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Def Leppard Tour History Fan Archive.
Slang Countdown 11 - May 1996 Entertainment Ave! Album Review

Saturday, 8th February 2014





Slang Deluxe Edition.

Def Leppard will release the Slang Deluxe Edition on 11th February and another 1996 album review is available to read.

Entertainment Ave! reviewed the album in May 1996 and the full review can be read below.

Entertainment Ave! - Slang Album Review May 1996

Going back to the eighties, you may remember the trend of music that consisted of high pitched wails and the twang of high end guitar playing. One of the bands that revolutionized the eighties hard rock sound was Def Leppard. Reminiscing on Pyromania and Hysteria, I remember high school.

But now it's the nineties and we've all changed, including Def Leppard. With their latest album, Slang, D.L. seems to have matured both musically and lyrically. I'll tell you, I nearly didn't pick up this CD because I grew out of that eighties sound years ago, but I'm glad I did buy it. As I turned on the stereo and sat down for my first listen, I was immediately stunned by the change in sound.

The first song is named "Truth?", a short, almost-three minute song that seems to me to be a song of maturing into the real world asking the questions we all ask before we learn the real world really sucks. It's not really a hard hitting song, but the lyrics are fair and the low end music gives off a somber feeling. This song gives into a good transition with rain in the background to the second song "Turn to Dust." Much like the first song musically, this song is nothing truly special, but it is different from the old D.L.

The third song is the title track, and here Leppard shows some of its old spots. Although it is not truly the same eighties song style, it is similar lyrically. For those of you that are still hung up on "Rocket" and "Photograph," I think this song is the clincher. Still no wailing from frontman Joe Elliot, but a little like the old D.L.

The next couple songs lead in a completely different direction. "All I Want is Everything" is a bluesy ballad about leaving a woman. I'll tell you that this is my favorite track on the disc. The blues leads into a more modern nineties sound in "Work it Out." A song that I would preferably skip because of the U2-esque keyboard making a beat in the background, but if that's what you like, cool.

Track six is a completely blues love ballad called "Breathe a Sigh." I highly recommend this song for those cossy moments with your significant other. But make sure to program the next two songs out of the play list if you're with the woman/man of your dreams. These tracks , "Deliver Me" and "Gift of Flesh," are harder hitting with a lot of low-end and mid-range guitar playing that pump you full of the adrenaline that is good for cruising in the car with your buds.

But what is Def Leppard without another love ballad? "Blood Runs Cold" is another depressing song about love falling apart. God, how many songs can groups write about this topic? -Sniff- I really hate these songs... wait, I have to hear that again. Sorry, sometimes I need to hear songs like that, don't you?

Acoustic guitars (and a mandolin?) are featured in "Where Does Love Go When it Dies." You can guess what this song is about from the title. How original! But the group ends the CD with a heavier sounding, slow song called "Pearl of Euphoria." A little guitar solo in the middle of this track adds a good flavor with a low sound that makes you feel the anger leave as it drives on at mid-range notes.

All in all, I'd have to say I was really surprised and a lot impressed with this effort by the old guys. They've been around since the early eighties and their sound hasn't changed much. Until now, that is. If you are a die-hard fan of the early Leppard then you might be a little disappointed with this album. However, if you are like me, and want to hear something new and original, then I suggest you get Slang.
By Entertainment Ave!.

All previous updates on this release and new music can be found in the Album News section.

  • Buy 2CD Album @ - Amazon.com - 11th February 2014
  • Buy Double Vinyl Album @ - Amazon.com - 11th February 2014
  • Buy MP3 @ - Amazon.com - 11th February 2014
  • Buy 2CD Album @ - Amazon.co.uk - 11th February 2014 (Import)
  • Buy Double Vinyl Album @ - Amazon.co.uk - 11th February 2014 (Import)
  • Buy MP3 @ - Amazon.co.uk - 11th February 2014





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