Def Leppard returns with their latest, 'YEAH!', a collection of new "classic" songs that influenced the guys as they were growing up in 1970's England and Ireland. Spawned from shows like 'Top of the Pop's' and radio stations such as Tommy Vance's BBC's Radio 1, the songs featured here are classic staples that had Def Leppard itching to sharpen their musical chops and embark on a successful career of their own. The idea of a covers album initially concerned me, but the guys pulled it off in rocking fashion. On,'YEAH!', Def Leppard decided to go with the best of the UK Glam and for the most part, do a pretty job. Best examples include The Nerve's "Hanging On The Telephone", a smooth groove laden take on Roxy Music's, "StreetLife". The biggest surprise was their version of the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset", which becomes almost as fresh and endearing as a Def Leppard original. Then you have Sweet's "Hellraiser". Others are a little too close to the original like Badfinger's "No Matter What" but this one's a welcomed revisit to the classics. Phil Collen takes the vocal duties for the 'Faces' "Stay with me" and pulls off a pretty good Rod Stewart whiles he's at it. Whilst in the overall scheme of things, most of us would prefer an album of new Def Leppard material. 'YEAH!' is a solid example of how a band has been influenced by other outstandingwriters and musicians.

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