Music review: Def Leppard – 鈥楧rastic Symphonies鈥�
I confess that I thoroughly enjoy a good blending of hard rock and classical music. Such is the case on Def Leppard鈥檚 latest release.
For 鈥淒rastic Symphonies,鈥� the British hard rock icons revisit 16 tracks from their back catalog that remixes the signature Def Leppard sound with dashes of sophistication from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, the results couldn鈥檛 sound more euphonious.
From the opening mystical flavorings lushly offered on 鈥淭urn to Dust鈥� to the majestic glory embracing the closing 鈥淜ings of the World,鈥� the band creates a statement piece that can be savored from both rock and classical perspectives.
鈥淎nimal鈥� and 鈥淗ysteria鈥� get a stripped-down makeover in an effort to solely place the emphasis on Joe Elliott鈥檚 charismatic vocals and the sheer beauty of the sweeping musical arrangements.
Highlights include the forceful elegance of 鈥淏ringin鈥� On the Heartbreak,鈥� the massiveness unleashed on 鈥淕ods of War鈥� and the lavish extravagance of 鈥淲hen Love and Hate Collide.鈥�
The lone misstep of the album appears on the suggestive 鈥淧ure Some Sugar on Me.鈥� The band鈥檚 sultry hit from 1987鈥檚 鈥淗ysteria鈥� is definitely out of place and awkward as a piano ballad with additional vocals from Emm Gryner. It鈥檚 a great tune that deserves the full rock brigade treatment for stadium crowd consumption.
In comparison, 鈥淟ove Bites鈥� simply sounds stunning with the orchestral backing that adds a fresh sense of fragility and desperation to the original ballad.
For me, the standout number is 鈥淭oo Late for Love.鈥� From 1983鈥檚 鈥淧yromania,鈥� this melodic rocker won me over on my first listen, and once again in 2023 with this fresh revamp. It was 鈥淧yromania鈥� that turned me into a true Def Leppard fan with its polished rock anthems filled with driving guitars and infectious choruses that would quickly become a personal soundtrack during my freshman year of college.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. 鈥淒rastic Symphonies鈥� is set to become another Def Leppard album that provides the musical background for my summer listening pleasure all these years later.
Another job well done by the talented lads from across the pond.