In 2006, the iconic rock band Def Leppard delivered their ninth studio effort with the release of “Yeah!” This album stands out as a covers collection featuring 14 tracks, showcasing the band’s eclectic influences and broad appeal. Interestingly, they recorded an abundance of additional songs that didn’t make it onto the standard album. While some of these tracks found their way onto various exclusive editions—such as the Japanese release and multiple store-specific versions—one could easily find themselves needing to purchase five different versions just to collect all the gems.
Fortunately, the Wal-Mart edition emerged as the most comprehensive option, including not only the two Japanese bonus tracks but also three extra songs and interviews with the band, making it a must-have for collectors. This edition was released alongside the album on May 23, 2006, providing fans with a treasure trove of content.
Opening the bonus CD is a vibrant cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “American Girl.” Interestingly, this track deviates from the band’s usual practice of sticking to British songs. The demo features Joe Elliott on vocals, while Vivian Campbell takes charge of all instrumental parts, supported on drums by Marc Danzeisen. Despite being a demo, the energy and guitar work resonate strongly with Petty’s original, enhanced by impressive harmonies that add to its charm.
Following this is the first “Backstage Interview,” where the members reflect on their recent tour. Rick Allen shares insights into the challenges of travel, while the band highlights how their audience has evolved over the years.
Next up is an exhilarating rendition of Iggy Pop’s “Search & Destroy,” performed by Phil Collen. He takes on all the instrumentation as well, bringing his punk enthusiasm to the forefront. Phil’s raw emotions and distinctive voice breathe new life into the track, showcasing one of the standout moments on the bonus disc.
In the second “Backstage Interview,” Joe reveals his long-held desire to create a covers album modeled after David Bowie’s “Pin-Ups.” The band recounts how the label approached them with this idea, leading to a collaborative effort that birthed their covers album. They unanimously agree that “Rock On” stands out as the finest song on the album.
The next track is a striking cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” with Joe Elliott handling all the vocals and instrumentation. If this is indeed a demo, it’s impressive, featuring vivid sound effects and an engaging drum roll that complements Joe’s remarkable vocal performance, faithfully capturing the spirit of the original.
The third “Backstage Interview” sheds light on the criteria for selecting songs for the covers album: they needed to be hits, British hits, and predate the band’s signing with a label. With a pool of about 100 songs, the band had to narrow down their choices, aiming to avoid the most obvious selections and ultimately achieving a diverse lineup.
One of the highlight tracks is “Dear Friend,” originally by Queen, featuring Rick Savage on vocals and all instrumentation. Although Savage is not Freddie Mercury, his performance is commendably strong, and the track, though brief, is a significant moment in the album’s lineup, showcasing Savage’s talent.
Wrapping up the bonus features is the poignant cover of Jobriath’s “Heartbeat,” a beautiful piano ballad delivered with emotion by Joe. This track highlights Joe’s exceptional vocal capabilities, embodying the essence of the original while honoring Jobriath’s legacy as one of the first openly gay artists signed to a label and a trailblazer in music before his untimely passing due to AIDS in 1983.
So there it is—the Wal-Mart Bonus CD for “Yeah!” is a collection of impressive tracks that live up to the band’s legacy. While this may not receive a formal rating, it’s safe to say that all five bonus tracks shine brightly, bringing an added richness to the original album. For those keen to seek out these tracks collectively, they can be found in “The Collection Volume 3,” which presents every “Yeah!” bonus track on one disc.
Thanks for sticking around for this recap! Stay tuned for what’s next as we delve into Def Leppard’s “Songs from the Sparkle Lounge” in 2008 and continue exploring their incredible discography.
