Songs from the Sparkle Lounge
by Def Leppard
  • Record Label: Mercury
  • Release Date: Apr 29, 2008
Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    60
    It's a partially successful successor to "Yeah!," following through on some of the overall feel and punch but lacking enough songs to truly bring it across the goal line.
  2. Billboard
    60
    The band's first new set since 2002 is full of these well-intentioned attempts to recapture some of that '80s pyromania (or in the case of the absurdly large power ballad 'Love,' herculean '70s prog-rock balladry), but without producer Robert "Mutt" Lange, who left for the much more profitable world of country years ago, the results are solid if unspectacular.
  3. NOW Magazine
    60
    While they must know they won’t be reinventing the wheel any time soon, Sparkle Lounge is their most upbeat music in a while.
  5. Mojo
    60
    A true, if guilty pleasure. [june 2008, p.103]
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  6. Rolling Stone
    50
    Def Leppard show signs of life on the headbanging 'Bad Actress,' which takes on the Lindsay Lohans of the world, but it’s clear they’re missing their old producer.
  7. The A.V. Club
    42
    A few bright spots don't make up for the album's general lack of immediacy or memorable hooks.
  8. Observer Music Monthly
    40
    Fans looking for an air-guitar gurning masterclass may be disappointed.
  9. Uncut
    20
    Metal has teken giant evolutionary strides these past few years but, like mammoths frozen in ice, Def Leppard remain perfectly preserved in their own oblivion to them. [July 2008, p.91]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. warrenwoodhouse
    Feb 25, 2014
    9
    I have been a fan of Def Leppard since the age of 14 and it’s been one of the albums that I have been mostly listening too. You might disagreeI have been a fan of Def Leppard since the age of 14 and it’s been one of the albums that I have been mostly listening too. You might disagree if you’re not into rock; I assure you that listening to this album would make you agree to rock.
    It’s not always shouting, in this case, Def Leppard introduce another way to get bromance through lyrics which are easy on the ears and makes you want to sing along, even if you’re not up for it.
    I like the music on this album as it makes me happy and is a great experience if you want to get into rock music.
    I got interested in this wonderful Sheffield British Hard Rock band and I’m sure that you would too.
    “Vault” says everything about me and my personality and is the main reason for why I wanted to do this review.
    I like this band and it’s the reason for why I got into listening to rock music.    … Full Review »
  2. danielcardoso
    Apr 12, 2013
    5
    It's an average album. It has ups and downs. The album's first songs are epic and awesome, but then it just lacks in quality as it's notIt's an average album. It has ups and downs. The album's first songs are epic and awesome, but then it just lacks in quality as it's not consistent. Go is an epic song, opening the spectacle with strength. Nine Lives and C'mon are awesome. Then the album starts to let me down. Hallucinate is hearable and Gotta Let It Go is awesome but Elliott's ballads are awful. They remind me of cheesy awful boys bands. Anyway the album is an average artwork… Full Review »
  3. adamh.
    Aug 30, 2009
    8
    This album is outstanding. It is in most ways a logical follow up to Yeah! in that they go for a lot of the same sounds in this album. This album is outstanding. It is in most ways a logical follow up to Yeah! in that they go for a lot of the same sounds in this album. Elliot's voice is cool and gritty. I hear the Beatles on "Only the Good Die Young," and "C'mon Cmon" is the kind of feel-good hooky arena rock one would expect. But "Go" is raw and political, "Bad Actress" is sweet fun straight hard rock, "Love" is a perfect ballad, and there is so much more. A no filler album! This band understands music better than anyone in their genre. If they stay on this track they will become one of the most regarded bands in rock's history.… Full Review »
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