CMH's Pickin' On is one of the more unlikely tribute series, particularly when it features the music of rock bands amid the tributes to
George Strait or
Kenny Chesney. In this case the lucky group is
Def Leppard, and 11 of the British metal group's songs are remade with the pleading harmony vocals and mandolin, banjo, guitar, and Dobro sounds synonymous with bluegrass. Not all of it works -- "Armageddon It" is damaged by
Def's own ridiculous lyrics, made clearer with the original's cast-of-thousands vocal mix removed. But "Pour Some Sugar on Me" lopes along nicely, "Rock of Ages" has some nice guitar leads, and "Love Bites" becomes a contemporary bluegrass love song that wouldn't sound out of place on an album by some Nashville newcomer.
Pickin' on Def Leppard is still a little strange, and it's audience isn't clearly defined. But fans of the group might enjoy this as a curiosity, at least. ~ Johnny Loftus