The story of the hardest pop rock band on the planet, Def Leppard, is one that evokes a lot of emotion.
They were the band that refused to throw in the towel even when an important cog in their machinery was taken away from them - the death of Steve Maynard Clarke (guitarist). They were the band that refused to trade friendship for progress when they refused to substitute their buddy and drummer - Rick Allen - when he lost his left hand in an accident.
The fact that Rick Allen recovered from that tragic accident and continued to play drums for Def Leppard is a miracle (he had a special drum kit made and had a series of pedals for his left foot to help him play everything he used to play with his left hand). And truth be told, this one handed drummer was better than most two handed ones.
After much debate, the band found a new member called Vivian Campbell to play guitars. Vivian Campbell brought in a new dimension to Def Leppard and the band broke away from its hard rock / pop roots to create...
Slang
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Take a good look at the cover and sleeve art and you will get a feel of - India. The music further exemplifies this feeling.
Slang is a beautiful blend of ballads and foot stomping music. An experimental work by an established band.
The album kicks off with a song called Truth? which has a great bass line and some nice guitar chops by Phil Collen. Joe Elliot sings in his signature style. Truth is followed by Turned To Dust which sounds more like the Def Leppard of the old.
They've added lots of string sections to this album.
The title song Slang makes a nice workout song. All I want is everything is a beautiful ballad with great lyrics and is highly recommended (take my word on that one)
Work It Out has the twin guitars of Def Leppard on full song, ably supported by the rhythm section and Joe Elliot's controlled low register vocals (''Its taken us all this time... only this time... we get to work it out'').
Next comes another great ballad Breathe a Sigh for those of you who like it nice and slow. Deliver Me is a song thats melodic, beautiful and complete in its melancholia. Gift of Flesh isnt the most memorable track on this record but it's still worth a listen.
The last three songs are like three diamonds set together in a sequence. The tantalizingly slow and melodic Blood Runs Cold provides a nice buildup to the brilliant ballad Where does love go when it dies which fades beautifully into my favourite track on this record...
Pearl Of Euphoria... the most experimental track on this album. The song is drenched in sensuality and mysticism... the album's swan song that builds to a crescendo that leaves one drained... yet fulfilled...
Empty room.. turn the key... you're never alone... when you're with me...
Truth?
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The album never went beyond the moderate success it enjoyed. Maybe people didnt like the unconventional approach or the fact that the band drifted from its tried and tested formula of success. Whatever the reason - Slang is a brilliant piece of work by five musicians who withstood the tests of time.
~finis~
Def Leppard is:
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Joe Elliot: Vocals
Phil Collen: Lead Guitars
Vivian Campbell: Guitars
Rick Savage: Bass / Keyboards
Rick Allen: Drums
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- Thank You! We appreciate your effort.