DEF LEPPARD - Acoustic Medley [iTunes exclusive] (2012-13)

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DEF LEPPARD have released (the last December 18) "Acoustic Medley", a special medley of acoustic rock songs performed and recorded during their ‘Rock of Ages 2012’ tour.
The seven-and-a-half minute single download features a seemless blend of acoustic hits from the ’90s and early 2000s, including "Where Does Love Go When It Dies", "Now", "When Love And Hate Collide", "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad" and "Two Steps Behind".
The track is available exclusively through iTunes.

I was expecting another 'the same sh#t' again, but these takes are really good and performed emotionally. Each song gets a verse and chorus before an effortless transition to the next portion.
Besides, production is excellent.

From March 22nd through April 10th, 2013, Def Leppard will be taking over the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for an exclusive nine show residency entitled VIVA Hysteria.
The band will perform their iconic album 'Hysteria' in full in addition to a greatest hits segment.


Acoustic Medley 2012:
# Where Does Love Go When It Dies
# Now
# When Love and Hate Collide
# Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad
# Two Steps Behind


BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/acoustic-medley-2012-single/id585906148

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DEF LEPPARD - Rock Of Ages / Pour... 2012 versions (2012)

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DEF LEPPARD are so classic that a new film starring Tom Cruise is bearing the name of one of their '80s anthems.
Hitting the big screen on June 15, Rock Of Ages is a classic love story told with backdrop of the '80s Sunset Strip hair metal scene and the music that fueled it.

To help celebrate the highly anticipated blockbuster that shares its name with one of their biggest hit single, Def Leppard have recorded new versions of "Rock Of Ages" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me," which are also be available on the two major digital music carriers.
This marks the first time in Def Leppard's legendary history that studio versions of their tracks will be available digitally.
Amazon is selling the tracks individually with new artwork for each, while iTunes sells both as a pack with a unique art.

Mmm... I'm not sure that the band has put these out 'To help celebrate the highly anticipated blockbuster'... it's more to capitalise the movie's buzz and promote the band's US summer tour.
Anyway, both new 2012 versions sound fine.
Surely some multi-track from the original recording sessions were used here, mainly Joe Elliot's vocals. But the guitar parts are new, and the whole thing has been remixed.

"Pour Some Sugar On Me 2012" sounds pretty much the same, altough with new driving guitars, and the intro is gone.
"Rock Of Ages 2012" is the more interesting. This classic has received an updated, modern melodic rock sound. Let's say, more 'clean', as in the 'Adrenalize' era. Cool indeed.
This is the only 'new' material from the band to see light this year, so seize the moment.


01 - Pour Some Sugar On Me (2012 Re-Recorded Version)


02 - Rock Of Ages (2012 Re-Recorded Version)



BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/pour-some-sugar-on-me-rock/id530707298
www.amazon.com/Pour-Some-Sugar-On-Me/dp/B008593MIU
www.amazon.com/Rock-Of-Ages/dp/B008593C62

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DEF LEPPARD - Mirror Ball Live & More (2011)

DEF LEPPARD, with more than 65 million albums sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards (they are one of only 5 rock bands to have two consecutive 10 million plus selling albums in the U.S., the others are The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Van Halen.) to their credit, continue to be one of the most important forces in rock music.

Def Leppard remain one of the world’s biggest and most successful live acts.
The band last played the UK and Eire in 2009 – headlining Download festival that year after a hugely successful sold out UK Arena tour in 2008.
2011 will see Def Leppard headline Download Festival for the second time in three years. The band will also play Arena shows in both Dublin and Belfast with legendary special guests Alice Cooper and Thin Lizzy.
Besides, the band is releasing this summer their first-ever official live album, “MIRROR BALL”. The live album was recorded across the world over the course of many of the band’s sold-out dates during 2008 and 2009.

The live recordings are very well done and the mix and post-production have the typical Def Lepp lush and polished sound.
But the good thing is they have preserved the instrument separation, which gives the songs a real live feel. Joe Elliot sounds really good, although he has lost some of his vocal power.
The real winners here are the guitars by Phil Collen & Vivian Campbell, that luckily both are very up in the final mix.
All the classic hits are present with good versions, most of them faithful to the originals with minor changes.
The best, to me, are the awesome take of "Bringin' On The Heartbreak", complete with the audience involvement, and surprisingly; the instrumental "Switch 625" where both guitars find room to shine along.

The album includes three new studio songs: "Undefeated" composed by Joe Elliott with the classic Def Lepp style, the excellent "Kings Of The World" by Rick Savage, a big, epic anthem that brings you back to Queen II , and finally "It's All About Believin` " penned by Phil Collen, a melodic and catchy melodic rocker.


Better than I expected, "Mirror Ball" is a good live recording, capturing the band's essence, 'the' official live album after +30 years.
Plus, the new songs are good enough to enjoy some new material.


Disc 1
1. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
2. Rocket
3. Animal
4. C’Mon C’Mon
5. Make Love Like A Man
6. Too Late For Love
7. Foolin’
8. Nine Lives
9. Love Bites
10. Rock On

Disc 2
1. Two Steps Behind
2. Bringin’ On The Heartbreak
3. Switch 625
4. Hysteria
5. Armageddon It
6. Photograph
7. Pour Some Sugar On Me
8. Rock Of Ages
9. Let’s Get Rocked
10. Action
11. Bad Actress
12. Undefeated (new studio track)
13. Kings Of The World (new studio track)
14. It’s All About Believin’ (new studio track)


Joe Elliott (vocals)
Phil Collen (guitars, backing vocals)
Rick “Sav” Savage (bass, backing vocals)
Vivian Campbell (guitars, backing vocals)
Rick Allen (drums)


www.defleppard.com
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!

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