From Chad Bowar,
Your Guide to Heavy Metal.
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Def Leppard is one of the most popular and commercially successful bands in all of music. Hysteria is one of the best selling CDs in history, and the band has had a string of radio hits over the years. However, the past several years haven't been as successful. Their last gold record was 1999's Euphoria. After releasing a covers album in 2006, Def Leppard returns with their first CD of original material since 2002.

Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is vintage Def Leppard. The album is packed with polished, catchy, memorable songs. They've always been able to write great hooks and choruses, and that's on full display here. Even though their time at the top of the pop charts has probably passed, it's great to hear a band that's been around for so long still sounding energized. The band also collaborates with country singer Tim McGraw on the song "Nine Lives."

As far as comparisons to earlier Def Leppard albums, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge has elements of their most successful albums of the '80s in terms of catchy and memorable songs. It doesn't have that really slick production, which does give it a bit more contemporary sound. At first listen I wasn't blown away by this CD, but it's really grown on me after hearing it several times.

(released April 29, 2008 on Island Records)