Product Description

Tenth album from the Sheffield hard rockers, the follow-up to 2006's covers set 'Yeah' and their first album of original material since 2002's 'X'. Named for the backstage area where they wrote most of the material, this is allegedly a return to their hard-rocking roots after the toned-down adult pop sound of 'X', containing no ballads. Produced by the band's long-standing engineer Ronan McHugh, it includes the single 'Nine Lives' which features a guest appearance from country star Tim McGraw.

Track Listing

1. Go
2. Nine Lives - Def Leppard, Tim McGraw
3. C'mon C'mon
4. Love
5. Tomorrow
6. Cruise Control
7. Hallucinate
8. Only The Good Die Young
9. Bad Actress
10. Come Undone
11. Gotta Let It Go
12. Love

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1590 in Music
• Released on: 2008-05-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 44 minutes

Customer Reviews

It isn't Hysteria, but...
Finally, they're back with a _very good_ work. If you like Def Leppard sound, I suggest you to buy this album.

Good, But No Cigar
My faith has recently been restored in Def Leppard. After taking no notice of them whatsoever for over 15 years, I was dragged along to their (sold out) gig at the Cardiff CIA with "Whitesnake". The Whitesnake show was dire, but Leppard were surprisingly superb and reminded me why I loved them so much 20-odd years ago. Hence I rushed straight out and bought "Sparkle Lounge", which I've found to be a bit disappointing. That's not to say it's a bad album, it's just a pretty average Leppard record. Both of their last albums, "X" and "Euphoria", were a lot better. "Sparkle Lounge" is on a par with "Slang". Most of the songs are standard hard rock faire, lack soul, and wash straight over you. It does, however, have moments of greatness ("C'Mon C'Mon" & "Only The Good Die Young") and brilliance ("Love"). But the Leppard we all know and love are a lot more slick and melodic than this, even their power ballads are usually a guilty pleasure. I'd never condone sticking to a formula, but Leppard are one band, at their vintage, that should really play to their strengths. All that criticism aside, "Sparkle Lounge" is a worthy addition to anyone's collection, but don't expect "Hysteria". Leppard are a great, British rock institution that deserve the praise they're currently receiving. Although I'm not quite sure why it's been forthcoming on the back of this album. It's beyond me why "Sparkle Lounge" has been so successful when the previous two (original) albums deserved it so much more, perhaps it's simply that the timing is right for them.

HARDER THAN WE ARE USED TO BUT..HMMMMMM
You know, I like Def Leppard I really do. Since 1980 I followed (and bought) their albums that saw them go mega, especially in the States. But, like many fans after Hysteria it went down hill for me, and whilst I have copies of X, Adrenalise etc it takes a lot for me to enthuse about these great guys like I used to. So, when they launch a new album, and tour with Whitesnake, I wasn't sure what Leppard would jump out at me. The "sexy rock" of the mid 80's or the wild, ravaging hungry hunter that has become their taste lately. Well, "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" distinctly lives in 2008 metal land. Hard, fast guitars, modern hooks these guys are aiming for teenage and mid 20's metal fans. Err... Didn't they do that in 1983, 85, 87....

Ok, so what I am on about here, well the album is just rather bland. it's heavy, yes. It's guitars, it's up to date, it's dull... Sorry, what was that. yes, it's a bit dull. Heavily engineered guitars, limited melody, little individualism and definetley no distinction.
If you yearn for more melody, ballads, acoustic and catchy rock - look elsewhere this album just doesn't do it for me and what seems like quite a few other Leppard fans.