10 Amazing Later Releases By Legendary Rock Acts

Most great hair metal bands didn't really have a chance sticking around past 1992. In just a matter of a few months, the age of Nirvana had set in and all the bands that were coming from the Sunset Strip were being looked at as super passe, with the likes of Warrant being passed over for more interesting bands like Alice in Chains. Def Leppard were a different breed though, and the more bubblegum flavor of pop that happened at the end of the decade ended up looking pretty well on them.

As much as some of the hardcore rock fans had problems with the album X for how far it had strayed from the traditional rock and roll of old, their ability to work in the sounds of contemporary pop actually go over surprisingly well, with the gloss of a song like Unbelievable or Now going over a lot smoother than you would expect. Though other acts like Motley Crue tried to adapt and fell on their faces, the main asset to this album comes from the production, with the band still bringing in those classic layered harmonies that they inherited from Queen and putting them to good use on ballads like Long Long Way to Go.

Compared to other bands that are just looking to sell out for the cash and make songs that are more in line with the times, this is the kind of record that feels made out of love, with Leppard having a genuine interest in trying on this different musical costume. Their influences were always on the more eclectic side of the spectrum like David Bowie, and there's no shame in selling out when you keep your songwriting chops intact.