X
Despite all the tragedies and VH1 specials that have befallen them, Def  Leppard remain one of the most reliable British arena-rock bands out there.  After briefly losing direction in the dour '90s, the band rebounded with 1999's  exuberantEuphoria.  Things stay mercifully on course with the scintillatingly titledX(as in  the Roman numeral for 10, they tell us with a wink). "Torn to Shreds" and "Cry"  are classic stonewashed-denim rockers, lifted straight from the 15-million  sellingHysteriablueprint. Meanwhile, "Long, Long Way to Go" arrives as the obligatory lighter-waving ballad in the fine tradition of "Love Bites." Ladies and gentlemen, let's  hear it for the heavy metalDuran Duran.--Aidin Vaziri