My overall first impression of the whole “Diamond Star Halos” album by Def Leppard is that it’s a fascinating mix of classic Def Leppard sounds from their various phases of evolution mixed with some of the great sounds of the bands who influences them.
The part of me who grew up listening to the radio intensely from around 1974 to 1988 is well served by this album. There are some rockers, some ballads, and plenty of songs in between.
I don’t love it all. I never love all of any album. Sometimes I like all of an album. I’m not sure if I like all of this album. I love parts of it and like much of the rest of it, but there may be one or two songs out of fifteen that just don’t do much for me. That’s not a bad ratio. If you took out those songs entirely that would still leave thirteen songs I like for sure, enough for a whole album.
I’m excited about hearing some of the new songs live this summer. How many bands who have been around for 45 years or so are still putting out songs I can still say that about? Not many. Heck, how many bands have even been together that long uninterrupted, let alone being together that long and still putting out new music? Again, not many.
I’m pleased. Am I over the moon? Not at the moment. But I’m also sleep deprived and not in the best mood to be reviewing a new album. I’m honestly intrigued by a good number of the songs and am looking forward to listening to them repeatedly and discovering all their parts and layers.
I’m happy they put out an interesting album with some truly good new songs and that shows some angles we haven’t quite seen before from them and expands on one’s they’ve visited before.
They haven’t run out of ideas. To me, that’s impressive. I can see why they feel good about this album. They’re not trying to figure out their place as things change around them. They’re making music they enjoy and it shows.
Queen, Elton John, Badfinger, Bowie, early Def Leppard, Hysteria Def Leppard, more Queen, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Abbey Road Beatles, all present so far in this album.
“Lifeless” is a bit too 80s lite metal ballad for me. It’s pretty, but my initial impression is that it’s kind of Boeing.
“Unbreakable,” however, is far more interesting. A minute in and it keeps going in unexpected directions. There are many things going on in this song and they probably shouldn’t work as well together as they do.
“From Here to Eternity” hello “She’s So Heavy” and Queen and then something else entirely. Then more Queen. Sav has written an intriguing one here. A great album closer.
Yep. Allison Krauss sounds great singing with Joe Elliott.
It’s always weird listening to an album one has been anticipating for months. It’s never what’s expected, but that’s neither good nor bad. With the first listen I just discover what it’s really like. I can’t really absorb it enough initially to have coherent thoughts about it. Just patchy reactions.
I’m looking forward to getting to know this album better.
I can already hear what they’ve been talking about as far as sounding more like Queen. And was that a ukulele solo I just heard?
I’m only 2/3 through it, and there includes the first three songs I’ve already become nicely acquainted with.So far those have been the most “rock” songs.
There is some beautiful guitar playing. Joe’s voice sounds great. The harmonies sound great. They’ve used some unusual sounds here and there.
Those looking for an all-rockers album like “High ‘n’ Dry” or “Pyromania” are going to be disappointed, but they’ve been disappointed since “Hysteria” in 1987. Those who’ve paid attention to the later albums and the wider range of songs the band has tackled as they’ve evolved will find much of the sound familiar, yet updated.
How each of the Leppards would act if they got their periods:
Joe- The most hormonal. Mood swings out the ass. Will scream in anger then cry 2 seconds later. Will not speak to you and then will be crushing you lovingly within minutes. Random bursts of happiness. Cries and doesn’t know why. Constantly horny and doesn’t know why. Period brain. Grumpus. Can’t decide whether he needs intense cuddles or intense sex. Somebody save him. No solace for him, just let him ride it out and go with whatever he does.
Steve- The most sleepy. Dead. Nothing but naps. Can’t move if he tried. Need to check if he’s sitting on something? Forget it. Just bring him his snacks, put another layer on him, and leave him to hibernate in peace. Maybe be his pillow but only if he so requests. He’s probably binge-ing a tv show because he’s glued to the couch. Deep sleep and hormonal dreams that make him even more tired. True neutral.
Phil- The most crampy. Legs don’t work. Insides are knives. Tiddies are full of ouch. Everything hurts. What are muscles? He wishes he had ones capable of functioning. Too weak to get off the couch so he’s sharing it with Steve. Cover him in heating pads and start him on an IV of ibuprofen. Somebody hold him and give him a foot rub because he needs some relief the poor boo.
Sav- The most hungry. Stomach is a black hole. Cravings out the ass. Just when it seems like he doesn’t have any symptoms, everyone’s suddenly asking where the entire jar of nutella and bag of potato crisps went. Went back for fourths at dinner. Pickles and ice cream. Complains about nausea later as if he has no idea why it’s happening to him. Same goes for bloating. Hide all the food and keep him hydrated ffs. Detox him and make him eat his veggies.
Viv- The one with period flu. Everyone thinks he’s actually sick. He’s cold, he’s tired, his temperature’s up, he’s dizzy, headache, he’s queasy, he’s pale. A little bit of everything. He’s not having a good time. He’s managing and is oddly peaceful, but he’s not enjoying it. Get him some vitamin gummies. Sterilize everything because his immune system is down. Keep his spirits up. Be his doctor and pamper him.
Rick- The one who has no symptoms. Zip. Zilch. He doesn’t cramp, doesn’t get hormonal, no fatigue, doesn’t get cravings, doesn’t get nauseous. He’s perfectly fine. Everyone hates him. He doesn’t see what the big deal is. He’s totally normal and can’t grasp the fact that the others get so sick. This means he’s always the caretaker of everyone else, and he’s okay with that. Still likes to rub it in their faces every time, though. Tell him to fuck off.
