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Appreciation for experimental deviation from traditional sound, “grown” on fans over the years and in number of tracks, too…

100% Spicy

Synopsis: “Slang is the sixth studio album by English rock band Def Leppard, released on 14 May 1996. The album marked a musical departure from their signature sound; it was produced by the band with Pete Woodroffe and was their first album since 1980 not to be produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange. Slang is the first album with new material to feature new guitarist Vivian Campbell (Campbell had previously played on the B-side collection Retro Active in 1993 and on the new song on Vault a year earlier). It charted at #14 on the Billboard 200 and #5 on the UK Albums Chart. It is also the only Def Leppard album that does not feature their recognisable font logo on the album cover.”

Label: Mercury

Streamer: Apple iTunes [Deluxe Edition], AppleMusic, Amazon Prime Music, Pandora, Spotify, others…

Release Date:  May 14, 1996 & February 11, 2014

Format: Single Disc, Multi Disc, Digital Download, Streaming

Genre: Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Glam Metal, Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, Grunge, Experimental Rock

Runtime(s):

2 hour, 44 minutes [iTunes Deluxe Edition]

52 Minutes [Original Release]

25 Minutes [LIVE in Singapore, Bonus Disc]

Track List(s):

Title: 1996 Original

1. “Truth?”
2. “Turn to Dust”
3. “Slang”
4. “All I Want Is Everything”
5. “Work It Out”
6. “Breathe a Sigh”
7. “Deliver Me”
8. “Gift of Flesh”
9. “Blood Runs Cold”
10. “Where Does Love Go When It Dies”
11. “Pearl of Euphoria”

Title: 1996 Original, Japanese Bonus Track

1. “Move with Me Slowly”

Title: 1996 Limited Edition Bonus Disc, Acoustic in Singapore

1. “Armageddon It”
2. “Two Steps Behind”
3. “From the Inside”
4. “Animal”
5. “When Love & Hate Collide”
6. “Pour Some Sugar on Me”

Title: 2014 Deluxe Edition, Disc One

1. “Move with Me Slowly”
2. “Truth?” (original version (B-Side from “Work It Out” UK single)
3. “Burn Out” (B-Side from “Goodbye” UK single)
4. “Worlds Collide” (B-Side from “Promises” UK single)
5. “Can’t Keep Away from the Flame” (Japanese bonus track from Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995) and B-Side from “Slang” souvenir pack)

Title: 2014 Deluxe Edition, Disc Two

1. “Turn to Dust” (Phil verse vocal)
2. “Raise Your Love” (version of “Slang”)
3. “All I Want Is Everything” (1st draft)
4. “Work It Out” (1st draft)
5. “Breathe a Sigh” (Feb ’96 rough mix)
6. “Deliver Me” (Feb ’96 rough mix)
7. “Black Train” (version of “Gift of Flesh”)
8. “Blood Runs Cold” (Feb ’96 rough mix)
9. “Where Does Love Go When It Dies” (1st draft)
10. “Pearl of Euphoria” (Feb ’96 rough mix)
11. “All on Your Touch” (2012 revisit)
12. “Anger” (“Deliver Me” 1st draft)
13. “Move on Up” (Vivian demo)
14. “Gift of Flesh” (Phil vocal)

Title: 2014 Deluxe Edition, iTunes Bonus Tracks in addition to the 19 CD tracks, above

1. “Truth?” (demo version) (B-Side from “Work It Out” UK single)
2. “Work It Out” (original demo) (B-Side from “Work It Out” UK single)
3. “All I Want Is Everything” (demo version)
4. “Move with Me Slowly” (1st draft)
5. “When Saturday Comes” (from the film When Saturday Comes and “All I Want Is Everything” single)
6. “Jimmy’s Theme” (from the film When Saturday Comes and “All I Want Is Everything” single)
7. “Cause We Ended as Lovers” (from the Jeff Beck tribute album Jeffology: A Guitar Chronicle and “All I Want Is Everything” single)
8. “Led Boots” (from the Jeff Beck tribute album Jeffology: A Guitar Chronicle and “All I Want Is Everything” single)

Producer: Pete Woodroffe

Artist: Def Leppard

Review: Have you listened to Def Leppard’s Slang (1996) before? What did you think about this album, its production, band performance, mix, the song writing, selection and overall sound? Well, if you were like me in 1996, you were startled by the abrupt change in musical style and approach that Rick Allen (drums & percussion), Rick Savage (bass guitar, acoustic guitars, synth bass & vocals), Vivian Campbell (electric guitars, acoustic guitars, dulcimer & vocals), Phil Collen (electric guitars, acoustic guitars, mandolin & vocals) and Joe Elliott (lead vocals, additional guitar & additional bass) with Pete Woodroffe (producer, engineer, mixing) achieved on Def Leppard’s first record without their long-time producer, Robert John “Mutt” Lange and guitarist Steve Clark (who tragically passed away in 1991).

Many, may not be aware of this, but I have been a fan of Def Leppard’s  music longer than any other band or artist that I am streaming today. When Pyromania was released in 1983, I bought the cassette, became an instant fan and quickly copied my friend’s On Through the Night (1980) and High ‘n’ Dry (1981) tapes. A Def Leppard pin (that I still have) adorned my black, Members Only jacket and of course their posters were featured on my bedroom walls as I joined them in nightly concerts, hair spray, acid-washed Jordache jeans, fish net sleeveless t-shirt, leather wrist strap & belt with spikes and of course, my air guitar.

Like many Leppard fans between 1984-1987, who, like me, wondered what happened to their favorite rock / hard rock / metal band in an age without the Internet, the only news we heard was by way of Hit Parader or Circus music magazines and of course MTV. During the time that Def Leppard abruptly left the scene due to the auto accident that took drummer Rick Allen’s arm, bands such as The Scorpions, Dokken, Motley Crue, Stryper, Bon Jovi, Van Halen and Whitesnake were now dominating the air waves as MTV become the best promotion tool int he business, in what I believe to be the best time for pop music, ever.  Music lovers were treated to a rich blend of metal with pop giants like Michael Jackson, Prince and Lionel Richie along with more polished rockers in the form of The Police, David Bowie, Phil Collins, Styx, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Chicago and of course…the best of them all, Journey, who like Leppard, just dropped off the face of music after their 1986-87 Raised on Radio tour.

Then one night, during dinner, I was watching MTV with my family, awaiting the news I had heard…that the world premier of Def Leppard’s “Women” off of their new album, Hysteria would debut. It did and music changed, forever… I saw Leppard, LIVE, In The Round (In Your Face), 4x with Tesla across New England, on tour to support that amazing record. The follow-up Adrenalize (1992) was very good, yet derivative of Hysteria without the same punch even though the lead, in your face, single, “Let’s Get Rocked” sure came close.

While Adrenalize was suitable follow-up to Hysteria, fans were treated to Retro Active (1993) and 1995’s Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995). Both provided a volume of new, unreleased and remixed hits, having us long for more. Then Slang dropped in 1996. I remember going to the massive, multi-story Tower Records that anchored Newbury Street on release day, during my lunch break. This was a weekly event, every Tuesday, to find the latest releases, as well as the best source (along with Newbury Comics, around the corner) for Japanese Imports. It was there, that I picked up the Japanese Version with the bonus track and disc, containing, Acoustic in Singapore. At that time, I had heard of Singapore, but wouldn’t be able to pin it on a map. Little did I know then, way back in 1996, that I’d move to Singapore in 2009 and later download the 2014 Deluxe Edition from iTunes from my flat, as a Permanent Resident of that amazing, South East Asia, island nation.

My initial reaction to Slang was, honestly, mixed. Gone were the overly polished and layered vocals, chords and beats… replaced with a gritty, stripped back, more soulful approach to the music that had a more Eastern (India) influence as the backdrop to darker, deeper, more thought-provoking, emotional lyrics. While the initial listens introduced me to material that was not as radio accessible to the last few releases and certainly not as hard rock / metal as their first few releases, I quickly warmed to the material and find that, all of these years later.

Since 1996, Def Leppard has released Euphoria (1999), X (2002), Yeah! (2006), Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008), Def Leppard (2015) and countless LIVE DVD/Blu-Ray, Box Set Retrospectives and several Digital / Vinyl Exclusives. Of all that material, I turn to Slang (1996) as often, if not more, than I do my other favourites, Hysteria (1987), Retro Active (1993), X (2020) as their latest, self titled, Def Leppard (2015) studio release. In all cases, the Japanese versions or Box Sets, contain rich Bonus material.

I encourage every fan of Def Leppard to check out Slang if they not already. My appreciation for this experimental deviation from their traditional sound, has “grown” on not only myself but fans over the years and also in number of tracks, too… so do, purchase or stream the iTunes version. It is my belief that any fan of any age of 80’s / 90’s rock, hard rock, alternative rock and modern music genres will enjoy this album.

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I look forward to your JoulePepper rating of Def Leppard: Slang [iTunes Deluxe Edition] and I would love to read your comments in the JouleView section, below. Based on the above, I give this album 5 JoulePeppers – it’s Spicy!

ronvining

Welcome, from AppFlicks Chief AuteurX! I created AppFlicks out of my love for all-things entertainment, stints as a music manager, producer and as an advisor to film & game studios, telcos, lux brands, retail, hospitality & theme parks. Thank you for taking part in our streaming community! NOTE: Activity from my account, may also be initiated by AppFlicks Admin.