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DEF LEPPARD - X
(Island Records)
http://dallasmusicguide.com/defleppard.htm

The reason Def Leppard is one of the few 80s "arena rock" bands that still
have a major label deal is because they always try to change with the
times without being unidentifiable to longtime fans. Even though they may
not sell 10 million copies of each album anymore, even 1/10 of that is
good enough for a major label to hope for in the sad state the music
business is in now. While many turned their back on the band with their
last album, Euphoria, it looks like they won't be turning back around
anytime soon. While this is the most "Def Leppard-ish" they've sounded in
years, it's still not going to be enough to please the diehards.

Long gone is the big, bombastic rock sound that made them famous in the
first place. The closest they get is on "Four Letter Word", which is an
obvious rip-off of their own "Armageddon It". The big rock riffs are few 
and far between. The band opts instead for the mid-tempo rockers and 
ballads that just aren't as exciting as they once were. It seems as though 
they tried to recreate their popular "Hysteria" ballad sound, but the songs 
just aren't as memorable. "Long Long Way To Go" and "Let Me Be The One" 
are unsuccessful attempts at Aerosmith-like modern schlock balladry. At 
least Aerosmith has written (even heavy-handedly) some hit worthy tracks 
in recent years. So why can't these guys keep up with the likes of Steven
Tyler and co. or even labelmates Bon Jovi?

While none of the songs are offensively bad, none of them are that great,
either. The thing that made them so popular was that their songs were
catchy and fun. They might now be as funny as the mullets they once had,
but they definitely weren't forgettable. Even those who were not fans of
the band probably remember "Pour Some Sugar On Me", "Love Bites",
"Animal", or "Photograph". Sadly, there's nothing of that caliber here.

Their first single, "Now", is a prime example of what direction they are
heading in. It's obviously Def Leppard, but it's just not the same. These
are the songs that will indicate a good time for a beer run at their
shows. Usually reliable after long absences, it seems that the band is at
two strikes now. They're now one mediocre album away from striking out.

- Paul Salfen


Rating 4 out of 10

©2002 Dallas Music Guide