Il giorno 5-08-2002 2:20, lucazerbini, lucaze@... ha scritto:

> 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
>
>
>
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>
>
>
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>
>
Che dire??? i Def sono tornati, X e' veramente un gran disco. Differente si,
ma per chi conosce bene il gruppo sa distinguere i particolari che si
portano dietro da anni!!! Ma non volevo parlare di X (ancora e' un po'
presto e sarei comunque imparziale... sono praticamente malato per i
Def!!!), ma del loro cambiamento!!! E non voglio entrare nel particolare, ma
tenermi sul generico ponendovi una domanda: Tolti Ac/Dc e Slayer, dei grandi
nomi del rock e del metal chi non ha effettuato un cambiamento??? Sentite
gli Aerosmith di 25 anni fa' ed oggi!!! E gli Iron Maiden? Metallica?
Megadeth? Alice Cooper? Pink Floyd? Black Sabbath? Bob Dylan? Depeche Mode?
Bon Jovi? Sepultura? Van Halen? Marylin Manson? Ozzy Osbourne? ...E
potremmo andare avanti ancora per molto. I Def hanno cambiato, ma
difficilmente gli altri gruppi hanno tirato fuori dischi di buonissima
qualita' come i Leppard!!! Quello che non mi piace e' che non curano piu'
troppo come in passato il booklet interno, o almeno hanno smesso di farlo
dopo il flop economico di Slang (a me piace moltissimo, anche piu' di
Euphoria). Comunque, rimanere con il fiato sospeso e pregare per sentire un
nuovo Hysteria ogni loro nuova uscita discografica non serve... non hanno
piu' intenzione (parole di Joe) di passare troppo tempo in studio e
affrontare costi troppo enormi... e poi, non tocca a loro far rimanere
tutti a bocca aperta per aver fatto un "disco capolavoro"(queste sono parole
mie). Hanno gia lasciato il segno indelebile della loro musica anni or sono,
ripresa in malo modo da tantissimi tra cui Danger Danger-Tyketto-Brian Adams
fra i pionieri dello scopiazzamento. A questo punto sapete cosa faccio???
Rimetto d'accapo Scar che sta per terminare!!! Un saluto a tutti e LONG LIVE
ROCK N' ROLL... ci sentiamo.