Although many music fans were convinced that Def Leppard would become hard rock's next big band, few could have predicted the massive across-the-boards success that its third record, 1983's PYROMANIA, achieved. Many wondered why it was taking the group so long to release a follow-up to 1981's HIGH 'N' DRY, but the finished product was well worth the wait. Not only did it become one of the year's best-selling albums and made the band instant U.S. arena headliners, but it has remained a consistent seller ever since (by 1994, it had reached nine million units in the U.S. alone).
The songwriting and overall sound was more streamlined and succinct this time around--while there are guitar riffs galore, the songs have more of a pop feel. Founding guitarist Pete Willis left during the recording, replaced by Phil Collen, who fit in perfectly with the band. The album features such mega-hits as "Photograph," "Rock of Ages," and "Foolin'," as well as a couple of other tracks that could have easily been singles as well, "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)" and "Too Late for Love." PYROMANIA remains one of the best and most popular hard-rock recordings of the '80s.
Recorded at Park Gates Studios, Battle, Sussex, England and Battery Studios, London, England.
Def Leppard: Joe Elliot (vocals); Steve "Steamin" Clark, Phil Collen, Pete Willis (guitar); Rick Savage (bass); Rick Allen (drums).
Personnel: Joe Elliott (vocals); Pete Willis, Phil Collen, Steve Clark (guitar); Booker T. Boffin, John Kongos (keyboards); Rick Allen , Rick Savage (drums); The Leppardettes (background vocals).
Def Leppard: Joe Elliot (vocals); Steve "Steamin'" Clark, Phil Collen, Pete Willis (guitar); Rick Savage (bass); Rick Allen (drums).
Additional personnel: John Kongos, Booker T. Boffin, Charlie (keyboards); The Leppardettes (background vocals).
Additional personnel: John Kongos, Booker T. Roffin, Charile (keyboards); The Leppardettes (background vocals).
Valley
Rolling Stone (11/89) - Ranked #62 in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Albums Of The Eighties survey. Spin (p.105) - "[T]hey sweeten the sound, mating AC/DC riffs to Journey mall drama, battle-march mythos to lovelorn mooning over photo albums." Magnet (p.114) - "[O]ne of the biggest, most anthemic albums of an era marked by huge, anthemic albums." CMJ (1/5/04, p.12) - Ranked #19 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1983". Record Collector (magazine) (p.80) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "'Photograph' became a signature for the hair metal masses, with its rich harmonies and sweet melody, while the lighters were aloft for the likes of 'Too Late For Love.'"
Brings memories Boy the memories come back when I listen to Def lepperd.. Good times! Submitted by genxr03 (Citra Florida Usa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This CD rocks! I am a HUGE Def Leppard fan. I had to get this CD to replace my SECOND Pyromania tape that got worn out from too much play time. Hopefully the CD will last longer than the cassettes did! This CD is by FAR their BEST album, and I have MOST of their stuff. old and new! This CD is definitely a MAJOR part of my collection! Submitted by a reviewer (southern Delaware, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
polished up high n dry i never really thought this album was that great, but i am listening to it again and it is great, my fave song is billy's got a gun, and die hard the hunter, too late for love is a great song to, and rock rock till ya drop is great, this is their last good album, i think that pete willis was a major factor for these songs being as good as they are, they really went downhill after this album, Submitted by halenroth84 (thunder bay, ontario canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
The best cd That cd its excelent, the best of Def Leppard, the songs, production too and very heavy too. Many classics on this album. Die hard the hunte, Foolin and many others classics. Submitted by a.thurm (São Paulo - Brazil) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Def Leppard Rock! This is a great album with awesome songs such as Rock Rock (Till You Drop), Rock of Ages, Foolin' and many more. Not quite as good as Hysteria, but Pyromania still Rocks. Submitted by Ezra (Matamata, New Zealand) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Brings memories
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