Music Review: Def Leppard ~ "Mirror Ball"

Def Leppard. The very name brings to mind big-time arena rock! Songs with big hooks and choruses that you stomp your feet to and sing along with.

But Def Leppard is also known for their perfectionism in the recording studio -- at times taking up to 5 years between studio albums. Given this track record, it will come as no surprise that they would wait 31 years to release their first ever "LIVE."

Well… that's exactly what they did with their brand new release "Mirror Ball - Live & More." "Mirror Ball" was recorded during the band's 2008 - 2009 tour supporting their last studio effort "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge." The liner notes even state that the album was, "Recorded at various points around the world, in the not too distant past." So what you get is great performances of all the band's biggest hits from their most popular albums. I can only imagine the 5 band members painstakingly sifting through a mountain of tapes to find the perfect performance of every single song on the album.

"Mirror Ball" plays more like a "greatest hits live" CD than a true definitive live recording. Personally, my favorite live albums have always been the ones recorded over 1 or 2 nights at a single venue. Those live albums have a spontaneity that "Mirror Ball" lacks. But, that is not to say that it isn't great to listen to, because it is! The band sounds great: thundering drums, dueling guitars and excellent lead and backing vocals.

"Mirror Ball" is subtitled "live & more" and the "more" refers to 3 new studio tracks that were recorded for this album. Those tracks include "Undefeated," "Kings Of The World" and "It's All About Believin'."

"Undefeated," with it's take no prisoners title and driving drum intro, is just begging to be played at sports events around the world! "Kings Of The World," with it's piano intro and operatic vocals, is Def Leppard trying to do their best Queen impression and succeeding mightily. The whole vibe of the song from the lyrics to the Brian May like guitar solo are reminiscent of the songs Queen recorded for the soundtrack of the 80's motion picture "Highlander" and it is a winner. Finally we have "It's All About Believin'" which finds the band at their pop sounding best.

In the U.S. the album can only be purchased at Walmart -- just like the most recent releases from other 80's heavy weights like AC/DC, Journey and Foreigner. It's a marketing strategy that seems to work. And, for under $12.00, you get 2 CDs and a DVD.

So if you're thinking "Let's Get Rocked" or you wanna "Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)" then "Mirror Ball" won't disappoint fans old or possibly new.

Drumroll please… 8 out of 10 drumsticks!!