The Bottom Line: Classic rock songs from the 80's and 90's and the hits you haven't forgotten. Def Leppard really had some great music and this should be in all music lover's collection.
Monnie1976's Full Review: Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits by Def Leppard
Did you ever jump around in your room doing air guitar to the infectious “Pour Some Sugar On Me”? Did you ever have your heart broken and shed your tears of pain on your bed listening to “Love Bites”? Did you love the blatant rebellion of “Let’s Get Rocked”? If you answered yes to these questions then you are going to love digging into The Vault, a compilation of all of Def Leppard’s hits.
When I picked up this album I honestly had forgotten how much fun I have had over the years listening to their music. Some of the older stuff is actually more in my sister’s era but that music is good as well. I can remember that she actually had the record of Pyromania. I, however, became a Def Leopard fan during their Hysteria album days. As a young teenager I loved the hard, edgy rock music and since MTV was in full swing I also loved watching their videos which were usually performance based.
THE HYSTERIA ALBUM
The first song on their greatest hits album is the rowdy and adrenaline charged “Pour Some Sugar On Me”. From the first line “love me like a bomb” the song just rocks and oozes with sexuality. The guitar lick that is the centerpiece of the song is pretty much unforgettable and the words are catchy. I definitely think this is one of the best rock songs from the 80’s. It’s fun, it’s a little raunchy and the music is so well done.
“Armegeddon It” also has a fun rock vibe and the band just really comes together and makes a fun, energetic song. This song is a party song and although I have never understood all the words I have always loved listening to it. It’s about giving you’re all in the sack I believe. (if anyone knows what this song is about and I am wrong let me know). Anyway, it’s a cool song even if you don’t understand all the lyrics. Not as good as “Pour Some Sugar On Me” but still good
“Rocket” is probably one of my least favorite songs on this album off Hysteria but I do think it is creative and has some redeeming qualities. The shuffle of the drums on the verses and the vocals are done really well. The song just never reached me on a personal level. It’s interesting but not as accessible. I do know a lot of people who like this song but I just don’t get into it.
“ Love Bites” is probably one of the most scorching rock ballads from the 80’s. Raw with emotion, musically solid and engrossing the listener with it’s aching vulnerability, this song just gets better and better because as you get older you have more experience to apply it too. I think the lyrics to this song describe the pain, confusion and tension of a break-up and gives a nice insight into the male mind about heartbreak.
“When you make love, do you look in the mirror
Who do you think of, does he look like me?
Do you tantalize, and say that it’s forever
Do you think twice or just touch and see
When you are alone do you let go?
Are you wild and willing, or is it just for show?”
The effects at the beginning (the computer type voices and space age sounds) are really effective in setting the mood of the song and serves as a prelude to the mixed emotion of anger, sadness and desire. The guitar is wailing and also is it’s own character in the song.
“Animal” is a nice mid-tempo song with the good guitar work characteristic of Def Leppard. Basically a song about animal instincts and the things he needs, I think it’s a very masculine and sexy song.
“I’ve got to feel it in blood, who-oh
I need you’re touch, don’t need your love
And I want and I need and I lust
Animal”
I think what I like about Def Leppard is they always tap into all the different masculine emotions and I have always found that fulfilling and interesting. Most bands kind of glamorize sex, make sappy ballads for the chicks but I think Def Leppard gives a more realistic and dynamic picture of male emotion.
“Hysteria” is the final track off The Vault that recaptures the highlights of Hysteria. I think Hysteria is a really romantic song in many ways. Describing the feeling of falling in love I can relate to this in a more primal level than all the other sappy songs that came out around the same time (for example “To Be With You” by Mr. Big) . The music wants again does an admirable job setting the stage for giving in to emotion and being filled with desire. I think Def Leppard does a great job of making music match the mood of the song.
THE PYROMANIA ALBUM
“Foolin” is definitely a different style from anything off of the Hysteria album. I am not sure what I think of this song. Overall, it’s a good song but it changes style and mood. The beginning is moody and brooding with kind of a gothic, mythical sound. Then the bridge is pretty charged with the group saying “Is anybody out there?” Then the second part of the bridge is almost cheerful and then the chorus. The chorus is kind of angry sounding. Very strange song.
“Photograph” is a nice mid tempo song. The guitar isn’t as good as on the hits off Hysteria but the song rocks on it’s own right. Basically the gist of the song is he has a photograph of this girl, but he wants the real thing. I remember it vaguely from when I was a kid and this song was really popular and my sister listened to it all the time.
“Rock of Ages” isn’t really that great but I think it was a pretty big hit as well. It sounds like ACDC light. If I want to listen to ACDC then I will listen to the real thing. I just think it doesn’t fit them that well. Actually, it is kind of engaging but just doesn’t measure up to their later material.
THE ADRENALIZE ALBUM
“Let’s Get Rocked” reminds me of when I first moved to Wyoming. I was feeling a little rebellious at the time and this song was pretty much my mood my whole tenth grade year. This song is just so much fun to listen to and every time I hear it I smile. Honestly, the song musically isn’t that great but the rebellious mood makes up for what it lacks musically. “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad” is a little more on the sappy side but I love this song as well. It fit the situation I was in at the time and I can remember listening to it many times thinking about that person. Even listening to it now reminds me of those days”
OTHER MATERIAL
“Bringin’ On The Heartbreak” is a nice, screechy love song off the High ‘N’ Dry album and I love this song. Brooding and mysterious this song is really creative and has some nice musical concepts in it. This is better than any of the hits off Pyromania in my epinion.
“Miss You In A Heartbeat” is piano driven which is not something you hear very often from Def Leppard. This song is from the album Retroactive and I don’t really get into it. It’s way to unemotional and kind of bland. “Two Steps Behind” from the same album is better. The guitar is basic an accompanied by some light strings and it touches something and I can relate to this song.
“When Love and Hate Collide” is previously unreleased and to be frank, I can see why.
Overall, this is a fantastic collection and a must for Def Leopard fans who don’t have all the albums. I am probably going to buy Hysteria now that I remember how great those songs were but this album will be good for the other hits on other albums.
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