Rock legends Def Leppard released their 12th LP over the past week, aptly titled Diamond Star Halos - in reference to lyrics from the T. Rex classic, "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," one of the band's biggest influences. On the album - the first since their eponymous release in 2015, the rock vets pay homage to T. Rex and their other influences - namely David Bowie and Queen, but with a Lep twist. The end result is the band's best LP since Hysteria 35 years ago.
Before I provide reviews of all 15 tracks on the album, I want to say just one thing: I can't tell you how many times I've read comments from critics and laypersons alike that Def Leppard just isn't the same band they were in the '80s. Well, no shit. This argument drives me nuts. I hear it about every band that's released a handful of records or more. Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, Rick Allen, Rick Savage, and Vivian Campbell are all either approaching 60 or have already eclipsed it. No matter how much some may want to believe otherwise, 60-year-old rock stars aren't the same guys they were in their 20s - especially if they've achieved as much success as Def Leppard.
Here's the cycle:
1. A rock band releases a debut, which is angry and raw. They don't know if they're going to make it as a band at this point; let all their love, passion, and energy into their work; and figure they've got nothing to lose.
2. After attaining some commercial success, this rock band releases an album which mixes the raw, angry sound from their debut, with a poppier, more commercial sound.
3. The band makes it big and has a difficult time capturing that raw, angry sound of old, for the simple fact they've made it; are rich, famous; and have nothing to get angry about. This results in progressively more poppy, happy sounding records.
4. This highly successful band begins having trouble finding inspiration for making new music. They can just go on tour; play their radio hits; and make big money in the process.
It may be frustrating to fans, but psychologically, this process is perfectly understandable. Def Leppard doesn't need to make new music. They would be fine just touring; playing all their singles; and raking in the dough. If we continue to judge 60-year-old successful rock stars' albums based on what they released 40 years ago, we'll forever be disappointed. This is why I try to take each album as it comes; isolate it from the band's previous work; and see it for what it is. Having said that, here's my track-by-track review.
1. "Take What You Want" (10/10): The hardest rocking song on the album, which wouldn't sound out of place on the band's classic 1983 record, Pyromania. The introduction is even slightly reminiscent of that used in the aforementioned album's hit song, "Rock Rock ('Til You Drop)." The main riff in this song ranks right up there with the very best from the band's catalog. Perfect start to the album.
2. "Kick" (7.5/10): I wasn't sure about this song at first, but it's been growing on me with every listen. It has a fun, groovy beat to it, not at all dissimilar to T. Rex.
3. "Fire It Up" (5.75/10): This is probably my least favorite song off the album, but having said that, it's not a bad tune. It has an almost country feel to it at first, before transitioning to an arena rock track. It's a fun song, with solid guitar solos toward the tail-end of it, but the chorus feels rather generic to me.
4. "This Guitar" (6/10): Here's 1 of 2 collaborations with country/bluegrass singer, Allison Krauss. The song starts off as pure country, before segueing to more of a blues-rock feel. The vocal mix between Elliott and Krauss is solid. As I'm not a big fan of country, this certainly won't rank as one of my favorite tracks on the album, but is a decent song - a definite grower.
5. "SOS Emergency" (7.25/10): If there's a song off the album which wouldn't sound out of place on Hysteria, it's this one. Good, upbeat track - one of several fun, almost breezy rockers.
6. "Liquid Dust" (6.25/10): If there's one song I can't decide on, it's this one. The chorus is fairly generic, but everything surrounding it is interesting - especially the final 30 seconds or so, where the build-up almost makes me want to jump on the song's bandwagon. There's certainly potential here, and it could very well be a grower when all is said and done, but it hasn't reached said status with me just yet.
7. "U Rok Mi" (7.5/10): Here's one of several tracks where bassist Rick Savage shines. It's another fun, breezy rocker, but with a unique verse build-up to the chorus, which makes it stand out more than it probably should.
8. "Goodbye For Good This Time" (10/10): I was blown away by this song. It ranks right up there with the best songs Def Leppard has recorded in their 40+ years in the business. Mike Garson, who worked with David Bowie, is in charge of the strings (yes, strings), and the end result is a hauntingly beautiful epic, of which Bowie would be proud. Words can't do this song justice. Just listen to it! You won't be disappointed!
9. "All We Need" (8/10): The first five seconds sounds like Bono is about to start singing any second, before guitarists Collen and Campbell say, "PSYCH!" and bust out some delicious Lep-esque licks. Unlike a few of the songs' choruses, which don't seem to match the catchiness of the verses, the chorus here matches and even eclipses the build-up to it.
10. "Open Your Eyes" (10/10): Here's another track where Savage shines. The opening bass line is reminiscent of a '90s grunge rocker, before the classic Leppard harmony is on full display in the hauntingly beautiful chorus.
11. "Gimme a Kiss" (7.75/10): Next to "Take What You Want," this may be the hardest rocker on the album. It feels fresh; flows well; and the licks are classic Leppard. I'm not sure about Elliott's smooch at the end, but I'm not going to fret much. Fun song, which should be great live.
12. "Angels (Can't Help You Now)" (6.25/10): Here's the second track where the band collaborated with Garson. This is a potential grower, but one thing is for certain - the strings aren't as hypnotic nor goosebump-inducing as on "Goodbye For Good This Time."
13. "Lifeless" (6.5/10): Speaking of collaborations, here's the second one with Allison Krauss. Like with "This Guitar," it starts as sounding like a country song, but like with said song, it quickly transitions into something else - this time a pop-rock track. In my opinion, this is far catchier than the previous collaboration, yet still doesn't rank as one of the better songs on the album.
14. "Unbreakable" (7.5/10): Okay, so this song could get away with being placed on Hysteria as well. It has a dark, mid-tempo feel at first, before the chorus hits you like a classic 35-year-old rocker from the band. The lack of a bridge between the verse and chorus caught me off guard at first, but once I got used to the song's structure, I enjoyed it like all the other fun, breezy rockers on the record.
15. "From Here to Eternity" (10/10): One thing this album has is the perfect opening and closing tracks. "Take What You Want" is one of the best bangers by the band since their inception. "From Here to Eternity" is reminiscent of the closing song on the band's debut album, On Through the Night - "Overture." Like that song, "From Here to Eternity" is powerful, epic, and unforgettable. Unlike it, however, it sounds like a '70s hybrid of Aerosmith, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Queen.
Overall (8/10): In my opinion, Diamond Star Halos is the best album released by Def Leppard since Hysteria in 1987. There's isn't a bad track on the album, and it's loaded with classic songs, which rank right up there with the band's very best: "Take What You Want," "Goodbye For Good This Time," "Open Your Eyes," and "From Here to Eternity." No, the band doesn't sound the same as they did in 1983, but that's a good thing. They've evolved; are still experimenting; and even though it's certainly not necessary; they continue to release great music 40+ years after their founding. Not many other bands can say that. Love 'em or hate 'em, you gotta respect 'em - they're 60 and still kickin'.
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