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Songs from the Sparkle Lounge
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Songs from the Sparkle Lounge Image
Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

  • Summary: The 14th studio album for the rock band features Tim McGraw on one track.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. 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.
  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. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. The A.V. Club
    42
    A few bright spots don't make up for the album's general lack of immediacy or memorable hooks.
  6. Observer Music Monthly
    40
    Fans looking for an air-guitar gurning masterclass may be disappointed.
  7. 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]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AnthonyC
    Feb 6, 2009
    10
    A rockin good cd with alot of really tight songs.Leppard keeps rockin into the 200's and beyond.
  2. ShazaliS
    May 18, 2008
    10
    Yes, This is the BEST Def Lepp album since... I don't know... Hysteria?? I Looove them. I didn't buy X becos it is too poppy. Yes, This is the BEST Def Lepp album since... I don't know... Hysteria?? I Looove them. I didn't buy X becos it is too poppy. It's just that Hysteria was too good, nothing can beat it. I am glad this album isn't infested with ballads. Another thing which I am glad about this album is that it's much heavier, more guitars and... did Rick Allen grow another arm? I love it. Sparkle Lounge is a little different, but they don't jump ship to become emo rock band. I have no idea why they invite Tim Mcgraw, becos I couldn't differentiate their voices until I saw the video. Still, great album, but I doubt if they would reign again like 20 years ago.… Expand
  4. andream.
    Jun 29, 2008
    10
    I thought there latest album sparkle was very uplifting.i have to say its one of there best. i was recently at one of there concerts were the I thought there latest album sparkle was very uplifting.i have to say its one of there best. i was recently at one of there concerts were the played nine lives and it was one of best songs of the night. so they get a 10 from me.… Expand
  5. Jaz
    May 21, 2008
    8
    I love Def Leppard & "Go" is a great opener, Nine Lives is good....but they need Mutt Lange to bring back the "Hysteria" - maybe he will have I love Def Leppard & "Go" is a great opener, Nine Lives is good....but they need Mutt Lange to bring back the "Hysteria" - maybe he will have time now since he (Mutt) is getting a divorce.… Expand
  6. 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.… Expand
  7. Mislav
    May 16, 2008
    6
    I like Def Leppard, and I generally prefer newer music to older music, but this is a somewhat lacking album compared to most of their I like Def Leppard, and I generally prefer newer music to older music, but this is a somewhat lacking album compared to most of their previous works. 'Go' is a great opener, but Bad Actress is the only thing that comes close it its intensity throughout the remainder of the album. They just play it too safe this time around, and it's not particularly engaging.… Collapse
  8. BitBurn
    May 20, 2008
    4
    Nowhere near close to the glory days of Pyromania and Hysteria. Def Leppard without Mutt Lange is like bread without butter. They should stop Nowhere near close to the glory days of Pyromania and Hysteria. Def Leppard without Mutt Lange is like bread without butter. They should stop wasting their time making records and focus exclusively on touring.… Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

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