DEF LEPPARD / EUPHORIA
                        LABEL: BLUGEON RIFFOLA / MERCURY JAPAN PHCW-1030
                                             OVERALL: 93% 

                              Produced by: Pete Woodruff & Def Leppard 


Well here it is!
There isn't much point writing a big intro into this review. We all
know where that band have been, what they have done and
whether we like what we have heard over the past few years. What
we are all interested in and what you are about to read - is that was
this latest seeming endless wait for a new Def Leppard album
really worth it?

Have they returned to their overly produced bombastic multi
layered ways?

Have they actually let the great Vivian Campbell write more than
one tune this time? Well, here folks, are all the answers....

Euphoria is indeed a glorious return to the band's harmony filled
glory days.

I won't say it's a return to form, as they never really lost it as I really
liked Slang. It was different, but very good. Sure as hell better than
the sub par Adrenalize.

Regardless, Euphoria is still better than both. It's nearest rival is
Hysteria itself, which is still streaks ahead, but this is damn good.
Euphoria uses the best of everything that made Def Leppard the
multi platinum act they are. The harmonies and big choruses are all
back in their over blown form that made Hysteria great and the guitars 
and back to their melodic multi layered best, with chops and rhythms 
going everywhere. So much so it will be several weeks before anyone will 
know the record off by heart. The album takes the 90's feel of Slang, 
complete with samples, some synthesizers, drum rhythms, but with less of 
the distorted guitar sounds and mixes it with the uptempo more commercially 
friendly Adrenalize record.  There are also parts of Hysteria at play. A 
much stronger production than Adrenalize and tighter songs than that album.

Tracks like Demolition Man and Promises could have easily come from Hysteria.

In simple terms Euphoria takes the modern 90's sound of Slang and adds the 
typical Leppard feel of Adrenalize and Hysteria. But it would have been 
even better if they stuck totally to the Hysteria feel, as they did with 
these opening two tracks.

Demolition Man is the most frenzied intro to a Leppard album to date! A big 
fast paced hard rocker with plenty of vocals, guitars, harmonies and a real 
feel good way about it. The Leps are back!

And how about Promises! Damn how good is this? Easily good enough to be a 
part of Hysteria, this Mutt Lange co-written track has everything. A moody 
multi-layered verse and a killer anthem chorus not heard since Armageddon 
It and Animal.

Back In Your Face is another top notch hard rocker. A little more into the 
Adrenalize feel, something like Personal Property, but another big killer 
chorus with hooks everywhere.

Goodbye is the first of a few big schmultzy ballads. What can I say? Great 
big ballad, but it's always going to be pretty hard for the guys to record 
another original ballad like Hysteria, Love Bites, When Love And Hate 
Collide. This time the guys have gone the Bryan Adams/Mutt Lange path of 
big ballads like Died And Gone To Heaven and Have You Ever Needed Someone 
So Bad.  No complaints though, this is still a great tune. Do I need to 
add anything about the harmonies and huge backing vocals? None bigger.

The only song I have a real problem with is All Night. I might have guessed 
that Mutt Lange co-wrote this. This is the type of disposable 'I want to 
bonk you' song that Mutt and his Mrs. have been churning out for the past 
18 months.  C'mon guys, you are better than this! Still we have to pass 
through it to get to the awesome next track, so hang in for the chorus. 
That's pretty big!

Paper Sun is that awesome next track. A much darker feel than the rest of 
the album and several layers deep in heavy guitars. It reminds me a little 
of what Motley Crue were trying to achieve in some places on Generation 
Swine. The Leps do it better.

It's Only Love is the second big schmultzy ballad. Another great radio 
friendly harmony filled track, but a more uptempo number.

21st Century Sha La La Girl is a good fun hard rocker in the vein of Let's 
Get Rocked or I Want To Touch U off Adrenalize. Commercially friendly for 
FM rock stations.

To Be Alive is ballad number 3. Much of the same. Love these Leppard 
ballads, but a rocker or moodier track might have been a better idea.

Disintergrate is an instrumental, which I don't think they guys have done 
on an album since God knows when (ever?). Cool and pretty flat chat.

Guilty is the last of the big ballads, but is one of the best on the album. 
Hit hit hit!

Day After Day is almost exactly what I called for a track or two back. Big, 
heavy and moody, but not quite as memorable as some of the bigger hook numbers.

Kings Of Oblivion is a good was to end the album. Great uptempo rocker. A 
little back to the Pyromania days here, but with a 90's feel. This one will 
appeal to the older fans I think.

I Am Your Child is the Japanese only bonus track, but it's likely to turn 
up on a single sooner or later. It's kinda uptempo and moody and has a 
cool guitar sound and a big hook in the chorus.  Another track that brings 
a little Pyromania into the mix.

Much has been made of Mutt Lange's involvement in this album. Apart from 
writing maybe the best track of the album, his contribution I think is 
negligible. The other tracks include an OK big ballad and a forgettable 
crotch rocker.

Instead all the credit must go to the band for wanting to do this and to 
Pete Woodruff for getting such a great performance from the guys. And for 
getting the complexity of the layers into something resembling a Mutt 
Lange production.

Best album since Hysteria and proves the guys still have it. Rock on... 

PRODUCTION: 93%           SONGS: 89%         VIBE: 92%      ATTITUDE: 95%