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"X" Def Leppard |
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Their "tenth" record finds them returning slightly back to "Slang" mode only to a lesser degree this time. Opening with, gasp(!!) one of the more "rockin" tracks on the disc, "Now," is… well it's a bit destitute overall with an upswept chorus-something the boys have gotten quite good at since their "Sugar-sweetened" days, wouldn't you say… The guitar work, never much to boast of since Pete Willis went the way of the bottle, features some interesting hooks and an electric/acoustic trade off for this catchy opener; "Unbelievable" is another of those "I'll be two steps behind" types… next; "You're So Beautiful" is a return to "Hysteria" with intuitive instrumental work over a predictable beat… the guys just can't find another inch or two of free space on the right side of the dial for those guitars can they? Are we worried the vox will be drowned out? It's been brewing, but now my heretofore "slight" rant needs to let loose if only for a momentary lapse in objectivity. Elliott's voice is still caught somewhere between "Hysteria" and "Adrenalize," two albums that for all their credibility-killing Pop excess, still rocked better than anything they've done in… does anyone remember what they did in the nineties anyway? Sorry guys, but even Mellencamp's got more brass than you've displayed in the last decade-where did it all go? Mellowing in step with the music, I'm enmeshed in another arena-sized acoustical anthem and shortcut solo bowed by gratuitous harmonizing…"Long Way To Go" is another mature outing geared for AOR and since we've been stuck in first gear since song two, it's amongst the better of their red wine and roses moments; "Four Letter Word" sounds ultra heavy considering the bingo night company kept, invigorating the "Armageddon It" groove that worked so well before and welcome as it is, what's going with the production? Someone leave pillows over the speakers? Allen's drums are drowned out from the first, and Campbell's maybe one and only time to shine comes and goes… ah yes, but the backing vocals are there, not to be outdone… never to be outdone. You flip through the pages of the lyric-less cover booklet and images of a revitalized band abound; the guys, looking in peak form, freshly coiffed and flying, signaling excitement lies ahead… not quite. Aside from a few fatigued samples and loops, the record's weak and weary and very much indicative of an overdrawn boy band who's best days are decades removed. "Gravity" and "Cry" in particular offer glimmers of early hope before falling prey to simply awful choruses. And still I ask myself, two guitarists? Guitar Rock or glee club? You decide. And by the time "Scar" appears to breathe some degree of life into the proceedings it's too late! "Now," "Four Letter Word," and maybe "Cry" are the best of the rest and on repeated play, they'll get old very quickly. What else is salvageable? How bout "Day After Day" and "Paper Sun" from the last album? Oops… Hey, it's been done to death and by better and younger bands that aren't hampered by their own instruments… maybe food for thought guys? I'll take the last Perry-less Journey record over this one anyday cause even at their weakest extreme their still stronger than this. Sorry guys, I stopped believing a long time ago! Released by Island Records Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu] P.O. Box 20252
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