Def Leppard Atomic Mess News

You can think it's good or bad that Def Leppard did a step forward and do play music with modern elements now, but in spite of all modern arrangements the guys never forget to create absolutely high quality songs with killer hooklines, yes - songs with world hit character. Unfortunately the further development means in the case of Def Leppard that the songs not really rocks in Def Leppard manner, but therefore the guys give us 10 of 13 sensational smooth Pop-Rock songs which sounds all very commercial. The production is perfect, nearly too sterile, I can not say that it sounds like really handmade rock music. Don't understand me wrong, "X" is an absolutely well done album with modern influences and the songs contains the typical Def Leppard choruses.

Loaded they may be, but it's not cash that drives Def Leppard. After 20 years, it's their place in music history they're looking to secure.

"IF THIS WAS ABOUT MONEY," JOE ELLIOTT says, "We could have retired in 1988. Clearly we don't need the money. We all believe that we've still got great songs inside us.

So here is a record made by rich guys with the purest of motives. Hungry fighters will always be the best, but there's much to be said for the veteran survivor, made wise and wily by time and experience. There are great measures of skill and know-how in the 13 songs on 'X'. Like anyone involved for a number of years in successful creative endeavour, Def Leppard will never drop below a certain standard. They are solid and disciplined, and it's impossible not to admire the craftsmanship here. Each song is perfectly wrought and expertly primed for maximum effect, 'X' will certainly not let anyone down.

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I guess none of you seriously expected X would become an album in the style of the band's masterpieces Pyromaniaand Hysteria. That's good as the new effort sees DEF LEPPARD drifting into new and modern musical territories. But don't worry, the new songs sound still unmistakably like DEF LEPPARD and don't repeat the same mistakes the band did with their controversial Slang release. Let's have a detailed look at each song:

The opener Nowis the albums first single and a stylish Rock song that masterfully combines modern elements with the classic DEF LEPPARD trademarks. In the beginning the song is driven by a smooth drum groove and accompanied by soft guitars, but at the insetting chorus, and after, it gets heavier with a darker edge. The solo part in the middle plays with some slight Indian sounds as you know them from the latest AEROSMITH albums. Seems that co-writer Marti Frederiksen had a lasting influence on the arrangements.

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Def Leppard will release their new album X in July. But what's in store for fans eagerly awaiting the new CD? X is Slang 2002 - with a dash of Euphoria and Adrenalize thrown in.

X sees Def Leppard modernize their sound for the second time in their recording career, but this time they will not alienate as many fans. In 2002 Def Leppard are older and wiser and it shows in this record. It has a more laid back feel than I anticipated, but it certainly does still rock.

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The complete track list for X is:

• Now (opening single)
• Unbelievable
• You're So Beautiful
• Everyday
• Long, Long Way To Go
• Four Letter Word
• Torn To Shreds
• Love Don't Lie
• Gravity
• Cry
• Girl Like you
• Let Me Be The One
• Scar
• Kiss The Day (Japanese/UK release only)
• Long, Long Way To Go (acoustic)

One of the biggest bands of the 80's and arguably one of the most cutting edge has set forth their older material on DVD in 2002. Unfortunately, instead of being on the cutting edge, Def Leppard is on the chopping block with this release.

After experiencing all-time highs in the 80's, Def Leppard seemingly disappeared in the 90's. With the exception of their 1996 critically-acclaimed album "Slang," most of the bands offerings were mediocre and didn't meet with the sales success they achieved in the 80's. However, it's a new millennium; a new Leppard album is on tap for 2002, tentatively titled "X", so perhaps the band is ready to try to reclaim their past glory.

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Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliott, guitarist Phil Collen and members of David Bowie's '70s band Spiders From Mars have recorded a double-CD of Bowie covers under the name Cybernauts.

The 25-track set, Cybernauts Live, consists of 18 live songs and seven studio cuts for a total of nearly two-and-a-half hours of music.

The Cybernauts project grew out of Elliott's admiration for Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson, who died of cancer in 1993.

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Note: This is an old article from 1987 that I recently acquired and decided to post.

Def Leppard's album `Pyromania', released in 1983, sold 6 million copies in the U.S. alone. It's no surprise, then, that people ask Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage for his autograph. The only problem is that when they approach Savage these days, it's often because they think he's Jon Bon Jovi. When you've spent most of the last four years hidden in recording studios, people forget who you are.

Not that the Leps expected to spend so much time making Hysteria, the recently released follow-up to Pyromania. But from the moment they began, it seemed the album was cursed. They fired their first producer, then decided to produce themselves. Drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a car accident, singer Joe Elliott had a recurrence of a childhood illness, and their third producer also had a car accident.

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