I'd expect a visit from The Undertaker if I was you! :-)
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Welcome back. I just looked up Slang on Youtube....
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heh Davey tbh I thought that asides the lyrics Slang wasen't that bad at all hahahaha.
OH and about the troll case, it was a darn crackhouse. I used about every nervcell i had in trying to put some sense into the guy since me and OllieS were the only guys trying to actually help him. BUt the guy was just such a dick and finally I gave up after about 20 pages of pointless arguments by him. Sadly the mods deleted it I think. The user was GravyCannon and the review was about Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory. He really was the worst troll ever, a troll who doesn't think he is a troll but still acts like he's the king of the place
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haha good ol' GravyCannon! he was such a nice fellow!
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