Boston/Mansfield, MA - Media Reviews

Don't stop believin' in timeless Journey By Christopher John Treacy

The metal-pop runt of the Sheffield, UK, postpunk litter (Human League, Cabaret Voltaire), Def Leppard's later set was full of mischievous party spirit, sharp licks from unbelievably buff guitarist Phil Collen, 49, and one-armed wonder, drummer Rick Allen's backbeats.

Opening with 'Let's Get Rocked,' now-chubby Joe Perry's nasal screech led Def Leppard through 'Bringin' on the Heartbreak,' 'Foolin' 'Women,' complete with comic-book depiction on the screens above, unremarkable but entertaining versions of T Rex's '20th Century Boy' and the David Essex classic 'Rock On,' both off Leppard's recent covers disc, 'Yeah,' plus 'Rock of Ages,' 'Photograph,' and 'Love Bites.'

Despite sounding decent and having a funky multitiered stage set, Def Leppard couldn't match Journey's satisfying professionalism and crowd-pleasing energy, thus separating the men from the boys. But it had to be tough for any band to follow a set so lid-tight the music locked inside will remain fresh for at least another 20 years.

Boston Herald 2006.

Def Leppard and Journey in concert By rhodeislandrock

On to the Leps!.. Def Leppard always has a great live show. I saw them a few years ago on the X Tour and they opened the first part of their set by playing the whole High 'n Dry album! Now THAT was an awesome show! The show I saw following Journey's awesome opening left a lot to be desired. I'm a big Def Leppard guy, I was there since Pyromania and I am devout in worshipping the pre-Hysteria and post-Retroactive eras. What I heard and saw was boring.

First, Joe Elliot's voice is either shot or strained from the rigors of touring. He didn't sound like Joe Elliot. I realize age and lifestyle may have something to do with it, we all can't be in our mid-20s forever! He gets a pass.

Second, the setlist was too predictable.

A setlist full of surprises! Yeah right! I like the hits just like anyone else but I could use a couple of curveballs in there to freshen it up. Nice to hear 'Let It Go' again, best song of the set. I saw some people singing along but most of the crowd just stood there. I sang right along and I think I annoyed the young ladies to my left. They got revenge by spilling their beer on me more than a couple of times. Nothing is more annoying than spilled beer on your jeans so I decided my Pepsi just had to be spilled into their merchandise bag. It was an accident, I swear! At least they were dry and didn't smell like Bud Lite!

Back to the show..I didn't like Yeah! when it was released but the 2 songs played from it live were pretty good. They pulled it off and they were a pleasant diversion from the Hysteria-filled set. I still like Hysteria but do we really need to seven songs from the album? Why not throw in a track from Slang, Euphoria, or X? I understand the crowd wants to hear familiar songs but the diehards keep the flames going when the masses don't buy the new albums (see the last two studio albums), why not throw them a bone and play a tune from On Through The Night? When a band like Def Leppard goes out of their way to denounce their Heavy Metal/Hard Rock roots in the press, why can't they back it up live and play newer material? Def Leppard isn't the only band guilty of pandering the hits, KISS does it all the time and I rip them too. The covers count but they really don't, play some of your OWN material, please!

Overall, I enjoyed the hits, I just hoped for more, I expected more variety. I've seen this set before basically, it was no surprise. I left at the encore to beat the crowd. By that time they hadn't played 'Love Bites' or 'Sugar', not their best songs and I really didn't need the chicks next to me spilling more drinks. It was all too predictable.

By RockHardHeavyMetal 2006.

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