http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/entertainment/14968229.htm

Posted on Wed, Jul. 05, 2006

Journey/Def Leppard pour on the guitars REvIEW
By ALAN K. STOUT Weekender Editor

SCRANTON – Two of the biggest rock bands of the '80s performed at the Toyota 
Pavilion at Montage Mountain on Friday before a ready-to-party crowd of 10,500. 
And though the perception might be that the two groups are quite different 
stylistically, the show revealed, surprisingly, that they might not be as far 
apart as one might think.

Journey and Def Leppard, quite simply, are both very good, guitar-driven rock 
bands with a super gift for melody. Put 'em on the same stage on the same 
night, and you've got yourself almost three hours of pop and rock classics.

America's Journey – considered by most to be the softer of the two – actually 
rocked pretty hard during most of its set. Guitarist Neal Schon, one of rock's 
finest players, gave a chunky kick to tunes such as "Be Good To Yourself," 
"Wheel In The Sky, "Chain Reaction" and "Lights" while the rest of the band 
also played more like a hard-hitting unit than a band best known for prom songs.

Though perfect musically, Journey did slightly misstep with its set list. The 
co-headline bill meant a shorter set for both bands – about 75 minutes – and 
for a group that has a "Greatest Hits" CD that has sold more than 10 million 
units, they should have played a few more. The band often journeyed into its 
more unfamiliar material, though it did end its set with a string of biggies: 
"Faithfully," "Don't Stop Believin'," a strong performance of "Separate Ways" 
and, finally, "Any Way You Want It."

England's Def Leppard – considered by most to be the harder of the two – also 
kicked it hard, particularly with tunes such as "Let It Go" from 1981's "High 
'n' Dry" album, which is clearly one of the best and most underrated hard-rock 
records ever. The band also showed its more pop-oriented side with performances 
of "Let's Get Rocked," "Make Love Like a Man" and "Hysteria."

Lep, touring in support of its new all-covers CD, "Yeah," made sure not to 
stray too far from its own batch of hits. "Foolin'," "Rocket," "Photograph," 
and "Animal" were all there, as were fun covers of "Hell Raiser," "No Matter 
What," and "Rock On."

Though Lep has performed in the region several times in recent years, Friday's 
was its sharpest gig, both musically and visually. Lead singer Joe Elliot has 
lost some range, but the sound was crisp, the band was tight, and the group 
seems to have fully emerged from its post-grunge funk.

It is again, just as it was during MTV's golden era, a group of bright, 
colorful rock stars.

The show ended with a rousing rendition of "Rock of Ages," "Love Bites" and 
"Pour Some Sugar on Me."

Journey and Def Leppard.

Lots of big hits. Lots of guitars.

And not as different as one might think.

Copyright 2006 The Times Leader