Birmingham, England - Media Reviews
Def Leppard @ Birmingham NEC By Dave Reynolds
If you needed proof that rock isn't quite as dead as a dodo then Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre was the place to be tonight. However, unlike a band as magnetic as Kiss, Def Leppard seem to attract an audience primarily made up of those 30 and fortysomethings who've lived through the triumphs and tragedies of Sheffield's finest over the last 20 years. And Joe Elliott in particular can sleep soundly with the knowledge that there are still women out there who want to marry him and have his babies!.
Eschewing the blinding light show and pyrotechnics of yore for a more streamlined. back-to-basics approach., Leppard hit the ground running. In front of a huge Union jack backdrop, the band reeled off a high voltage trio of hard rockers comprising 'Rock! Rock! (Til You Drop)', The Sweet's 'Action' and 'Euphoria' number 'Demolition Man'. The latter was sadly without album guest Damon Hill who was otherwise engaged on a manic mission of his own in Malaysia.
Switching down a gear with the moody classic 'Women', Leppard then began to deliver a more diverse selection of strictly back-catalogue greats, choosing to offer only two other numbers from the new album in the superb 'Paper Sun' and lighter fuelled 'Promises'. This then, was clearly more a celebration of Def Leppard's longevity than a tour to plug the new record.
Unfortunately, Joe Elliott's unpredictable tour voice let him down a couple of times. By his own admission he sounded like Tarzan on 'Make Love Like A Man!' But the guy got stronger as time went on, and by the encores he was at full steam with guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick Savage and drummer Rick Allen to glorious effect.
By Classic Rock 1999.
Def Leppard @ Birmingham NEC By By Craig Aston
I had been to see the Leppard once before in 1996; then Terrorvision were supporting, who were arguably the biggest rock band in the mainstream charts of that time, but struggled to even hold a candle to Def Leppard. However, times change so very quickly in the world of music, and certainly three years in the minds of most British music lovers is a long time, considering the popularity of individuals Spears, Aguilera, Williams, and so on.
As is often the case with an aged, and out of favour band, they tend to hang on to the past, and the nostalgia that fans of Def Leppard past and present, still yearn for. Although the album 'Euphoria' provides a brief respite into the structure of albums of the past, the actions of the band members during the performances seemed too choreographed for the members of the audience to be fully interested; certainly, both times I have seen them, Terrorvision for support in '96, and Lukan in '99, they started off with 'Rock! Rock! 'Till you Drop!' from the Pyromania album, and did tend to focus on the their two big albums from the 80's, "Pyromania" and "Hysteria", playing three songs from the current album, the title track from "Slang", two from the "Adrenalize" album, and two from the "High 'N' Dry" album.
In turn being committed to the audiences' responses, they are probably realising that they've had their day in the UK market, but may find some comfort in the US, where there is a wider scope of music genres available on stations. Although it is pleasant to hear the technical prowess of Def Leppard ahead of some of today's bands, their time has been perceived to have been gone, unless they can match or go further beyond the differences in style of the 'slang' album of 96.
Despite that, the band's members were technically impressive, with Phil Colleen, Rick Allen, and Viv Campbell, still proving that such ability shines through in the modern environment. Although a lot of potential has been seen in the years that have past.
By GarbledOnline 1999.
Fiery shots from middle-aged cannons; Def Leppard NEC By Steve Adams
There can be few better exponents of the rock, rock till you drop adage than Def Leppard, who have stubbornly survived personal tragedies, dwindling album sales and the aging process with a surprising degree of good humour and dignity.
A dozen years ago they were top of the world - their Hysteria album sold 15 million copies - but even now they not only continue to draw a respectable crowd but also send them home happy. Hardly surprising given that the set list heavily favours the radio-friendly rock of their two biggest albums, the aforementioned Hysteria and its breakthrough predecessor Pyromania pyromania /py·ro·ma·nia/ (-ma´ne-ah) the compulsion to set or watch fires in the absence of monetary or other gain, the act being preceded by tension or arousal and resulting in pleasure or relief. . Indeed the old favourites - Photograph, Animal, Foolin', Pour Some Sugar On Me, Lets Get Rocked - could all have been hit singles (some were), and have worn surprisingly well. Quite an achievement given the limitations of singer Joe Elliott and the fact that the band's trademark multi-tracked vocal choruses are a tough act to reproduce live.
In contrast, material from recent albums Slang and Euphoria sit more naturally in the live arena, although this hardly compensates for the fact that this is undeniably substandard.
But for all the misgivings, Leppard go about their business with the energy of young guns rather than middle-aged cannons. And while it's hardly new, relevant or cool, there's no denying that the whole shooting match makes for a lively evening's entertainment, particularly if you like punching the air and songs with the word rock in the title.
By Birmingham Post & Mail 1999.
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