Def Leppard - X
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Free Music Notes for X
Free Music Review: Xcellent! You won't be disappointed!
Hit: 5 Stars
Joe and the guys have created another awesome set of tunes with "X". Following Slang, the guys took a turn back toward their roots with Euphoria. Similarly, "X" keeps to the classic Def Leppard sound. This album is very much reminiscent of "Hysteria".
One notable difference in this album is the lack of what I like to call "Def Epic" tunes. This refers to songs like "Gods of War", "Die Hard The Hunter", "White Lightning", "Pearl of Euphoria", etc. But the most noteable thing about "X" is that it is a "softer" (for lack of a better word) album. The album is not all love songs, but it does seem to have a softer feel than previous albums. As for the lyrics, while they add to that feel, it doesn't make them bad. Def Leppard isn't Iron Maiden, or any other band, and never wanted to be. I believe it is their intention to keep the songs and lyrics dynamic and changing. By that I mean that while some songs have specific messages and/or meaning (Gods of War, White Lightning, etc.), others are just "fun", and have no ulterior meaning or motive. That same dynamic mix is here, but the differences are far more suttle. The lyrics found here are primarily about human emotion, but you will find the range of emotions to be quite wide.
In the end, I rate this as one of the band's best. I would rate it the absolute best if there had been even one good Def Epic tune. Based on potential radio air time and chart topping potential, it is without a doubt their #1 album. I honestly don't understand why I'm not hearing these songs all over the radio.
Free Music Review: X is well worth it!
Hit: 5 Stars
This cd is the sound for today. If you're looking for sweet melodies and awe inspiring vocal harmonies this one is for you. Every track is a winner. There is a great mix between guitar oriented rock on "Scar", "Four Letter Word", "Torn to Shreds", "Cry" and "Gravity" and achingly sweet ballads in "Long Long Way to Go" and "Let Me Be the One." The remainder of the tracks are just good old-fashioned wonderful songs with a signature Def Leppard edge.
Granted, this cd is a very much updated version of Def Leppard. If you're looking for hard crunching, feel good, let's party music, pick up a copy of "Pyromania" or "Hysteria", you won't find it here. Gone are the drink 'til you drop and overt sexuality of those albums but it is replaced with an appreciation and deep respect for love and life.
What you will find on 'X' is a collection of 13 of the finest songs I have heard in a long time. I am so tired of listening to everyone's pain and anguish and the bleak pictures we've had painted for us musically. Thankfully, Def Leppard can still manage to write about love and longing, pain and desire and not forget about the faith of learning to love again.
Ah! There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Maybe, just maybe we'll be able to climb out of the depression pit musically and enjoy a little optimism for a change.
While you're at it, pickup a copy of "Slang" you won't be disappointed. Musically and lyrically, "Slang" is a jaw dropper.
Free Music Review: X-cellent!
Hit: 5 Stars
This one is a grower and a keeper - often the signs of something which will be listened to for a long time.On first listen I liked the first half, but thought the middle-to-end tailed off; now I still like the first half a lot, but also really appreciate the subtleties later on.
Stylistically this heads right between Slang and Euphoria - with hindsight not so surprising, this is just where Def Leppard ought to be today! It occurred to me that if they'd released this instead of Slang in 1996 they'd still be chart-topping today; although I suspect the band would say that without doing Slang and Euphoria when they did, they wouldn't have been able to make this record now.
No, it isn't "heavy" like Pyromania or High'n'Dry; the production isn't 80s super-slick like Hysteria or Adrenalize. The sound is warm, organic and live-ish, with a few touches of electronic drum and bass occasionally. And there are enough rockers - Now, You're So Beautiful, Four Letter Word, Torn to Shreds, Cry, and there IS the traditional long-ish Leppard epic in the form of Scar.
The extra tracks on the Euro / Japan version are worth getting: Kiss the Day sounds like a heavied-up Beatles with two excellent solos, a short one mid-song and a longer one in the outro, and the acoustic version of Long, Long Way to Go improves on the already-excellent original. Especially if you have a hang-up over drum machines.
Buy and enjoy. Hope it sells.
Free Music Review: Fresh new music
Hit: 5 Stars
When I think of Def Leppard I think of bombastic Arena Rock. I bought this album hoping for much the same, but when I listened to it I found something much different, much better. If you are looking for Hysteria or Pyromania part 2, do not bother with this album. This album is fabulous, mixing a fresh sound with what Def Leppard does best. My personal favorites are Torn To Shreds, You're So Beautiful, & Scar. Torn To Shreds has a great transition from mellow to upbeat rocker. You're So Beaut. is upbeat and powerfully delivers a high message. Scar has a great sound and unbelievable dual guitar solos. These three songs help the album keep a rocking side while Long Long Way To Go & Let Me Be The One are fantastic ballads, better than any the band has done before. Four Letter Word has an attitude and raw nature that will get you hooked. Now builds tempo like a child running out of patience, calmly asking for love Now, then rocks as the impatience builds. Brilliantly done. Every song has great appeal. Brilliant album. If you do not believe me, listen to the samples of You're So Beaut., Long Long Way, Now, Everyday, and know that the rest of the album continues to be this good, if not better. If this album were done under a different bands name, it would already be huge. Its too bad for prejudices, don't let yourself be suckered in. Get the album, you won't regret it.Free Music Review: def leppard goes pop-sort of
Hit: 5 Stars
This time around the lads have gone for the "pop" angle again. The songs are concise, 3-4 minutes only per track. Good choruses, with the classic Leppard harmonies abound. And two tracks from outside the band, one from some of Britney's writers (Unbelievable), dunno who the others are but it's a good track(Long Long Way To Go, which is perhaps their best ballad since Love Bites!), and input from one of Aerosmith's collaborators, which still fits nicely onto the album. There are mid-tempo rockers, moody tunes, a couple of up-tempo numbers (4 Letter Word is my favourite, hints of Armageddon It), and to close, "Scar", written on the anniversary of Steve Clark's death, and it shows. This song is also the only one with a decent guitar solo. Having said that, Scar has perhaps the most interesting solo for years, certainly since White Lightning (Adrenalize) IMHO. The other thing missing is a mid-tempo "apache" beat song, last heard on Euphoria (Paper Sun, which is fantastic, although I think the solo could have been better - they made up for it live), and something nobody else does as well (Billy's Got A Gun, White Lightning, etc.).
The UK version has 2 extra tracks, Kiss The Day, which is an excellent mid-tempo song that goes nuts at the end (best guitarwork on the CD from both Phil and Viv), and an acoustic version of Long Long Way To Go, which is nice.