I love Def Leppard -- I don’t care who knows it and I’m sure as hell not ashamed of it. There have been a few missteps every now and then, but for the most part they have been consistently good and have remained a powerful live act. Their last effort, the irrelevant covers album Yeah!, was indeed disappointing, so it’s no surprise that just short of two years later the band have released their tenth studio album.
Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is their first album of new material in six years. If the band were hoping for redemption, they have most certainly found it in the Sparkle Lounge. It is their best album since the colossus of the ‘80s that was Hysteria. The disc’s title comes from the little room set up by the band backstage at gigs throughout their 2006 US tour, where the bulk of these songs were written (meanwhile, the cover was inspired by Monty Python’s Live At Dury Lane album, and of course, a little known band’s album about some dude named Sgt. Pepper and his lonely band.)
Recorded at singer Joe Elliott’s home studio, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is every bit as edgy and powerful as you’d expect, if not surprisingly short, clocking in at just under forty minutes. Four of the five band members have contributed songs and the band co-wrote and recorded the first single “Nine Lives” with country star Tim McGraw; unfortunately, it’s one of the only flat spots on the record. A little too run-of-the-mill for my liking and the cliché lyrics bring nothing new to the table.
Opener “Go,” however, is classic Leppard. Vivian Campbell is one of rock’s most underrated guitarists and it’s his signature sound that kicks off the album in style. Elliott’s unmistakable rasp is in fine form and the chunky arrangements and chorus harmonies are all we need to remind us how great these boys are. 
Two of the best highlights both come courtesy of bassist Rick Savage, whose obvious ‘70s influences shine through here. First up is “C’mon C’mon,” which is reminiscent of mid-‘70s glam rock for all the right reasons. A thumping Rick Allen drum pattern and a highly infectious chorus should keep the glitter rockers high for a few more years yet.
This is followed by the epic “Love,” which has been compared to Queen and it’s no wonder to me. A heavy riff quickly fades into a sublime acoustic guitar gently picking away while Elliott gives his best Mercury-style vocals yet: “Love, love look what you’ve done to my heart / Oh, I should have known from the start.” It’s a beautiful thing.
Guitarist Phil Collen rises to the challenge with two rockers of his own. “Tomorrow” is the powerful pop-rock that Leppard have become known for and was written about his father’s untimely death at the hands of cancer. However, it’s not morose but uplifting and positive in its lyrical content.
“Hallucinate” has a heavier vibe that would sit comfortably with “Animal” on the tour bus. Joe Elliott’s “Bad Actress” is a humorless stab at the modern day
By far the most original moments here are the three songs written by Vivian Campbell. “Only The Good Die Young” is the most commercial of the three and was written about Steve Clark, whom
The third of Viv’s trilogy is the darkest and best song to emerge from the Sparkle Lounge. “Cruise Control” was written after his guitar tech told him to play something “satanic.” The opening riff is the result and coupled with the religious leaning lyrics -- “I close my eyes I bend in prayer / I train my mind to not just care / And to my god I give my soul / I train my mind to cruise control” -- it packs a mean left (field) hook.
Produced by the band along with Ronan McHugh, Songs From The Sparkle Lounge is heavy, short, and to the point. As a classic Def Leppard album, all the boxes are checked and nothing is missing. The band sounds as though they are still having fun, and these songs will easily work their way into the set-list without any trouble.