Def Leppard - Adrenalize

Hysteria is the best Pop-Metal album of all time.  That’s a given.  I’d say it’s almost flawless.  The follow up, Adrenalize, was … how do I put this politely… not quite as good.  Def Leppard had the unenviable task of following up a genre defining album.  What did they do?  They tried to copy a winning formula but in doing so they gave us less, rather than more.   

 

The main problem with this album, is that although it wasn’t produced by Mutt Lange it sounds like someone trying to produce an album like he would.  In some ways, it feels like the band is second guessing themselves.  So, you get a copy of something, rather than an original.  To refer back to an earlier review, unfortunately, this makes it sound a bit like a Bryan Adams album fronted by Joe Elliott.

 

And while I remember liking this much more in 1992 than I do now, it’s not without its merits.  Let’s Get Rocked is a fun song.  Yes, it’s stupid.  But it’s fun.  I’ve always had a soft spot for White Lightning – written for Steve Clarke who died of alcoholism – but other than that, there’s slim pickings here.

 

My advice?  Listen to Hysteria.