Phoenix, AZ - Media Review Quotes

By Traci Baker

Def Leppard was next. As the crowd waited for the 80's arena-rock giants to come onstage, giant screens were lowered on either side of the stage that were effective throughout the show - in fact one really cool shot came from a camera mounted on the fret board of guitarist Phil Collen.

As Joe Elliott and company hit the stage, opening with "Rock! Rock! ('Til You Drop)" and "Rock It" I a little bit worried because the vocal mix seemed a bit off, the bass and two guitars seemed to dominate Elliot's vocals. With the third tune, "Animal," you could hear Elliott a bit better. They continued to play hit after hit, wowing the crowd with songs like "Foolin'" ( one of my favorites), "Love Bites", "Hysteria" and "Armageddon It"

An acoustic break included Elliott on guitar inviting the crowd to 'join the band' and sing along to "Two Steps Behind" and my very favorite, "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" that launched into a full band version to finish the kick-butt tune.

The show ended with powerhouse tunes "Photograph", the very sexy "Pour some Sugar on Me" and "Rock of Ages" an early Def Leppard tune that still stands the test of time. I enjoyed a video montage that backed this song that included photos of varied rock performers like Jimi Hendrix, Ozzy Osborne, David Gilmour, Stevie Ray Vaughn, David Bowie, Keith Richard and many others.

By Examiner 2009.

Read the full review/4 photos at - katestrackshack.com

By Martin Cizmar

In contrast, Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott seemed a little weak on the high notes coming out of the gate. But, by the third song, their original breakthrough single, "Animal," he found his groove. The rest of the group had the same sparkling sound Mutt Lange gave their best studio work. The band paced itself, resisting the temptation to shoot off pyrotechnics at the beginning of their set to get cheap pops right off. Other than an extended series of guitar solos proceeding "Rock On," things moved along pretty well, though I'd prefer to see Poison headline over their British brethren. Def Leppard just seemed a little too one-dimensional. For example, "Two Steps Behind," one of their biggest acoustic ballad really lacks the punch of "Something to Believe In," or other Power Ballads of the era. "Love Bites," is a little stronger (and technically a bigger hit than "Pour Some Sugar on Me") though I've always found it corny.

In the end I was left to conclude that given the chance to see Green Day or Def Leppard I'd probably take Green Day, but, though it pains the Gen Xer in me to say it, Poison beats them both.

By Martin Cizmar @ Phoenix New Times 2009.

Read the full review at - phoenixnewtimes.com

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