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Rating:
What?... I don't understand... I mean... Are we aware??? On DeBaser, there are even 49 (FORTY-NINE, I say) reviews about Iron Maiden, 25,138 on Dream Theater, and 78 million billion on Pink Floyd (and most likely some cheeky devil is making one even right now), but only 2 (TWO, I say) on the legendary Def Leppard?!? Are we kidding??? But... Do you realize??? Only 2... But mmm... Ugh... I still don't understand! So... We need to do something about this... So... Let's get to work: Fidia, you now commit yourself and prepare one on 'Hysteria'... Someone else, prepare one on the debut 'On Through The Night' while I dedicate myself to this one.
Well... After answering the call from the "Greek sculptor" (who lamented being the only one to focus on Def Leppard here on DB) and after giving orders regarding it, I prepare, as already mentioned, to review what I consider the most important and significant album (not to mention the best) in the discography of the Deaf Leopards (the name is the bizarre distortion of deaf leopard which indeed means "deaf leopard"... [these parentheses are a pain, right?]): the glorious 'Pyromania.' A (if I keep it short) nod to history: the group in question formed in far-off 1976 in Sheffield (UK) under the name Atomic Mass. After constant line-up changes, in 1978 they reached a definitive stability, counting among their ranks the young Joe Elliot (vocals) and Rick Savage (bass), who were later joined by the excellent guitarists Steve Clark and Pete Willis (replaced in 1983 by Phil Collen) and the promising drummer Rick Allen, who at the time was only 14 years old (and who would've thought). The band changed its name for good and began to make a name in the English locales. The year 1979 saw the birth of their first EP (unfindable :-(...) 'Getcha Rock Off' which introduced them thanks to clever radio programming (which made certain Iron Maiden members quite envious for the success received), but it is in 1980 that our artists managed to produce 'On Through The Night,' their first exhilarating work which established them as one of the diamonds of the then emerging N.W.O.B.H.M. alongside the aforementioned Iron Maiden.
The sound of Def Leppard, however, differs from that of Maiden and deeply roots in American, Australian, and English Hard Rock of the late seventies, influenced (more or less openly) by groups like UFO, Thin Lizzy, and AC/DC (but also by the melodic taste of the grand Who and the more "choral" Queen). However, there are slight but fundamental novelties: the guitar sound becomes more rock-solid, squared but varied (compared to the cited groups), the drumming is one of the most dynamic and exciting of the time, and the arrangements are noticeably more refined... The sound is engaging yet powerful, gritty, and biting as never before, and although influences and callbacks are very evident, it maintains enviable freshness and personality... Delicacy is a word that doesn't exist in the Leppardian vocabulary of the early days which, thanks to an idea of fast rock full of energetic fury, creates scenarios of explosive harmonic devastations from palpable tension, with a succession of slowdowns and accelerations causing car-like nausea. Def Leppard turns out too bonded to Hard Rock to make a mark with the "new" British metallers and too influenced by harsh and destructive sounds to win over the more refined and graceful-tasting English rock enthusiasts. For this reason, the first 2 albums (the second is the most direct, immediate, and jarring 'High 'n' Dry') weren’t practically considered in their homeland to be then idolized in the new continent where their sound was taken as an example by many emerging groups.
But it is in 1983 when our fellows craft the album that definitively consecrates them in the eyes of the broad audience (including English), and that will make them known as a deadly concert machine: the monumental 'Pyromania.' The album can be defined as an album of transition... Def Leppard, in this work, indeed slightly depart from the heavy and immediate sounds (yet always sophisticated) of the previous 2 albums to lean towards the compositional richness and elegance of the forthcoming 'Hysteria.' But, astonishingly, this album does not present the tragic and classic flaw of transition albums, namely uncertainty, confusion, and lack of precise definition (the classic "neither fish nor fowl")... But instead, it represents a perfect blend of light/dark tones where power and melody celebrate one of their most successful marriages... A concentration of energy and freshness that at the time had very few rivals; a subtle balance between frenzy and sonic rationality as never heard before... All orchestrated, with incredible personality, by Elliot's golden voice (one of the most powerful and "rock" voices of the eighties), by Clark's sharp guitar and by Allen's hyperactive drumming.
The album is composed of 10 potential hits in a continuous alternation between Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. It is a work to be devoured as a whole and that never tires or bores. No use prolonging (since I've already done it quite enough) with a classic track-by-track for an album like this... Suffice it to say it spans, with singular ease, from melodic and exciting American-origin Rock to the fast-paced Heavy typical of those years, passing through moments of vaguely Thrash flavor (listen to the riffs in "Die Hard The Hunter" for that matter) up to tensely engaging or squarely sharp beauty moments (the influence of AC/DC sometimes appears very evident), all seasoned with excellent choral refrains that lend power and elegance... In short... Every track is worth listening to countless times, and everything possesses a scenic spectacularity and energy that fits perfectly in the "live" dimension that our artists would develop to become one of the most exciting concert machines of the eighties.
Subsequently, Def Leppard would not manage to re-emerge at these levels (although 'Hysteria' is really an excellent album), perhaps also conditioned by the tragedies that befell various band members (Allen would lose an arm in a car accident in '84, and Clark would die in '91 from a strange cocktail of drugs and alcohol). 'Pyromania' is a work that snapshots the band at its best form and still deserves today the esteem and respect of anyone who considers themselves a fan of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal... In short... Let's give to Def Leppard what belongs to Def Leppard and let's try not to forget the grandiose musical pages written by these gentlemen... Please.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Photograph (04:07)
I'm outta luck, outta love
Got a photograph, picture of
Passion killer, you're too much
You're the only one I wanna touch
I see your face every time I dream
On every page, every magazine
So wild and free, so far from me
You're all I want, my fantasy
Oh, look what you've done to this rock and roll clown
Oh-oh, look what you've done
(Photograph) I don't want your
(Photograph) I don't need your
(Photograph) All I've got is a photograph (Photograph)
But it's not enough
I'd be your lover, if you were there
Put your hurt on me if you dare
Such a woman, you got style
You make every man feel like a child, oh
You got some kinda hold on me
You're all wrapped up in a mystery
So wild and free, so far from me
You're all I want, my fantasy
Oh, look what you've done to this rock and roll clown
Oh-oh, look what you've done
I gotta have you
(Photograph) I don't want your
(Photograph) I don't need your
(Photograph) All I've got is a photograph (Photograph)
You've gone straight to my head
Oh, look what you've done to this rock and roll clown
Oh-oh, look what you've done
I gotta have you
(Photograph) I don't want your
(Photograph) I don't need your
(Photograph) All I've got is a photograph (Photograph)
I wanna touch you
Ohhh
(Photograph)
(Photograph) Yeah, photograph
(Photograph)
(Photograph) ???
(Photograph) I wanna know
(Photograph) I wanna know
(Photograph) I wanna really know
(Photograph) I wanna touch
03 Stagefright (03:44)
I said Welcome to my show
It's just a-you and me baby
We got the whole damn night to go
You're holding out on me, while I'm on fire
If you can't stand the heat, then you should try
Victim of my vices, you know you are
You skate on ice to paradise, stairway to the stars
Stagefright all night, won't you let go
All night stagefright, on with the show
You come on like a lady dressed to kill
Never thought you could be caught, but you will
A little understanding, a little love
A headline act around the back, is what I'm thinkin' of
Stagefright all night, won't you let go
All night stagefright, on with the show
Stagefright all night, you're dream starts today
All night stagefright, is only a heartbeat away
You're going for my head, you're going down
Gettin' good at being bad, you're hangin' round
A fun inspired asylum, toys for the boys
Love on the rocks, forget-me-nots, you got no choice
Stagefright all night, oh won't you let go
All night stagefright, get on with the show
Stagefright all night, you're dream starts today
All night stagefright, is only a heartbeat away
Stagefright all night, oh won't you let go
All night stagefright, get on with the show
05 Die Hard the Hunter (06:15)
Let's welcome home the soldier boy (Far away, far away)
No angel of mercy, just a need to destroy (Fire away, fire away)
Let's toast the hero with blood in his eyes
The scars on his mind took so many lives
(Die hard the hunter)
Welcome home, soldier boy
Put down your pistol, yeah, put down your toy
Yeah, they can take your gun away from you
But never take away your attitude
(They can't do that) Whoa no no
(They can't do that)
You got no enemy, no front line
The only battle's in the back of your mind
You don't know how to change from bad to good
You brought the war to your neighbourhood
(You can't do that) Whoa no no
(You can't do that)
(Die hard) You're caught in a trap
(Hunter) There's no lookin' back
(Die hard) He's lost in the crowd
(Hunter) Die hard and proud
(Die hard the hunter)
(Die hard the hunter) ???
(Die hard the hunter)
(Die hard the hunter)
Back in the city, he's a man on the loose
He is the shadow that's a-following you
He takes no prisoners when he's hunting for game
He's got a bullet and it carries your name
(You can't do that) You can't do that
(You can't do that) Whoa no no no
(Die hard) You're caught in a trap
(Hunter) There's no lookin' back
(Die hard) He's lost in the crowd
(Hunter) Die hard and proud
(Die hard) You're caught in a trap
(Hunter) There's no lookin' back
(Die hard) He's lost in the crowd
(Hunter) Die hard and proud
(Die hard the hunter)
(Die hard the hunter) ???
(Die hard the hunter)
(Die hard the hunter) ???
(Die hard the hunter) ???
(Die hard the hunter) He's got it comin' tonight
(You can't do that) You can't do that
(You can't do that) No no no
Oww!
06 Foolin' (04:33)
Lady luck never smiles
So lend your love to me awhile
Do with me what you will
Break the spell, take your fill
On and on we rode the storm
The flame has died and the fire has gone
Oh, this empty bed is a night alone
I realized that long ago
Is anybody out there, anybody there?
Does anybody wonder, anybody care?
Oh, I just gotta know
If you're really there
And you really care
'Cause baby I'm not
F-f-f-foolin', oh f-f-foolin'
F-f-f-foolin', oh f-f-foolin'
Won't you stay with me awhile?
Oh whoa ho
Close your eyes, don't run and hide
Easy love is no easy ride
Just wakin' up from what we had
Could stop good love from going bad
Is anybody out there, anybody there?
Does anybody wonder, anybody care?
Oh, I just gotta know
If you're really there
And you really care
'Cause baby I'm not
F-f-f-foolin', oh f-f-foolin'
F-f-f-foolin', oh f-f-foolin'
Ohh!
Ah-ah-oww!
Oh, I just gotta know
If you're really there
And you really care
'Cause baby I'm not
F-f-f-foolin', oh f-f-foolin'
Not f-f-f-foolin', oh no
I'm not foolin' myself (I'm not foolin' myself)
No no no (I'm not foolin' myself)
I'm not, no (I'm not foolin' myself)
I'm not foolin' (I'm not foolin' myself)
No!
07 Rock of Ages (04:07)
Gunter glieben glauchen globen
All right, I got something to say
Yeah, it's better to burn out
Yeah, then fade away
All right
Ow!
Gonna start a fire
C'mon
Rise up gather round
Rock this place to the ground
Burn it up let's go for broke
Watch the night go up in smoke
Rock on, rock on
Drive me crazier
No serenade, no fire brigade
Just the pyromania, come on!
(What do ya want?) What do ya want?
(I want rock n' roll) Yes I do
(Long live rock n' roll)
Oh, let's go let's strike a light
We're gonna blow like dynamite
I don't care if it takes all night
Gonna set this town alight, c'mon
(What do ya want?) What do ya want?
(I want rock n' roll) All right!
(Long live rock n' roll) Oh! Yeah! Yeah!
Rock of ages, rock of ages
Still rollin', keep a rollin'
Rock of ages, rock of ages
Still rollin', rock n' rollin'
We got the power, got the glory
Just say you need it
And if you need it say 'Yeah!'
Oh yeah! Heh heh heh heh
Now listen to me
I'm burnin', burnin', I got the fever
I know for sure, there ain't no cure
So feel it, don't fight it, go with the flow
And gimme gimme gimme gimme one more for the road, yeah!
(What do ya want?) What do ya want?
(I want rock n' roll) You betcha
(Long live rock n' roll) Now hit it
Rock of ages, rock of ages
Still rollin', keep a rollin'
Rock of ages, rock of ages
Still rollin', rock n' rollin'
We got the power, got the glory
Just say you need it
And if you need it say 'Yeah!'
Say 'Yeah!'
Gonna burn this damn place down, woo-hoo
Down to the ground
Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh...
10 Billy's Got a Gun (05:56)
Billy's got a gun, he's on the run
Confusion in his mind, the blind leads the blind
Yeah, Billy's got a gun, he's gonna shoot ya down
He's got evil in his eyes, got a reason to despise
There's danger in the air
(Can you feel it in the air?)
There's danger in the air (Danger)
Such a strange emotion
(Can you feel it in the air?) Ohh yeah
Ohh yeah
Oh, he was locked inside a room without a door
His innocence he suffered for
In a world of black and white, they were wrong and he was right
Just looking for a clue, it's a nightmare come true
He's going underground to track that danger down
Oh Billy, hey why you got that gun?
(Can you feel it in the air?)
There's danger in the air (Danger)
Such a strange emotion
(Can you feel it in the air?) Ohh yeah
Oh Billy
(Never give him an even break
Gettin' caught is the chance you take
It could be your last mistake)
You could be so helpless
(As a bird with a broken wing
Like a sheep in a lion's den
Gonna fall but you won't know when)
He's gonna get you
You hear footsteps in the night, see shadows on the wall
And the ghostly sound of silence, as the mist begins to fall
Then a scream rang out like thunder, but the lightning was too late
As the rain came down on the crimson ground
It was the hand of fate
And a crowd of people gathered round, but Billy couldn't wait
(Can you feel it in the air?)
There's danger in the air (Danger)
Such a strange emotion
(Can you feel it in the air?) Ohh yeah
Yeah, Billy's on the run
Oh, you better run
(Never gave him an even break) Better run
(Gettin' caught is the chance you take) You better run
(It could be your last mistake)
Yeah, Billy's got a gun
(As a bird with a broken wing) Oh Billy
(Like a sheep in a lion's den) Oh Billy
(Gonna fall but you won't know when) Yeah, Billy's out
He's gonna get you
Yeah!
Bang bang
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Other reviews
By Karter4
It is melodic rock that is very smooth, yet at the same time hard and powerful, in full ’80s style.
"Photograph" is unique, from the captivating opening riff to Steve Clark’s emblematic heavy solo.
