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By Brian Newcomb

Two from the band's '99 release "Euphoria" - "Paper Sun" and "Promises" - were well received, but the title track from the experimental "Slang" provided many a chance to grab another beer. The band was chastised for flirting with modern sounds, allowing industrial and funk sounds into the mix, with poor album and concert sales. Which explains "Euphoria's" return to more familiar territory. As always in pop music, no daring move or bold attempt goes unpunished.

The golden oldie, "Gods of War," was followed by "Excitable," which featured vocalist Joe Elliot working the crowd up for the big push of hits that ended the set: "Photograph", "Rocket", "Armageddon It", "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Rock of Ages." Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell both offered up fiery solos, and one-armed drummer Rick Allen provided a rock solid bottom that gives Def Leppard one of the only danceable sounds in metal.

The band returned to offer up a solid two song encore, "Love Bites" and "Let's Get Rocked." With so many '80s bands on the reunion touring circuit, it's probably best that Def Leppard stuck to the formula and delivered the expected paint-by-numbers rock and roll show with few surprises. Clearly it's what the fans demand.

By St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2000.

Read the full review at - stltoday.com

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