Credo che questa sia la prima recensione in assoluto di X dal mitico
melodicrock.com:

DEF LEPPARD: X

Produced: Woodroffe, Frederiksen, Carlsson, Aldeheim

Released: July 24, 30 & August 6 / Website <http://www.defleppard.com>
Relatives: Slang, Euphoria, Adrenalize
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 98%



Now
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*

Let's say it right up front - Def Leppard's X is their best album
since Hysteria and is easily the most commercial record they have
ever
recorded.
I have changed several thoughts and views since my initial summary on
the Newsdesk, so for the final verdict on the record and it's songs,
read on...
I previously declared that X was Slang 2002 - with a dash of Euphoria
and Adrenalize thrown in.
That's true, but isn't essentially the best description of the album.
X is all of the above, but essentially, this is just Def Leppard
2002.
The album has parts of the bands last 4 albums all rolled together
and
baked in a new fresh essence.
On Slang the band tried to propel themselves too far into a direction
that fans didn't were not comfortable with. On Euphoria, the Leps
overcompensated, sending themselves back in time. Both albums were
solid and enjoyable in their own right, but neither nailed it.
On X the guys nail it. Forget about the style, direction and tempo of
this album - what makes this record is the songs. The songwriting on
X
is as good as any Leppard record to date. A lot of time has been put
into the writing
process and it shows. 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 - if any.
This is not Hysteria 2002 or Slang 2002 - this is Def Leppard 2002.
The guys are now that little bit older and wiser and it shows in this
record.
The first half of the album is the more laid back and best half,
while
the second half picks up the tempo with some more traditional Leppard
rock n roll moments, but maybe isn't quite as strong.
Euphoria to X definitely is not the jump that Adrenalize to Slang was.
X utilizes production techniques and song styles that are relative to
what some mainstream Top 40 acts have done in recent times and this
is
a modern record in that sense. A mellower Slang remains the album's
closest relative - both stylistically and song wise, but there is
also
a fair serve of new Def Leppard here.
There's nothing as instantly obvious as the stadium rock anthem
Promises, but the songs grow on you and demand repeat listens like
their last 2 albums haven't. After 2 weeks of daily playback, I still
want to hear the songs again. For me, Euphoria (as good as it was)
did
not have that kind of shelf life.
There aren't any overly alternative tracks like the heavy industrial
sound of Slang's opening track Truth?, but there are some
experimental
Slang like moments, like the heavy chorus of Torn To Shreds, the
dance-pop of Gravity and the heavy modern rocker Cry.
This is a far more matured Def Leppard. It's a mainly uptempo and
free
flowing album, but it's not an album driven by hard edged guitar.
This
album has a far more polished approach. X sounds like it was largely
written on acoustic guitars, as through the high-tech production and
modern pop rock feel, a base of acoustic guitars can be heard on
several tracks.
Above all, this is a very commercial album. The largely pop/melodic
rock approach of the album and high quality of several commercial
tracks suggests that X could see the Leps back in favor with radio
programmers worldwide.
There is at least 5 or 6 tracks that could comfortably fit on any
radio format playlist.

Track by Track:

Now is an interesting way to start the album. An acoustic based track
with a soft acoustic intro. A very commercial, very moody track that
runs from an acoustic/high-tech/modern pop intro to a heavier modern
rock chorus and then progressively heavier verses. Lots of effects,
especially within the chorus, but still features acoustic base. No
big
hook to catch you first listen, but a very catchy song in the end.
From the moody first track, it's straight into a ballad for track 2.
But not your average ballad, as Unbelievable is a mellow, but mostly
mid-tempo feel good pop/rock ballad. Lots of vocal layers in the
chorus that is very catchy. Another new side to the band, but similar
to It's Only Love from Euphoria. The track was co-written with
Swedish
hit makers Andreas Carlsson and Per Aldeheim and demands radio play
as
it features several layers of effects and production add-ons, making
it very commercial indeed. Did I mention that it's a great feel good
song?!

You're So Beautiful is the first sign of a more traditional Def
Leppard sound on the album. The track is again very laid back in the
verse and acoustic drive, with typical Leppard guitar effects layered
over the top - all in tune with the modern slick production
techniques
of the album as a whole. The very pop-ish track features a monster
chorus. The two-part chorus lifts the song from 'sweet' to 'classic'.
The first anthem of the album, with a killer hook.

Everyday is another track intro'd with acoustic guitars and Joe's
distinctive raspy vocals. The song remains mid-tempo and evenly
balanced with an acoustic base throughout. The song builds towards
the
chorus but doesn't go over the top. Rather it's a laid back chorus of
sweet layered harmonies that really sinks it's hooks into your brain.
A very catchy song
with a very commercial and feel good approach. Another radio hit.
Features a soft electric guitar solo.

Long, Long Way To Go is amazing. This track just gets better and
better. This is a killer song...breathtaking. One of the band's best
ever ballads. Acoustic, soft and gentle, with a chorus that soars sky
high, while retaining all the required sentiment of the song. A
monster if radio gets hold of it. I can see why an acoustic version
of
the song was recorded - looking forward to hearing it. Joe's
emotional
vocals rule this song. Hit, hit, hit!

Four Letter Word is traditional Leps here - straight off Adrenalize.
If this song wasn't written back then, I'd be surprised, but in any
regard, this is a mostly up-tempo anthem / party rocker, without
being
overly heavy. The verse features a Pyromania hard edged guitar sound,
while the chorus is everything that the high-tech layered Leppard
have
ever been. Not the best chorus I have ever heard - maybe missing
another hook - but gets better on repeated listens.

Don't think Torn To Shreds is a ballad! After 5-6 seconds it bursts
into a big wall of modern rock guitars in the style/sound of Slang's
Deliver Me and Turn To Dust. The guitars then vaporize and a soft
acoustic ballad verse is played out. Then that chorus - bang! Huge! A
big modern rock / semi-industrial style chorus with great hooks and
layers of vocal harmonies! Catchy as hell and one of the more
musically interesting tracks from the album and another possible hit
single for rock radio. One of the more Slang like album tracks.

Love Don't Lie features Slang style effects and a modern rock
production feel, but basically an acoustic/electric driven Leppard
standard. Not bad, but following the last track a little flat and in
need of a better hook. 30+ listens in and I rate this the weakest
track of the album. Should have been the additional bonus track. The
track that was relegated to the bonus track is 10 times better than
this.

Gravity makes up for the lack of impact of the last track. This is a
very cool track and again, is very commercial. This is another left
of
center track. The song is the most high-tech pop of the whole album.
It's only 2 minutes 30 long and is chock full of synth-pop production
effects. Similar in approach to that of the title track from Slang
and
All Night from Euphoria, but more effects and a stronger pop feel.
Cool track with a heavier anthem chorus that could be all over any
radio format. Short and sweet!

Cry is the most openly alternative and heavy modern rocker of the
album. This Slang-like modern rocker has a strong heavy guitar sound.
The chorus is different to say the least. Some familiar guitar sounds
back in the mix, but generally very in your face and aggressive. I
don't have songwriter credits yet, but this has to be written with
Marti Frederiksen, as this sounds very close to a number of the
heavier tracks from the last Aerosmith album Just Push Play, which
Marti also co-wrote.

Girl Like You is similar to Love Don't Lie. Uptempo, traditional
Leps,
but with the Slang guitar sound and several synth-loops and effects.
The song has a softer verse and notably heavier chorus. The verse is
cool, but again in need of a stronger hook in the chorus.

Let Me Be The One is the only ballad of the second half of the album.
The soft intro into this acoustic driven pop rock ballad gives way to
a laid back chorus that features some detailed instrumental backing.
Nothing new here and perhaps again, in need of a stronger chorus, but
ultimately a good song. This is one track that I hope doesn't become
a
single, as it has been done many times before. The album features far
more interesting and catchy single possibilities.

The North American version of the album finishes with Scar. Yes
indeed, a fine way to end any album. This is a very very very cool
track. A future classic amongst long time Leppard fans I think. The
song has the moody delivery of Slang, the drum sound of
Hysteria/Adrenalize and a big anthem chorus that is typical of old
school Def Leppard. Lots of layers and background harmonies. Close to
the style/delivery of I Am Your Child from Euphoria. Gets better
every
listen and could be a rock radio single also.

The UK/Japan bonus track Kiss The Day is a heavy rocker with big dark
and heavy sound, especially on the chorus, where things get super
heavy. Shame it's not on every release of the album. It's a better
track than Girl Like You and Love Don't Lie combined. The raw, hard
drum sound mixed with a moody and heavy modern rock/Slang style
chorus
mixes well with the verse, which is largely laid back, featuring only
the drums and a soft electric guitar.

Not Reviewed - The Japanese Bonus Track: Long Long Way To Go
(Acoustic)

BOTTOM LINE: Just a great album. Great songs are the name of the game
- each with it's own charm and variation to warrant repeat listens. I
found that as things progressed different songs became favorites and
as the album ran full circle, initial favourites returned. The more
commercial laid back first half of the album contains the best songs,
but the second half well and truly holds it's own. I only found 2
tracks that weren't in line with the standards of the rest of the
album, which means that this for me is their best album since
Hysteria. In fact, I have little doubt that the overall fan reaction
will rank the album in a similar fashion. With the rigth promotion
and
strong radio chances for several songs, there is no reason why we
won't be hearing a whole lot of Leppard over the coming months. A
special mention goes to the producers of this album. This extra time
and effort with effects and layers has been well spent. Each listen
reveals something new in the mix and will ensure that the lifespan of
this album is a decent one. The more tastefully implemented modern
sound will allow the band to compete with today's Top 40 acts,
without
alienating any old fans.

PRODUCTION: 100%
SONGS: 95%
VIBE: 98%
ATTITUDE: 98%
ESSENTIAL FOR: All Def Leppard fans and all fans of high-tech melodic
rock.

DISCOGRAPHY:On Through The Night . High And Dry . Pyromania .
Hysteria
. Adrenalize . RetroActive .Vault . Slang . Euphoria . X