“Theater of Pain” checks all the boxes. The clothes, the look, the prerequisite ballad.
Now compare that to Leppard. Jeans and t-shirts, nowhere near the Sunset Strip in work ethic, misogyny or stage presentation.
That’s the difference to me. It’s aged better as it leaned on classic pop-rock.
Now compare that to Leppard. Jeans and t-shirts, nowhere near the Sunset Strip in work ethic, misogyny or stage presentation.
That’s the difference to me. It’s aged better as it leaned on classic pop-rock.
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Like any young band, they latched on to a scene to build a base. But that NWOBHM era only lasted until ‘81. Arena rock is their main DNA.
1983: Thomas Dolby, new wave.
1987: Kate Bush, Jackson, pop.
1992: Bryan Adams, AC.
1996: STP, Crowded House.
1999: Sugar Ray, post-grunge.
2002: Max Martin, Swedish pop.
It’s less obvious in their elder statesmen phase, but still there.