Def Leppard just got it, you know? They just went in, got into a nice little studio in Holland – Wisseloord Studios, in Hilversum – as well as another one in Ireland – Windmill Lane Sudio 2, in Dublin – and created what turned out to be one of the greatest albums in the history of albums that someone like me should be reviewing. I know that was a hell of a long sentence to put in here, but what the hell, right?
Anyway, this album is twelve songs putting together some of the wildest sounds to ever be produced by John “Mutt” Lange, better known as Mr. Twain (that’s SHANIA for those of you who don’t know he’s married to her).
Hysteria came out of a tragedy that only Def Leppard could endure, the losing of an arm by their drummer, Rick Allen. But there they went – lead singer Joe Elliot, guitarists Phil Collen and Steve Clark, and bassist Rick “Sav” Savage – telling their comrade that no, they wouldn’t get another drummer and no, they weren’t gonna go around moping forever. After Allen got his new drumkit – where he would play what he used to play with his left arm, with his left foot – they got together and put songs into vinyl that most bands would rent their parents to have written.
I think any album that has seven singles (you read that right folks, seven), out of which all of them are amazing, deserves what it gets – in this case, sales of over 15 million all around the world. But, oh, wait a minute here. Oh yeah, it’s probably the only album ever to have given birth to seven singles!
Women, Rocket, Animal, Love Bites, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Armaggedon It, and Hysteria roared out of radio stations and had their videos played round the clock on Mtv from 1987 until 1989. Ironically enough, Pour Some Sugar on Me was a song that Joe Elliot did not want to put on the album because he thought it wasn’t up to snuff. It turned out to be the biggest hit of the album.
Reasons to buy this album:
1) It'll give you all the answers you need to the question "So what was the big deal with Def Leppard?"
2) Checking out the reasons why drummer Rick Allen, even though having only one arm, was named best drummer by many music magazines in the late 80's.
3) It's probably a good idea to get an album that took four years to make!
So, for those of you taking note, yes, go out and buy Hysteria, by your friendly neighborhood band (if you’re from Sheffield, England) Def Leppard. You will like it. You will love it. You will show it to your grandchildren one day and they will love it, too.
Next up: A little something I wrote in ode to some of the most important people in rock.
Anyway, this album is twelve songs putting together some of the wildest sounds to ever be produced by John “Mutt” Lange, better known as Mr. Twain (that’s SHANIA for those of you who don’t know he’s married to her).
Hysteria came out of a tragedy that only Def Leppard could endure, the losing of an arm by their drummer, Rick Allen. But there they went – lead singer Joe Elliot, guitarists Phil Collen and Steve Clark, and bassist Rick “Sav” Savage – telling their comrade that no, they wouldn’t get another drummer and no, they weren’t gonna go around moping forever. After Allen got his new drumkit – where he would play what he used to play with his left arm, with his left foot – they got together and put songs into vinyl that most bands would rent their parents to have written.
I think any album that has seven singles (you read that right folks, seven), out of which all of them are amazing, deserves what it gets – in this case, sales of over 15 million all around the world. But, oh, wait a minute here. Oh yeah, it’s probably the only album ever to have given birth to seven singles!
Women, Rocket, Animal, Love Bites, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Armaggedon It, and Hysteria roared out of radio stations and had their videos played round the clock on Mtv from 1987 until 1989. Ironically enough, Pour Some Sugar on Me was a song that Joe Elliot did not want to put on the album because he thought it wasn’t up to snuff. It turned out to be the biggest hit of the album.
Reasons to buy this album:
1) It'll give you all the answers you need to the question "So what was the big deal with Def Leppard?"
2) Checking out the reasons why drummer Rick Allen, even though having only one arm, was named best drummer by many music magazines in the late 80's.
3) It's probably a good idea to get an album that took four years to make!
So, for those of you taking note, yes, go out and buy Hysteria, by your friendly neighborhood band (if you’re from Sheffield, England) Def Leppard. You will like it. You will love it. You will show it to your grandchildren one day and they will love it, too.
Next up: A little something I wrote in ode to some of the most important people in rock.
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