Def Leppard Albums Rated... Here's my list of the wonderful Def Leppard and their STUDIO-ONLY Albums, ranked from worst to best. Natch, the Leps never have done bad album, as such, just albums that fall under their high levels, that's all.So, after that disclaimer....let's go on with the show.
14 'Yeah' (2006) Whilst I am a sucker for a good cover version, I am far from being a sucker for a whole album of them! Their version of T Rex's '20th Century Boy' was fantastic, but just the thing that you'd imagine that they'd be able to do. Ditto Mott The Hoople's 'Golden Age Of Rock And Roll'. They did a good job of Badfinger's 'No Matter What', but....sorry boys.....that's about it.
13 'X' (2002) Also known as Def Leppard's pop album. No, it isn't brilliant, but it does have some of my favs of theirs. 'Four Letter Word'? I can't tell you how many times I have played that particular song, It's brilliant! As far as single-type material, I've always had a soft spot for 'Unbelievable' and 'Long, Long Way To Go'. 'Scar' is one of those epics that end up on the Leps albums and you know is gonna be good. They famously worked with outside writers and producers on this one...it shows.
12 'On Through The Night' (1980) The start of this whole story. Their debut and it shows. It could be the time or the place, but the majority of UK rock bands at this time - the time of NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) - had very rough and ready recordings. Iron Maiden. Saxon. Leps. They all had that rawness. The Leps, of course, had Tom Allen producing. The good songs, and there are some really good songs here, are 'Rock Brigade', 'Hello America', 'Satellite', 'Wasted', 'Rocks Off' and 'Overture', all showcasing various aspects of this - just remember - still teenage band. A good start, not a great start.
11 'Euphoria' (1999) Oh, I really wanted to believe. I really did. It has that title, after all. Reflects their heyday. It has some wonderful tracks, back to their 'sound', on 'Demolition Man', 'Promises', 'Back In Your Face' (how many times have I sung that one?!?!), 'It's Only Love' and, the epic, 'Paper Sun'. BUT, it also has '21st Century Sha La La La Girl'.....oh....dear! But a good album, nether the less...
10 'Def Leppard' (2015) A more consistent album but, again, not their best. The highs? 'Let's Go', 'Dangerous' and 'Man Enough' ('Another One Bites The Dust', anyone?!?) and 'All Time High'. There's intent in them grooves!
9 'Diamond Star Halo' (2022) Not a bad album, far from it, and it might just jump up the rankings in the future with repeat plays. Highly enjoyable, the band taking risks, with some paying off and some not. Highlights being the calm before the storm of 'Take What You Want', 'Kick' and 'Fire It Up'. The album, as a whole, kicks arse, and interesting that one of the tracks on here that would end up sounding better on their next album up...
8 'Drastic Symphonies' (2023) ...and that is 'Angels (Can't Help You Now)'. So, this album is essentially a stripped back recording tapes from selections of their previous albums...yeah.....and....added...Orchestrations from The Royal Philharmonic, recorded at Abbey Road Studios. It's a true integration between song and orchestra, and when it works....boy does it work! 'Animal' is very impressive, likewise 'Gods Of War', 'Paper Sun', 'Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad', 'Hysteria', 'Love' and 'Switch 625'. Comedy moment, if that is such the word, is the stately - and elegantly - re recorded version of 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'....banal words, of course, but delivered like an opera!
7 'Songs From The Sparkle Lounge' (2008) Awwwww...such a wonderful record! We have 'Go', 'Nine Lives' (the duet with country superstar, Tim McGraw), 'C'Mon, C'Mon', 'Love', 'Cruise Control' and 'Only The Good Die Young'. Love it, love it, love it!
Can you guess what's in Pt 2 ?!? What's No. 1 for Sammy Jo, a lifelong fan..
馃............I only have their first album, only because when it was released all the rock magazine were hyping them as the next Led Zeppelin............so I bought the album only to realize that they suck!............
