Date sent: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 21:44:18 -0400 From: "Mike N. Reinemann" Subject: Re: (no subject) http://www.knac.com/servlet/Article_Page?articleID=24346 Def Leppard Take A Ride Down The Backstreets On New Album Frank Meyer, Managing Editor Monday, October 01, 2001 02:24 PM Def Leppard Team Up With Backstreet Boys/N 'SYNC Songwriters/Producers For Upcoming Album Def Leppard are mixing it up quite a bit on their forthcoming album and for the first time in the band's history, they are using more than one producer for one album (not including the compilations Retro Active and Vault). The band is currently in the midst of recording with longtime producer Pete Woodroffe, but in addition, are employing the talents of Marti Fredericksen (Aerosmith's Just Push Play and pop tunesmiths Andreas Carlsson and Per Aldeheim, best known for their collaborations with Backstreet Boys and N 'SYNC. The album is being tracked in Los Angeles, Dublin and Sweden and is tentatively scheduled to be released in mid-2002. While Carlsson and Aldeheim may seem like unlikely choices for the hard rockin' outfit's 10th effort, the Swedish duo has had some metal experience. Aldeheim previously produced the debut album from Abstrakt Algebra, a band that featured Candlemass bassist Leif Edling and former Yngwie Malmsteen singer Mats Leven. Aldeheim also played guitar in the funk-rock band It's Alive, which was fronted by none other than Martin Sandberg (a.k.a. Martin White and Max Martin), the producer and songwriter for Backstreet Boys, N 'SYNC, Celine Dion and Bon Jovi. Frontman Joe Elliot posted a note on the band's website explaining the band's decision to go the pop route: "Carlsson and Aldeheim have worked with the Backstreet Boys and N 'SYNC, and although that may sound strange to a lot of you out there, (Leppard producer) Mutt [Lange] has worked with Britney Spears, and people still ask us why we don't work with him. Mutt works with The Corrs, has worked with Billy Ocean, so he doesn't just do rock — in fact, he doesn't even do rock anymore, he's moved on. Now as for Andreas and Per; these guys worked with Celine Dion, Britney Spears, N 'SYNC, Backstreet Boys, but...they are the biggest DIO fans on the planet! Big rockheads! And so, we got this message that they wanted to do a song with us, so we accepted that. And you know, it was comical; we were at [ABBA's] Polar Studios in Stockholm, early August, doing this song with them, and they kept asking Vivian to play [DIO's] The Last In Line! I got a bit of that on video, actually! I have been filming in the studio on and off, and I see no reason why, when all this footage is compiled, we can't put it on the web site in the future. But anyways, as much as Andreas and Per work in the pop field, they're huge rock fans, which is only a good thing." In related news, Def Leppard is asking fans to submit possible album titles to their website by December 1st for consideration by the group. Elliot noted, "It is an idea to give the fans the opportunity to give suggestions for the album title. We do have an idea for the title, one that we are actually using as a working title. We may even go with it. BUT, if somebody comes up with a better one, we would use it -- and give him or her a namecheck on the album sleeve. The title we have in mind will stay under wraps for now, but we're willing to take suggestions. I'm sure some will come up with 'We Rock' or 'Metal Forever'..... If you're thinking about sending in that kind of thing, don't bother! Also, don't send in any suggestions that end with either '-IA' or '-IZE,' as they would never be used." -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ © 2000 KNAC.COM. All Rights Reserved.