This album sounds nothing less than a Def Leppard album. There are some modern influences throughout, whether intentional or not, but overall the Lepps are back, their concert isn’t far away, and I must learn some of their new songs.

This album made me so happy from the get go. Pour Some Sugar On Me, is undoubtedly Def Leppard’s most well known song. Let’s Go has a bit of that vibe to it, especially in the intro with that electric guitar riff, but it is a perfect start to the album and really gets that head banging. Dangerous is also enriched with that 80’s Glam Rock sound. You might hear a hint of their 1983 hit, Photograph in this one. It is Def Leppard we are listening to after all and it only makes sense they infuse their own classics into their own new songs; better than a copy-paste job from someone else. Without their original producer, Lang, they’re doing okay.
Man Enough is the Lepps attempt at lyrically gender-bending. It’s very funky, almost disco-ish, with the lyric ‘are you man enough to be my girl?’ laid on top of a cool bass riff. I can hear a bit of Another One Bites The Dust through it.
We Belong has a mellow influence to the album but, Invincible is trying very hard to be an anthem of sorts, with lyrics such as, ‘I am invincible ‘cause my love is here to stay/…I will chase the ghost away/when you need a light…/I’m not invisible…’ You can hear a hint of their true accents in this one.
Sea Of Love has a sing-a-long-like vibe with a slight Sweet Home Alabama feel in the verses.
Energised could be the Lepps only attempt at something a little bit more modern. The melodic drum beat sounds electronic.
All Time High finally takes us back to what the first tracks of the album do. It’s as exciting. This then leads us to the semi-acoustic Battle of My Own which is gripped by a folk sound to beginning with, but is very cool toward the end where it starts to rock out for only a minute. It’s short, but sweet.
Even in the title, Broke ‘n’ Brokenhearted is going to be fun live. It’s another sing-along, up-beat and laid-back rocker for the band with lyrics such as, ‘I’m not well, I’m mad as hell/…get over here, I’ll kick your ass.’ It is an attempt at staying as cool as possible.
Forever Young sounds like something inspired by the Foo Fighters. The song seems a little more musically challenging. Nevertheless, it is a fun one to head bang to.
Last Dance is that classic Rock ballad the album needed.
Wings of an Angel allows the band to rock out once again in the latter part of their self-titled album. The guitar solo here is great but not long enough.
Blind Faith is something and probably the only thing on this album you wouldn’t expect. It’s a little psychedelic, but the guitar solo in it is very captivating. It does give us one last taste at something high tempo in the last few seconds of this over 5 minute song. It is a very epic song and an exceptional end to a diverse and true-to-self album.

I just want to thank the lads of Def Leppard for being very true to themselves and sticking to their distinct sound, and not falling into the trap of needing to be modern and relevant. It wont get air play here is Australia, especially on commercial stations, but if you’re a true Def Leppard fan, let alone an 80’s Rock fan, you’ll appreciate this album. The old fella’s have still got it.

Def Leppard’s 2015 self-titled album is worth a true rockers time, which is why I give it 4 out of 5.

I will be heading to the Def Leppard concert on Wednesday the 18th of November, 2015, and a review of that will be up shortly after. Be sure to subscribe to find out how it went, and to read whatever else I have to say.