Def Leppard – ‘Yeah! Bonus CD with Backstage Interviews’ (2006) – (The Def Leppard Collection Series) – 2 Loud 2 Old Music.
In 2006, the iconic rock band Def Leppard dropped their ninth studio album titled ‘Yeah!’ This particular offering stands out as it features a collection of cover songs, boasting 14 tracks in total. Interestingly, the band recorded an impressive number of additional songs beyond this album, many of which were later packaged as exclusive bonus tracks across various editions of the album. From the Japanese release to special versions at Best Buy and Target, it seemed you would have to buy multiple editions to hear every track. Fortunately, fans didn’t necessarily need to hunt down the Japanese version, as the Wal-Mart edition was a treasure trove in its own right, including two Japanese bonus tracks along with three exclusive tracks and a selection of engaging interviews with the band. This particular edition featured the most bonus content available compared to the other releases and has proven to be a worthwhile purchase for fans. It was scheduled to launch on the same day as the standard album on May 23, 2006.
The album kicks off with its opening track, which intriguingly breaks the band’s tradition of exclusively covering British songs. This track is a rendition of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ “American Girl.” Notably, this song appears to be a demo, as it features Joe Elliott on vocals with Vivian Campbell playing all the instruments except for Marc Danzeisen on drums. Jesse Sheely also contributes additional backing vocals. The cover captures the vibrant energy of the original, with guitars that deliver an authentic sound and stellar harmonies. It’s a lively, feel-good track that sets a dynamic tone.
Next, we dive into the initial interview segment titled “Backstage Interview #1,” where the band reflects on their latest tour, offering snippets from each member. While they all express enjoyment in the experience, Rick Allen candidly mentions the challenges of travel. The discussion also highlights how the audience’s vibe shifts with every tour.
The journey continues with a cover of Iggy Pop’s “Search & Destroy.” This electrifying rendition features Phil Collen taking the lead vocals and playing all instruments. Phil’s passion for punk shines through with a powerful performance that encapsulates raw energy and attitude. His voice resonates with angst, making this one of the standout tracks on the bonus disc.
Moving ahead, “Backstage Interview #2” features the band discussing their desire to create a covers album. Joe reveals that he has always been fascinated by the concept, inspired by David Bowie’s ‘Pin-Ups.’ The record label approached them with the idea, and Joe eagerly embraced the opportunity, leading to the creation of this covers album. The band collectively agrees that “Rock On” is among the best tracks featured.
Following this, the band presents a cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” Joe Elliott once again takes the helm on vocals while handling all of the instruments. If this is indeed a demo, it’s an exceptional one, as it’s masterfully layered with sound effects and a captivating drum roll, showcasing Joe’s extraordinary vocal prowess. This rendition is a compelling tribute that remains true to the essence of the original.
In “Backstage Interview #3,” the group discusses the criteria they set for their covers album: 1) the songs must be hits, 2) they have to be British hits, and 3) they needed to be released before the band signed to a label. Having reviewed a substantial catalog of 100 songs—20 from each member—the process of elimination was guided by recognizing overlaps, which streamlined their selections. They aimed to avoid the most obvious choices, and for the most part, they accomplished that.
One of the more intriguing tracks is “Dear Friend,” originally by Queen, featuring Rick Savage stepping into the spotlight as the vocalist. This is particularly noteworthy as Savage is rarely found at the forefront. While he doesn’t quite channel Freddie Mercury’s iconic presence, he delivers a commendable performance. The track is short, clocking in at just over a minute, but it certainly stands out as a memorable piece showcasing Sav’s vocal talent.
Rounding out the album is a cover of Jobriath’s “Heartbeat.” This beautiful piano ballad features Joe on vocals, showcasing one of his best performances throughout the ‘Yeah!’ collection. His emotive singing captures a profound sense of feeling, making it one of my favorite covers from the album. For those unfamiliar with Jobriath, he was a groundbreaking artist, being one of the first openly gay musicians to secure a record deal and tragically one of the first to die from AIDS in 1983. The decision to include this track feels like a heartfelt celebration of his contributions to music.
And there you have it, the Wal-Mart Bonus CD for ‘Yeah!’ While I won’t be assigning a rating to this disc since it accompanies the original album purchase, rest assured that all five bonus tracks included here are exceptional. If you were to extract a few less favorable songs from the main album and replace them with these bonus tracks, there’s a solid chance that the album could have received a perfect five-star rating. However, since they didn’t make the cut, we find ourselves here instead. Fans seeking these songs have the option to find them in The Collection Volume 3 set, which conveniently compiles all the ‘Yeah!’ bonus tracks onto a single disc. And yes, I’ve got that set.
Thanks for staying tuned. Up next: DEF LEPPARD – ‘SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE’ (2008).
