Retro Active

Performer: Def Leppard
Artist: Fiachna O'Braonain; Liam O Maonlai; Peter O'Toole; Ian Hunter
Producer: Def Leppard
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: RETRO ACTIVE is a collection of B-sides, alternate versions and rarities from the Def Leppard vaults. Def Leppard: Joe Elliot (vocals, guitar, piano); Rick Savage (guitar, keyboards, acoustic & electric bass, background vocals); Vivian Campbell, Phil Collen (guitar, background vocals); Steve Clark (guitar); Rick Allen (drums). Additional personnel: Pete Woodroffe (piano); Robert Mutt Lange, P.J. Smith (background vocals). Engineers include: Pete Woodroffe, Ronald Prent, Albert Boekholt. Recorded at Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland; Rainbow Studios and Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany; Bow Lane Studios and Joe's Garage, Dublin, Ireland. If you spent several years meticulously preparing each release like Def Leppard, you'd have countless unused ditties lying around too. This bounty forms the basis for 1993's RETRO ACTIVE. The collection includes B-sides and rarities that will be familiar to only the most die-hard fans--including such rockers as "She's Too Tough," "Ride Into the Sun," and "Ring of Fire," plus the ballads "Miss You in a Heartbeat," and "Two Steps Behind." Usually such compilations are of variable quality, but RETRO ACTIVE is sequenced so cunningly it's almost comparable to a Def Leppard studio album.

Rolling Stone (11/25/93, p.114) - "...RETRO ACTIVE is a powerful package...[Def Leppard's] chief strength has been in the songs they write and RETRO ACTIVE underscores that appeal..." Entertainment Weekly (10/8/93, p.54) - "...Hard rock, '80s style, is supposed to be fun, and that's just what zillion-selling Def Leppard delivers...mostly the band just rocks out--which is pretty damn welcome..." - Rating: A- Q (12/93, p.130) - 3 Stars - Good - "...[RETRO ACTIVE] creates a pleasantly patterned patchwork that is...preferable to [Def Leppard's] more contrived, overtly commercial releases...."

Before Def Leppard, heavy metal was associated with leather, studs, and motorcycles. After a pair of mega-platinum albums in the '80s, Leppard proved that pop hooks, hard rock, and good looks could equal massive success, hatching a slew of imitators in the process. Despite numerous setbacks such as drummer Rick Allen losing an arm in an accident, followed by the death of guitarist Steve Clark, the British band persevered, achieving even more popularity. Though they inspired legions of hair metal bands, their longevity is a testament to their enduring musical legacy.

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