HYSTERIA

This is the first vinyl album I had that I re-purchased as a CD. I'd actually "forgotten" about it until we went on holiday to Turkey some years back and I grabbed a wee MP4 player I had at the last minute to keep me occupied at the poolside. Hysteria was on it. I HAD forgotten how much I liked the album and listened to it continually for the next fortnight - at least twice a day! I didn't tire of it, I remembered all the lyrics, all the riffs, all the solos, all the beats. It was immense.

It was an album that was released 4 years after its predecessor. At that time in the music industry it could have spelt the end for any band. But what went on in those 4 years could also have finished any band - but not Def Leppard. They obstinately, bloody-mindedly some would say, stuck to their guns and with the aid of one of the industry's most eminent producers released one of the biggest albums of not just the 80's, but of the century. It has currently sold more then 20 million copies worldwide. It spawned 7 hit singles in the US. A sort of rock version of Thriller.

When I first bought the album, I was never impressed by the first two tracks. "Women" followed by "Rocket" always under impressed me. But, listening to it now there could be no other introduction. They lead us perfectly into the poppy rock to come from the rest of the album. Let's not forget that they ARE a rock band, but here was their product which could appeal to both the dancers and the rockers too. Their musicianship is immense.

For such an important album, I honestly can't remember where or indeed when I bought it. I know I heard the single "Animal" while buying my "Queen Complete Works" boxset when I was in a record shop on Union Street, Aberdeen and thought "I'll have to make that my next one". But my recollection escapes me here. Isn't it strange that I can't remember the detail of where I bought an album that will rightly sit in my top 5 favourites for ever? I don't even remember my first playing. I'm going to say that despite the number of times I have listened to it, every time sounds as fresh as the first. They are that type of songs for me. Classics from the beginning to the end.

Is it possible to have a favourite song - no it isn't. It would be like choosing your favourite from "Dark Side of the Moon". I can't pick out one. You have to listen to the whole album, not to appreciate the songs but to realise that you are listening to a moment in time. There are twelve tracks here. TWELVE! The running time is around 62 minutes, all on one piece of vinyl. Now to put some perspective on this, Van Halen's "Diver Down" album released 5 years earlier also had twelve tracks, but only ran for 31 minutes! Let the music do the talking!

"Animal" took centre stage in the UK, it being a very successful single release. In the US, the album actually meandered along with no great movement. Then, as the story goes, a group of pole-dancers from Florida took to using "Pour Some Sugar On Me" as their main tune. One of them went on holiday and requested a local radio station played it. The effect was massive. Huge sales, regular rotation on MTV and the album went on to be one of the biggest selling vinyls of all time.

The songs carry you throughout. I could not help but want to hear them again. Buying the CD gave my record a rest but I am now back on vinyl. I am lost every time I listen to it. Simply outstanding. You could in fact say that whenever I put it on, I Lie Back & Enjoy It!

Track Listing:

Women

Rocket

Animal

Love Bites

Pour Some Sugar On Me

Armageddon It

Gods of War

Don't Shoot Shotgun

Run Riot

Hysteria

Excitable

Love and Affection

Members:

Steve Clark - Guitars

Phil Collen - Guitars

Rick Savage - Bass

Joe Elliot - Lead Vocals

Rick Allen - Drums