Stephen
Not many is brave enough to go back to "Pyromania" or "Hysteria" era, even Def Leppard themselves chose to avoid, but Grand Design decided to bring back that NWoBHM-to-melodic rock transitional era, packing the album with multi-layers heaven sent choir, massive guitar riffs, screeching vocal, big hooks, basically every single thing that shot Leppard to stardom in the 80s.
The production level is high, for a vintage arrangement style like this, fans can enjoy a huge and modern recording, so imagine how those huge vocal and guitars exploded through your speakers and fly straight to your ears, immense and grandeur! Several songs which I think are their best here are the early 80s monstrous riffs of "Love Sensation", the gigantic "Air It Out", the epic power ballad of "Sad Sound of Goodbye", and the sensational "Hello Mr. Heartache".
The little troubling moment for me is that not all tracks are as strong as these four. Sure tracks like "Let's Go Down Fighting" and the acoustic ballad of "Love Will Know" are pleasantly enjoyable, but with other decent goodies like "Slugged Out", "Piece of The Action", and "No Time For Love", it lacks something huge and punchy like what Leppard did with songs such as "Hysteria" or "Pour Some Sugar On Me" that will stuck in your head for years. But overall, you just can’t find a single bad song at all inside.
You can't deny the fact that Grand Design is imitating Def Leppard, cause even that drum sound is very similar, too similar I must say, but since Leppard has abandoned the classic style the fans adore, I don't see a problem with them filling in the void. With a much more better and consistent songwriting, I have high hopes the second album that's planned to be out soon in 2011 will be a total blast. To fans of Def Leppard at their peak, "Time Elevation" is a must buy.