Def Leppard - Retro Active
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Free Music Notes for Retro Active
Free Music Review: Even Lep's B-sides are classics
Hit: 5 Stars
Only Def Leppard would release an album of b-sides that are superior to most bands' regular studio albums. 'Nuff said.Free Music Review: Def Leppard Retroactive Rocks!
Hit: 5 Stars
I listen to this one all the way thru with no skipping songs because they are all great songs!Free Music Review: A must have!!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is an awesome album! Every song is great! Highly recommended!Free Music Review: Excellent work rehashed
Hit: 4 Stars
Though Def Leppard missed the mark by a wide range with the abysmal Adrenalize from 1992, the band bounced back nicely with a collection of "odds 'n' sods" B-side tunes that were either totally revamped or unfinished and completed for this album. Many bands would kill to have the quality of songs heard on "Retro Active," but Leppard seemed to casually released this batch of songs in 1993 as if it were an effortless task.
The leadoff track, "Desert Song," is in a class by itself, grimly toned and written during the Hysteria sessions, yet sounding nothing like the songs on that album. Perhaps trying to shake free of its gimmicky "Let's get rocked!" vibe from "Adrenalize," the improved Def Leppard concentrated on sobering up its vision. "Retro Active" features two lively covers, Sweet's "Action" and Mick Ronson's "Only After Dark." "Fractured Love" is comparable to Pyromania-era Leppard, while "She's Too Tough" is Joe Elliott at his 1980s screaming best. "Ride Into the Sun," the first song by Leppard ever put to vinyl, firmly displays the band's heavy roots, as does "Ring of Fire." The ballads on "Retro Active" are also surprisingly heartfelt and worthy, and even creatively played at times. A real musical digression occurs on the quirky and frightening Irish jig "From the Inside," where heroin plays the lead character. Often Def Leppard is at the top of its game when writing and playing a more despairing brand of songs; "From the Inside" is a great example of that.
Overall, "Retro Active" is a spunky and genuine release by a band that thankfully attempted to reach out for broader horizons with an ever-changing, stepped-up sound.
Free Music Review: A really great album in the middle of not so great albums...
Hit: 4 Stars
I'm not really going to say anything that hasn't been said in any other review already. But something happened to DL from 1983 to 1987. No, I don't think it has anything to do with Rick's Arm. No I don't think it has anything to do with Phil being added to the mix.
The tranisition from Hysteria to Pyromania was a wierd one. With Pyro you have a band that basically rocked the whole way through. Loud guitars, loud vocals. Singable songs. Then Hysteria comes along and even though it sounds like Def Leppard, it's actually kind of lame. I know I know... without it the band wouldn't be known today.
But when you listen to it now, it's really kind of cheesy. Pour some sugar on me? Armageddon it? It's like middle age rock. haha Something I"d picture my dad listening to. What happened to the tranistion between Pyro and Hysteria? Retro active.
With this CD you get the rock-ness of Pyro with the sound of Hysteria. I think this album should have been Hysteria. Of course, they never would have been as big because the songs aren't as radio friendly but some of them are really good. If you would have put Animal, Hysteria, Gods of War, and Pour some sugar (just for radio popularity) on a CD with Ring of Fire, Desert Song, Fractured Love and Ride into the sun you've have a really good album. The other songs are pretty forgetable but it's worth it for those four.
DL definitely has a distinct sound. You hear them you know who's playing and yeah their sound, sounds dated today. But this album is vintage DL and plus the cover is probably their coolest since Pyromania. ha.