In the September 1999 edition of Metal Edge, Paul Gargano did a review of Def Leppards latest CD Euphoria! Here it is:
Metal Edge Playback: Hard Rock in Review:
Def Leppard,
Euphoria,
Mercury Records
Def Leppard scorched the American scene like wildfire with Pyromania, set a
standard for commercial rock with Hysteria, and are targeted for a return
to the glory days of '---ia' albums gone by with Euphoria, a melody-drenched
and hook-heavy composite of Leppard's various spots through the years.
From the power-ballads that ruled radio, to the jacked-up anthems that have
made them one of rock's most endearing live acts, Euphoria doesn't stray far
from past Lep successes. And why should they? 'Demolition Man' rockets the
album in with flash, a custom-made show-opener from the same free-spirited mold
as 'Let's Get Rocked' and 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'. First single 'Promises'
follows, reuniting the bad with legendary producer Mutt Lange (At this point,
I feel compelled to note that it's Shania Twain who's enginneered to sound like
Def Leppard, not vise versa) for a power-packed sound so Hysteria, you might
swear you've heard it before.
'I'm in your face, like I've never been away/I'm back in your face and thats
where I'm gonna stay,' the Def ones blast to open 'Back in Your Face,' a hard
hitting acclamation that is sure to have age-old fans pumping their fists in the
air in preparation for the band's upcoming tour. Campy and cliche? Sure, but
Def Leppard have never been one to shy away from proven confectioneries -
And if you're gonna tag the album Euphoria, why start now? Could there be a
better time to introduce the first of the albums handful of ballads?
If you're on your high-school's ten year reunion committee, skip straight to
'Goodbye', the Leps at their prom-theme best. At my high school, we voted
AC/DC's 'You Shook Me All Night Long' the theme, so I'll cast my reunion
vote for the sultry, sexed-up swagger of 'All Night'. Fans who didn't like
the dance swing that swayed through Slang won't be likely to feel a warm
spot for the boogie that got in the Leppards button this Prince-flavored feast
of swank and innuendo.
But that's the only real detour from the neo-traditional Def Leppard sound that
has made for mass-marketable radio success over the years. In a nutshell,
there's something here for everyone, from the light and airy ('Paper Sun', 'It's
Only Love' and 'Guilty'), to the ever-present power ballad ('To Be Alive'), and
from from a punchy-pop-aesthetic ('21st Century Sha La La La Girl' and 'Day After
Day'), to a few On Through The Night and High 'N' Dry throwbacks ('Disintegrate'
and 'Kings of Oblivion').
Fans flinched when Def Leppard released Slang more than three years ago, but
they can flick their Bics and get ready to stand on their chairs once again -
Euphoria is an unashamed salute to the same big melodies and red-hot hooks that
had the Leps selling out arenas more than a decade ago.
- Paul Gargano
Well, there you have it!
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