Def Leppard – Vault (Def Leppard Greatest Hits 1980-1995)

The collection of songs is great, but the actual sound, not so much as it's quite flat and lifeless. Songs like 'Rocket' and 'Animal' sound so much better on my original vinyl with a wider soundstage and I'm thinking perhaps this collection was digital sourced.

Really satisfied with this one. A really good sounding "best of".

Def Leppard were arguably the biggest British hard rock band of the '80s. Initially part of the NWBHM, over the course of four albums the band further streamlined their already melodic sound and went stratospheric in the process, breaking the notoriously difficult US market with a series of MTV-savvy promo clips, crossover radio hits and blockbuster albums, two of which, "Pyromania" and "Hysteria", incited the entire pop-metal movement. After perfecting the winning formula that brought them global recognition, i.e. glossy production, dense sonic detail and stadium-oriented choruses, the band experienced the tragic loss of guitarist Steve Clark - an integral part of said signature sound. Rather admirably, they attempted to soldier on in his honour, but subsequent albums without his input seemingly lacked the viability, cultural impact and overall quality of their acclaimed predecessors. However, unlike many of their contemporaries struggling to keep their music careers alive as grunge entered the mainstream and drastically upset the equilibrium, Def Leppard never really lost their sense of craft or adaptability, making subtle changes to their tried-and-true method and musical vocabulary. And it was a risky action that paid off, maybe not commercially, but certainly in other ways: demonstrating a hitherto untapped flair for performing less calculated, more live-sounding rock, they proved their capability to operate without producer extraordinaire Mutt Lange and deliver lyrically and musically mature songs. Although the mid '90s was a period of galvanizing experimentation for the Sheffield rockers that curiously yielded no new identity or resurgence in popularity, it did fractionally boost their waning credibility, helping them widen their appeal and diversify their repertoire somewhat.

Shortly before this brief rebranding and eventual return to glam-inflected pop-rock, Def Leppard bridged the gap between their previous album and the next with a greatest hits compilation guaranteed to renew interest and generate record sales. "Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995)" was a two-pronged strategy to reconnect them with their extant fanbase and advance their upcoming material by keeping relevant and visible. Arriving two years after "Retro Active", a compilation of revised B-sides and unreleased recordings designed to appease impatient fans and strengthen their investment, "Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995)" has a similar concept, coincidentally inducing the masses, casual fans, collectors and diehards by offering exclusive content, limited editions and track variations according to region. Profoundly concerned that they had not closed the door on the Steve Clark era and requiring a promotional track for "Vault", the band resolved to record a leftover from 1992, "When Love & Hate Collide", the stripped-back final version of which sounded entirely current in 1995. When the single reached #2 in the UK charts, it confirmed that, in spite of the grunge explosion, the demand for impeccably produced AOR had not completely gone away. Upon scoring a hit with what was an uncharacteristic type of song for them, the band had further proof that their new straightforward material was likely to be positively received. Of course, that wasn't the case - none of the recordings from the 1994 sessions were as unabashedly sentimental or memorable as "When Love & Hate Collide", therefore matching its success was improbable

Currently certified five times platinum, and having sold in excess of five million copies, "Vault" is almost as enduring as their studio albums in terms of approval, listener satisfaction and drawing power. Indeed, the congeniality, ubiquity and value of the content herein cannot be denied, with every song fully warranted in its inclusion and strategically placed to maximize coherence and momentum. One could take umbrage with the lack of material from their early years, but even if the end product does not act in accordance with the title, there can be no argument that this flawed yet highly entertaining set contains the most familiar and accessible tracks of Def Leppard's career, highlighting every wonderfully syrupy lyric and energetic electronic drum fill and reminding us all of their vitality and greatness. A much-needed triumph for a supposedly declining veteran act, "Vault" is a rollicking rundown of all the rousing rock radio classics that popularized these pop-metal progenitors, resulting in a durable platter for the ages.

RATING: 5/5

Pretty dynamic pressing. No surface noise. Pretty much all you can ask for with a new release. Buy with confidence.

My vinyl sounds fantastic. Absolutely zero surface noise and no playback issues. I love it. The album itself is an epic collection of Def Leppard hits. I do enjoy the track list on the North American version better, however, this one still packs a punch with the 2 different tracks.

nice compilation, great sound overall for a hard rock record, and plenty of volume, highs and lows, fun to listen to, not your audiophile test LP, but a nice piece of vinyl to enjoy after a couple shots of mezcal!

Just seen on hmv uk as available, not sure for how long but a good item to get if you can.

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There is also a 2nd US CD version with Catalog #314 528 815-2