Def Leppard's SLANG Deluxe Edition

manny wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

File this one under "least essential reissue"

LOL!!! My brother keeps trying to convince me that it's a good album "once you get used to it..." I still don't like it

I am friends with your brother on FB and I agree with him Leo, underrated Def Leppard platter, just ignore the title track!

He's been trying to convince me it's a great album since it was released..... I have given it a chance over the years and it doesn't click with me..... never could get into this one!

Eyesore wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

After the Hysteria album and Steve Clark's death, I lost interest. Maybe if they allowed Viv Campbell to play more and contribute to the music, it would make a difference.

Well, since you lost interest you are apparently unaware that Campbell has contributed plenty.

Really? I heard him complain not that long ago about Phil getting to play all the good stuff, and I'm sure also has the final say about what makes it on the albums. With Vivian's renewed interest in his old Dio guitar style, I would welcome some of that energy and flair into DL's sound.

Phil gets the most solos live because they mostly play pre-Viv material. But Viv has contributed to every album he's been a part of.

thejokeriv wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

File this one under "least essential reissue"

LOL!!! My brother keeps trying to convince me that it's a good album "once you get used to it..." I still don't like it

  

Famous lasts words, "you'll really like it once you get used to it..."

The biggest problem with this album from day one were the two back to back singles that the band released. When I saw the video for "Slang" shortly after its release, I nearly threw up. I had decided that there was no way this album would have any redeeming value. Then I saw the video for "Work It Out" a few months later, and was sure I had made the right decision in staying away from this monstrosity. It wasn't until a few years ago on this very site where a few people championed this album, stating how it really wasn't that bad, so I finally decided to give it a fair shake.

First off, it's not Def Leppard's worst album, as that award goes out to "X", which is a steaming pile. In fact, "Slang" might even be better than "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge"? "Pearl of Euphoria" is the one amazing song on this album, and is unmatched, though I do also enjoy the tracks "Turn To Dust", "Deliver Me", "Truth?" & "Gift of Flesh". The other five songs on this album I don't really care for at all, especially the aforementioned singles, which I believe are terrible representations of an average album.

Will I go out and get the Deluxe Edition? Hell no, but this album doesn't suck as much people think. I still can't believe "High 'N Dry" hasn't gotten a deluxe edition. That's an absolute travesty!

Exactly. High N Dry is much more deserving.

Dark Horseman wrote:

Exactly. High N Dry is much more deserving.

Not much of a fan here, but this makes complete sense. Are there deluxe editions of Pyromania and Adrenalize as well?

corplhicks wrote:

Dark Horseman wrote:

Exactly. High N Dry is much more deserving.

Not much of a fan here, but this makes complete sense. Are there deluxe editions of Pyromania and Adrenalize as well?

Yes. And Hysteria.

Eyesore wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

Dark Horseman wrote:

Exactly. High N Dry is much more deserving.

Not much of a fan here, but this makes complete sense. Are there deluxe editions of Pyromania and Adrenalize as well?

Yes. And Hysteria.

Oh yeah, Hysteria.

'X' is an album chock full of world class songwriting. It's actually DL's most "AOR" album...

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

'X' is an album chock full of world class songwriting. It's actually DL's most "AOR" album...

But aside from a few songs, it doesn't sound right. It's like band almost being able to pull off Def Leppard. There's something missing.

Eyesore wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

'X' is an album chock full of world class songwriting. It's actually DL's most "AOR" album...

But aside from a few songs, it doesn't sound right. It's like band almost being able to pull off Def Leppard. There's something missing.

It's the ultimate sh!t sandwich. You have "Now" and the phenomenal "Scar", with a huge turd in between.

Eyesore wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

'X' is an album chock full of world class songwriting. It's actually DL's most "AOR" album...

But aside from a few songs, it doesn't sound right. It's like band almost being able to pull off Def Leppard. There's something missing.

Not for me. All it may be lacking from my perspective is maybe beefier guitars...

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

'X' is an album chock full of world class songwriting. It's actually DL's most "AOR" album...

But aside from a few songs, it doesn't sound right. It's like band almost being able to pull off Def Leppard. There's something missing.

Not for me. All it may be lacking from my perspective is maybe beefier guitars...

For me, most songs sound like they were meant for top 40 pop stars and guitars were added as an afterthought. Obviously all the outside songwriters played a role in that, but something about the album doesn't sit right with me either way. And trust me, they're my favorite band; I'd love to love that album. =(

I wish they would do a deluxe of "on through the night" and "high n dry" already, but I can see they want to save the best for last   

I'll get this 'cause I'm a Def Leppard nut, and there's quite a bit here I don't have, but among all the bonus stuff, there's a couple of b-sides missing from this era:  'When Saturday Comes' and 'Jimmy's Theme' -- they were also used in a British soccer movie, I think.
Always liked 'When Saturday Comes...'

HellRaiser wrote:

I'll get this 'cause I'm a Def Leppard nut, and there's quite a bit here I don't have, but among all the bonus stuff, there's a couple of b-sides missing from this era: 'When Saturday Comes' and 'Jimmy's Theme' -- they were also used in a British soccer movie, I think.
Always liked 'When Saturday Comes...'

Yup. Good tunes. "Led Boots" and "Cause We Ended As Lovers" would probably have been better choices than rough mixes of other songs. Then again, I haven't heard the rough mixes and both songs are really not Def Leppard songs at all; they're Jeff Beck covers that Viv and Phil contributed to the Jeffology tribute album.

So it looks like most of these songs aren't completely "unreleased." Most that appear to be unheard songs are just early versions of other songs. Unheard in these particular versions, but not entirely new to fans. "Raise Your Love" is an early version of "Slang," for instance.

Amazon has samples up, so you can go there and check it all out.

I wish on through the night would get a deluxe release...maybe add the ep and early demo tracks plus some early live material...high n dry also deserves a deluxe release

Out today.

brokentulsa wrote:

I wish on through the night would get a deluxe release...maybe add the ep and early demo tracks plus some early live material...high n dry also deserves a deluxe release

Yes, This!!!!!

and add First Strike. It would be nice to have an official bootleg version.

Gave it a fresh spin. It's not a great album, but I still think it's better than the overly produced crap like "Adrenalize" and "Hysteria". At least it sounds like a rock band, even if it is a modern rock band.

Eyesore wrote:

HellRaiser wrote:

I'll get this 'cause I'm a Def Leppard nut, and there's quite a bit here I don't have, but among all the bonus stuff, there's a couple of b-sides missing from this era:  'When Saturday Comes' and 'Jimmy's Theme' -- they were also used in a British soccer movie, I think.
Always liked 'When Saturday Comes...'

Yup. Good tunes. "Led Boots" and "Cause We Ended As Lovers" would probably have been better choices than rough mixes of other songs. Then again, I haven't heard the rough mixes and both songs are really not Def Leppard songs at all; they're Jeff Beck covers that Viv and Phil contributed to the Jeffology tribute album.

These four songs are included as bonus tracks on the iTunes version, along with a few others.

Didn't like Slang much the first time I listened to it, but now I can appreciate it a bit more. I've also softened my stance on X, and I do sort of like it now. I initially thought it was a poor attempt at imitating pop-punk groups like Simple Plan and Matchbox 20, but now I can appreciate what they were trying to do there.

http://www.wlup.com/defslang

Cool little interview with Joe, Phil and Viv, where they discuss a bunch of stuff about Slang.