Def Leppard was now in the midst of its second decade as a recording band and with a solidified lineup (Vivian Campbell replacing the late Steve Clark) the band was able to follow their monster seller `Hysteria' and somewhat less monster in `Adrenalize' with another big subsequent tour to introduce Viv to their fans. In a rare move not seen since the early `80's, Def Leppard actually released back to back albums in consecutive years in the fall of 1993. In the interest of full disclosure however, `Retro Active' was not really a new album but a collection of B-sides and leftovers from the 1987-1992 era. Some of the songs had been collectors' items such as "Ring of Fire", "I Wanna Be Your Hero" and a `Hysteria' era remake of their very first single "Ride Into the Sun"(awesome version of this tune!). These aforementioned tunes are among the best on this collection. Other standouts include the hit "Two Steps Behind", "Desert Song" (surprisingly heavy for this period of Def Lep!) and "Fractured Love".  Not crazy about the covers of Sweet or Mick Ronson or some of the other oddities. `Retro Active' is a decent record, not essential but maybe for fans.
Def Leppard was now in the midst of its second decade as a recording band and with a solidified lineup (Vivian Campbell replacing the late Steve Clark) the band was able to follow their monster seller `Hysteria' and somewhat less monster in `Adrenalize' with another big subsequent tour to introduce Viv to their fans. In a rare move not seen since the early `80's, Def Leppard actually released back to back albums in consecutive years in the fall of 1993. In the interest of full disclosure however, `Retro Active' was not really a new album but a collection of B-sides and leftovers from the 1987-1992 era. Some of the songs had been collectors' items such as "Ring of Fire", "I Wanna Be Your Hero" and a `Hysteria' era remake of their very first single "Ride Into the Sun"(awesome version of this tune! ). These aforementioned tunes are among the best on this collection. Other standouts include the hit "Two Steps Behind", "Desert Song" (surprisingly heavy for this period of Def Lep! ) and "Fractured Love". Not crazy about the covers of Sweet or Mick Ronson or some of the other oddities. `Retro Active' is a decent record, not essential but maybe for fans.