A few Def Leppard album reviews/quotes from the past decade:
"X" (2002)
Melodicrock.com:
"Their best album since Hysteria. In fact, I have little doubt that the overall fan reaction will rank the album in a similar fashion.
With the right promotion and strong radio chances for several songs, there is no reason why we won't be hearing a whole lot of Leppard over the coming months.
A special mention goes to the producers of this album. This extra time and effort with effects and layers has been well spent. Each listen reveals something new in the mix and will ensure that the lifespan of this album is a decent one.
The more tastefully implemented modern sound will allow the band to compete with today's Top 40 acts, without alienating any old fans".
NME.com:
"Def Leppard improve with age: they lost their guitarist through drugs, their drummer had his arm amputated and, even though they're all in their 40s, they've just made the best rock album since Andrew Wk's'I Get Wet'".
Blogcritics.com:
"It is great to see the band back to what they do best, well-crafted arena rock, instead of trying to be trendy. This marks a welcome return of the Def Leppard we grew up with back in the day. You better get your gig tickets now, because I predict worldwide sellouts. This is clearly a candidate for hard rock album of the year, absolutely stunningly good"!
Songs From The Sparkle Lounge (2008)
A quote from Behind The Music Remastered:
"Sparkle Lounge is if anything as classic a Leppard album as you could possibly get".
Geoff Barton, founder of Kerrang! heavy metal magazine.
Classic Rock Magazine:
"Def Leppard’s ninth studio album is also their last for the Mercury label. It’s a supremely satisfying send-off, marking the band’s most varied and satisfying collection of songs since Hysteria. What a way to go".
Review from AntiMusic.com:
"Def Leppard has constructed an album that generates groundswells of sound of a band not just in perfect harmony, but unison as well. Songs From The Sparkle Lounge does not find the band veering too far into the past and not aiming for future glories, instead it finds them perfectly in the here and now".
Review from UnRated Magazine.com:
"Even if you haven't been a huge Def Leppard fan in the past, Songs from the Sparkle Lounge is a solid, enjoyable rocker all on its own merits. There simply isn't one bad song within this entire collection of songs".
About.com: Classic Rock:
""Gotta let it go! Gotta let it go!," shouts Joe Elliott. Gotta let what go, Joe? The album, perhaps, to share with others, because he knows it's so good you won't want to stop playing it? He's right! This really is a great album to get Def Leppard back in everyone's focus, and they certainly have got mine!"
411mania.com:
"On this release, they’ve rediscovered Def Leppard. And while the riffs aren’t as heavy and abundant as the good ol’ days, there are enough things going in the right direction, like the fun “Nine Lives” and the adrenaline fueled “Bad Actress”, that fans will perk up their ears. If you’re a fan, this is a record you’ve been waiting on for quite possibly ten years".
Hardrockhideout.com:
"Songs From the Sparkle Lounge isn’t a terribly long affair. It clocks in just shy of 40 minutes. This isn’t Def Leppard’s best work, but it is far from their worst. Will this new album be enough to garner new success for Def Leppard? It just might. I had low expectations for this record, and as a result I enjoyed it. I think most of you will too".
artistdirect.com:
"For the first time in a long time, Def Leppard have found the perfect balance between the histrionics of their hard rock roots and the pop accessibility that has made them such a favorite with mainstream America. They still deliver feel-good music, but they make it feel just as good when it hits hard. That's the one-two punch that makes songs from The Sparkle Lounge shine the brightest".
Tower.com (Tower Records):
“Songs from the Sparkle Lounge” could be considered one of their most complete and perhaps one of the most diverse albums in Def Leppard’s 30-year recording career".
Joe Elliott, Brit Sound Radio interview:
"At this moment in my life in October 2009 my two favourite records that we've ever made are our latest which is 'Songs From The Sparkle Lounge' and the covers album 'YEAH!' which came out in 2006".