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Artist: Def Leppard
Album: X
Label: Island Records
Reviewer: Derek

I readily admit that Def Leppard is one of those bands that I link to my
youth. Def Leppard wrote amazing music, mixed in with a lot of silly
fodder. Killer songs like "Photograph", "Stagefright", "Hysteria",
"Animal", "Women", and "Rocket" always seemed to give way to cheesy
ballads like "Love Bites", and goofy tunes like "Pour Some Sugar On Me".
Nonetheless I was able to look beyond the efforts I didn't like because
the songs I did dig were just so damn good. Thus Def Leppard I always
considered to be musical hero's of sorts. They were able to rock, yet
appeal to girls, and even more importantly to radio!

Today Def Leppard returns with album ten. My initial response was 
disappointment. But after getting over the fact they will never write
another "Hysteria" record I dove back into"X". Staying true to form there
are ballads, even more so then ever. Songs like "Unbelievable" and "Long
long Way To Go" are meant to pull at the heart strings of girls far and
wide. Then there are songs like "Everyday" that have a light hearted feel
to them, yet force you against your will to sing along. Catchy as shit.
But where are those rocking tunes?

The first release "Now" is a classic Def Leppard song. Guitar driven and
full of melodies. Be sure to check out those screeching harmonics during
the chorus. And I have to mention Joe Elliot, he sounds like he did back
in 1986. Another song that rips is "Four Letter Word". The first time I
heard it I thought John Mellencamp, then when Joe bellows "It's just your
kiss..K-I-S-S that I miss..." I was like "Oh, here is one of those cheesy
tunes!" But listen deeper and you hear a classic Def Leppard concoction.
Savage unleashing that infamous high pitched background vox, hard hitting
axe licks, and some hook in mouth melodies. All are the basic formula for
Def Leppard.

The only track that harkens back to the old school Leppard is "Scar".
Think "Pyromania". Mellow to start and the tone is serious. Listening to
it you would swear you are back in 86. Florescent green is in, and your
feathered hair is held together with Aqua Net. Then without warning Joe,
Phil, Rick, and Vivian break off a classic Def Leppard chorus and you
can't help but dive in and sing like you did back in the day. Huge
melodies only to be followed with a series of ripping guitar solo's that
fly straight up your ass. Def Leppard at their finest, to bad it is
nothing more then a dick tease.

It seems silly for guys in their 40's to keep writing love songs, but that
seems to be the direction Def Leppard chooses to go. The ballads and light
hearted tunes have kept them in business for a long time. Why go away from
your bread and butter? But for the people out there that remember songs
like "Photograph" and wish that Def Leppard would write one more album
like "Pyromania" will have to keep dreaming. Outside of "Scar", this album
is the end result of years of radio success. It is not a bad record, in
fact almost every song could be a radio favorite. Most Def Leppard fans
will be delighted, I just can't seem to shake that urge to hear Def
Leppard rock the way we all know they can, and maybe one day will again.

On the Derek Scale: 6.5 out of 10....Def Leppard continues to write
amazing music, and are stellar musicians, but "X" gets a lower score due
to the number of love songs on the record. To much mush, and not enough
bite!

Recommended Tracks: "Everyday", "Scar", "Now", and "Four Letter Word"

Track Listing:
1) Now
2) Unbelievable
3) You're So Beautiful
4) Everyday
5) Long Long Way To Go
6) Four Letter Word
7) Torn To Shreds
8) Love Don't Lie
9) Gravity
10) Cry
11) Girl Like You
12) Let Me Be The One
13) Scar 

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