http://blog.al.com/scene/2008/08/review_rating_three_out_of_9.html

Def Leppard never changes its spots -- and fans at Verizon Center love that
Posted by Mary Colurso -- Birmingham News August 03, 2008 12:46 PM

Review rating: Three out of five stars

Who: Def Leppard, the latest in a series of (yawn) nostalgia rock acts booked 
at the Verizon Wireless Music Center. It's a predictable season at the 
10,500-seat amphitheater in Pelham, marked by veteran rockers (think 1970s-80s) 
and sure-shot country stars.

When: 9 p.m. Saturday, after opener Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. The steamy 
weather resulted in rivulets of sweat, glistening from the bodies on stage. It 
also prompted Def Leppard's guitarists, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, to 
perform shirtless. This was NOT a good night for one constant in the 
heavy-metal repertoire: black leather pants.

Crowd: Nearly a full house, with a few empty rows throughout the third tier. As 
usual, Def Leppard's fans were loud and lusty, dancing at their seats, pumping 
their fists or shouting wild approval.

Set list: Greatest hits galore, such as "Rocket," "Photograph," Foolin'," 
"Bringin' on the Heartbreak," "Two Steps Behind," "Hysteria," "Rock of Ages," 
"Armageddon It" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me." The band also performed a cover of 
David Essex's "Rock On" and (of course) a snippet of "Sweet Home Alabama." Lead 
singer Joe Elliott turned that part into an audience sing-along.
 

Mixing it up, just a little: Def Leppard released a CD in April, "Songs From 
the Sparkle Lounge." Playing all the latest stuff would have spurred an 
audience revolt, so the band slid a couple of tracks, "Nine Lives" and "C'mon, 
C'mon," into its well-worn repertoire. But there was nothing unusual or 
ground-breaking; both songs sounded very old-school.

Pros: Well, a hot, sticky evening in August proved infinitely preferable to a 
chill, rainy night in November. (That was the case in 2006, the last time Def 
Leppard appeared here.) Singer Elliott was in much better vocal form than he 
was two years ago; only a few of the high notes cracked or eluded him. The band 
seemed sharper and more energized, as well. Maybe Def Leppard should perform 
all of its shows in a sauna. 

Cons: Unless your eyes are glazed by longtime admiration, or you consider Def 
Leppard a guilty pleasure, the band's music comes across as dated, formulaic 
and -- thud, thud, thud -- ponderous. Also, some of the rock-star posing on 
stage, especially by guitarist Collen, can be considered vintage fun (if you're 
a fan) or cock-of-the-walk silly (if you're not).

On Jett: She sounded husky and vital, as heard from a traffic snarl on 
Amphitheater Road, a parking mess and a long walk from car to box office. Her 
7:30 p.m. agenda included signature songs such as "Bad Reputation," "Crimson 
and Clover," "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and "I Love Rock 'N' Roll." On 
stage, during the latter part of her set, Jett was drenched in perspiration and 
her punk roots were showing: black mascara, low-slung leather pants, skimpy 
bikini top, lots of attitude. At 49, she's aged well, and her songs have 
followed suit.

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