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Post by CindyJ on May 30, 2022 9:39:42 GMT -8
I've only had time to listen to DSH top-to-bottom three times. I like it more with each listen. Don't strongly dislike any of the songs, though I do like Liquid Dust (not fond of the repeating "liquid dust, liquid dust" part) and Unbreakable (the "unbreakable, unshakeable" part annoys me) less than the other songs. Really like Take What You Want, Kick and Fire It Up. Of the remaining tracks, Open Your Eyes is my clear favorite. The musicianship is stellar throughout. Joe's vocals are strong. The backing vocals are amazing. Ronan did a fabulous job gluing it all together. One puzzling aspect.... apparently Rick Allen doesn't play at all on this album. Reading the booklet included with the CD, for every song it says "Ronan McHugh: Drum Programming". The first page of the booklet lists info about where the songs were recorded: Recorded at: Joe's garage, Dublin Ireland; Phil's Sweat Shop, Laguna Hills, CA, USA; Sav's Base, Sheffield, UK; Viv's Guitar Shed, New Hampshire, USA. No mention of Rick Allen recording anything.
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Post by CindyJ on May 30, 2022 9:57:06 GMT -8
Japanese CD with two bonus tracks + sticker arrived today.
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Post by diva on May 30, 2022 10:07:44 GMT -8
I've only had time to listen to DSH top-to-bottom three times. I like it more with each listen. Don't strongly dislike any of the songs, though I do like Liquid Dust (not fond of the repeating "liquid dust, liquid dust" part) and Unbreakable (the "unbreakable, unshakeable" part annoys me) less than the other songs. Really like Take What You Want, Kick and Fire It Up. Of the remaining tracks, Open Your Eyes is my clear favorite. The musicianship is stellar throughout. Joe's vocals are strong. The backing vocals are amazing. Ronan did a fabulous job gluing it all together. One puzzling aspect.... apparently Rick Allen doesn't play at all on this album. Reading the booklet included with the CD, for every song it says "Ronan McHugh: Drum Programming". The first page of the booklet lists info about where the songs were recorded: Recorded at: Joe's garage, Dublin Ireland; Phil's Sweat Shop, Laguna Hills, CA, USA; Sav's Base, Sheffield, UK; Viv's Guitar Shed, New Hampshire, USA. No mention of Rick Allen recording anything. [br I’m concerned about that too. He seems disengaged. He’s very engaged with his wife’s music.
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Post by lucaze on May 30, 2022 10:14:13 GMT -8
Japanese CD with two bonus tracks + sticker arrived today. Does your regular Japanese cd (the one on the left) has the bonus tracks? Mine is absolutely same as yours but it is same as the Euro regular cd 🤔🤔
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Post by tsmith on May 30, 2022 10:25:52 GMT -8
Nice. Waiting on my Japan shm deluxe to arrive! Is your colored cover the Japan deluxe CD or the target CD? I had a target deluxe CD but was disappointed the inside booklet cover was the "normal" black and white one. So have ordered the Japan deluxe CD as I think from the unboxing video I saw it should have a colored booklet and thats what I'm mostly after. Although, those shm CDs are pretty nice too and they usually seem to be little better quality but that just might be my imagination lol. Japanese CD with two bonus tracks + sticker arrived today.
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Post by andylgr on May 30, 2022 10:29:33 GMT -8
I've only had time to listen to DSH top-to-bottom three times. I like it more with each listen. Don't strongly dislike any of the songs, though I do like Liquid Dust (not fond of the repeating "liquid dust, liquid dust" part) and Unbreakable (the "unbreakable, unshakeable" part annoys me) less than the other songs. Really like Take What You Want, Kick and Fire It Up. Of the remaining tracks, Open Your Eyes is my clear favorite. The musicianship is stellar throughout. Joe's vocals are strong. The backing vocals are amazing. Ronan did a fabulous job gluing it all together. One puzzling aspect.... apparently Rick Allen doesn't play at all on this album. Reading the booklet included with the CD, for every song it says "Ronan McHugh: Drum Programming". The first page of the booklet lists info about where the songs were recorded: Recorded at: Joe's garage, Dublin Ireland; Phil's Sweat Shop, Laguna Hills, CA, USA; Sav's Base, Sheffield, UK; Viv's Guitar Shed, New Hampshire, USA. No mention of Rick Allen recording anything. I think there’s a question mark over the drums on every album except Slang over the last 30 years. I have always assumed they were programmed (like Pyro, Hysteria and Adrenalize) rather than Rick playing in a studio.
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Post by tsmith on May 30, 2022 10:30:08 GMT -8
That's awesome! Really nice to read knowing how much effort and attention to detail went into this album and nice seeing them get some accolades for it! UK sales chart info: "Meanwhile, Def Leppard’s twelfth studio album Diamond Star Halos is on track to give them their first Top 5 album in 26 years. Should it hold on to its Number 4 midweek position, it’ll prove the Sheffield rockers’ highest-charting album since 1996 record Slang (5). "
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Post by quarky on May 30, 2022 11:29:11 GMT -8
I think there’s a question mark over the drums on every album except Slang over the last 30 years. I have always assumed they were programmed (like Pyro, Hysteria and Adrenalize) rather than Rick playing in a studio. I think having real drums is much less important than real guitars in many ways. I am sure Rick still had input in them though!
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Post by CindyJ on May 30, 2022 11:44:56 GMT -8
Japanese CD with two bonus tracks + sticker arrived today. Does your regular Japanese cd (the one on the left) has the bonus tracks? Mine is absolutely same as yours but it is same as the Euro regular cd 🤔🤔 lucaze yes the bonus tracks are there. The back of the actual CD only lists the 15 tracks but the obi lists bonus tracks 16 and 17. The back page of the Japanese booklet also lists the two bonus tracks (mis-numbered as 15 and 16 instead of 16 and 17). The CD itself does include the two bonus tracks. Interesting that the bonus track listing from the Japanese CD says "Drums: Rick Allen".
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Post by lucaze on May 30, 2022 11:47:09 GMT -8
Thank you so much Cindy!!!
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Post by CindyJ on May 30, 2022 11:48:22 GMT -8
Nice. Waiting on my Japan shm deluxe to arrive! Is your colored cover the Japan deluxe CD or the target CD? I had a target deluxe CD but was disappointed the inside booklet cover was the "normal" black and white one. So have ordered the Japan deluxe CD as I think from the unboxing video I saw it should have a colored booklet and thats what I'm mostly after. Although, those shm CDs are pretty nice too and they usually seem to be little better quality but that just might be my imagination lol. Japanese CD with two bonus tracks + sticker arrived today. tsmith the colored cover on the right is just a sticker that came with the Japanese CD.
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Post by deflepp10 on May 30, 2022 12:46:13 GMT -8
Sorry for the stupid questions, but what would U Rok Mi do as a single these days? I mean, I love it but do radio stations only play songs released as singles? Will radio stations in the US play it anyway if a single but not if it isn't? I haven't really listened to the radio for about 20 years, mainly because it is rubbish here, so not sure if "singles" are really the same as they were back then? Streaming services add album tracks anyway so it can be added to auto-curated playlists regardless, so I am genuinely curious what difference it would make after the album has already been released? For My Guitar I wonder if they agreed with Alison to release it anyway (hence it being on the stickers)? Plus, maybe for the (hopeful) cross over appeal? Ive allways felt that (especially after 1999) they released singles to work those songs in to the live concerts, you will get more ears on it live then you will radio (just what the music industry is for our boys n othere of the time periode of there hay day). Even if your casual fans are grabbing a beer, they are going to hear it and it's going to go over great live, you can't not hear that especially when electric guitar n chorus kick. For me I think it would have been awsome to come out with 4 bangers, TWYW,KICK,FIRE,U ROCK MI. To me this Giutar n lifeless will be crossover hits in the country scene they eat this stuff up, to me they had time to release this alittle later. Come out with 4 bangers (that will be excellent live) then drop the crossover ballad, that would keep the momentum going but hitting a completely different audiance and keeping album sales going. I do agree that TAKE WHAT YOU WANT is an instant classic, the fact that a band that's been around 40 plus years can drop something like that brings a huge smile to my face!
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Post by treffo on May 30, 2022 12:52:52 GMT -8
I think there’s a question mark over the drums on every album except Slang over the last 30 years. I have always assumed they were programmed (like Pyro, Hysteria and Adrenalize) rather than Rick playing in a studio. I think having real drums is much less important than real guitars in many ways. I am sure Rick still had input in them though! That might be the understatement of the year! :-)
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Post by quarky on May 30, 2022 13:18:17 GMT -8
Ive allways felt that (especially after 1999) they released singles to work those songs in to the live concert That is a great point. From that angle too, maybe variety on the new singles is good? Three more traditional rock songs is great, but if they can fit a newer song into the slower section too (four new songs!), that could be awesome. Either way, four singles is good.
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Post by edwardcreighton on May 30, 2022 14:09:57 GMT -8
my vinyl bundle just shipped! lucky bought the download.
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Post by kestrel72 on May 30, 2022 14:34:40 GMT -8
I've only had time to listen to DSH top-to-bottom three times. I like it more with each listen. Don't strongly dislike any of the songs, though I do like Liquid Dust (not fond of the repeating "liquid dust, liquid dust" part) and Unbreakable (the "unbreakable, unshakeable" part annoys me) less than the other songs. Really like Take What You Want, Kick and Fire It Up. Of the remaining tracks, Open Your Eyes is my clear favorite. The musicianship is stellar throughout. Joe's vocals are strong. The backing vocals are amazing. Ronan did a fabulous job gluing it all together. One puzzling aspect.... apparently Rick Allen doesn't play at all on this album. Reading the booklet included with the CD, for every song it says "Ronan McHugh: Drum Programming". The first page of the booklet lists info about where the songs were recorded: Recorded at: Joe's garage, Dublin Ireland; Phil's Sweat Shop, Laguna Hills, CA, USA; Sav's Base, Sheffield, UK; Viv's Guitar Shed, New Hampshire, USA. No mention of Rick Allen recording anything. [br I’m concerned about that too. He seems disengaged. He’s very engaged with his wife’s music. Got me some Japanese Def Leppard goodness myself today as well! Kestrel
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Post by cmerritt on May 30, 2022 15:40:30 GMT -8
Well it has to be said, todays delivery has made me a very happy Leppard fan, these vinyls are amazing. My Diamond Star Halos collection is complete.
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staz
Jr. Member
Some said it was the aftermath of the radium bomb, while others told of a final retribution.
Posts: 50
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Post by staz on May 30, 2022 16:41:43 GMT -8
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Post by diva on May 30, 2022 17:51:53 GMT -8
In the rock category, they have 4 albums in the top ten. Dsh is #1.
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Post by Dan on May 30, 2022 18:00:54 GMT -8
Album Review: Def Leppard – Diamond Star Halos One reason (I think), many of us who have taken up this creative venture called blogging into writing music reviews stems from not only in sharing our passion but also expressing the joy that comes when something profound infiltrates our ears. Especially from a band the masses seemingly wrote off decades ago but through dedication, perseverance and love of the craft continues more than 40 years since their debut album. And particulary when a band member describes their new album as “career-defining.” Statements like this often backfire. But not this time. In fact, the (probable) 2022 Album of the Year goes to Def Leppard’s Diamond Star Halos, the band’s 12th, released Friday. Recorded simultaneously over the past two years in three different countries with singer Joe Elliott in Ireland, Rick Savage on bass in England, while guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell and drummer Rick Allen resided in the United States. Hardly unconventional, in fact, Def Leppard embraces everything that worked for them in the last 42 two years, improves on it then welcomes some new ideas that fit in with the realm of Def Leppard. Melodic hard rock but off-signature sounding ballads punctuated by delicious guitar solos along with a definitive degree of complexity that prevents a bit of staleness from settling. The 15-song, hour long Diamond Star Halos follows a natural progression in terms of tone and sound from the overlooked 2015 self-titled release, but Def Leppard also fully steps out of their familiar box in an unprecedented way. Don’t expect instant gratification like the very satisfying Hysteria instead to each their own – as in the songs – so expect some to resonate quickly while others you might naturally dismiss upon first blush. Find classic Def Leppard on the album’s opening track “Take What You Want” an immediate consideration into a (now needing revision) Top 10 Best Def Leppard Songs list, a fired-up rocker on “Kick” and “Slang” like charm on “Fire It Up” to start the album. Die-hard fans will notice Def Leppard sounds immediately dialed in on “SOS Emergency,” “All We Need,” “Gimme a Kiss,” and “Unbreakable” along with a fresh cut in the oddly titled “U Rok Mi” with an immensely catchy bass which eventually carries over to blistering guitar. “Liquid Dust” doesn’t impress – at first – but do expect to eventually sing what is ultimately a generic chorus. The last half of Diamond Star Halos yields more of the band broadening their horizons in sound and scope while bringing along some string arrangements. An interesting effort in the ballad “Goodbye For This Time” which sends Def Leppard into near uncharted territory but despite the exceptional acoustic guitar solo, it ultimately feels a bit clumsy (but just might need more time). Not so though with the grungy “Open Your Eyes” which only sounds like Def Leppard because of Elliott’s vocals. Just listen you’ll know what I mean. Album closer and the longest song “From Here to Eternity” comes straight outta the 70s without sounding like it’s from the 70s. Just listen you’ll know what I mean. The two cuts with country and bluegrass singer Alison Krauss (also linked with Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant) initially deliver mixed results with the bluesy almost country-like ballad “This Guitar” coming out a winner thanks to the great vocal dynamic between Elliott and Krauss. Then after several listens to “Lifeless,” which was hardly DOA, it eventually developed a strong heartbeat. Expect one or both to rank on the country charts. The last of the ballads in “Angels (Can’t Help You Know)” starts off quite slow before dropping the sentiment and allowing the guitars to reign. Def Leppard used the pandemic time off wisely as the band flexed some creative musical muscles without alienating their base or the rest of their catalogue which allows Diamond Star Halos to not only breathe new life into Def Leppard, but also into today’s music which needs some oxygen. However, Def Leppard can’t expect all fans to welcome the entire record, but all fans should expect Def Leppard to welcome a number of the songs off Diamond Star Halos into the forthcoming stadium tour with Motley Crue. Indeed, 2022 is the year of Def Leppard. Grade: A- Source
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Post by DesertSun81 on May 30, 2022 18:19:32 GMT -8
Not really sure what to make of it (if there is anything to even make of it), but it's fascinating looking at the number of views each individual track has received so far on the DL Youtube channel since Friday (I rounded these numbers up and down):
TWYW: 33K KICK: 35K FIRE IT UP: 22K THIS GUITAR: 62K SOS: 44K LD: 40K U ROK MI: 33K GFGTT: 31K ALL WE NEED: 33K OYE: 28K GAK: 30K ANGELS: 30K LIFELESS: 29K UNBREAKABLE: 30K FHTE: 26K
It would be interesting to see some individual streaming info as well.
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Post by Ted Leppard on May 30, 2022 20:59:47 GMT -8
Target in-store for the win! I went to Target on Friday night and they were already sold out of the CD (as were most of the Targets in LA) which is a good sign, but kind of annoying for yours truly. That said, I really wanted the Target edition for the album art the most, so I got the vinyl. I really like the color album art so much better than the regular black and white version.
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Post by cmerritt on May 30, 2022 23:32:04 GMT -8
Not really sure what to make of it (if there is anything to even make of it), but it's fascinating looking at the number of views each individual track has received so far on the DL Youtube channel since Friday (I rounded these numbers up and down): TWYW: 33K KICK: 35K FIRE IT UP: 22K THIS GUITAR: 62K SOS: 44K LD: 40K U ROK MI: 33K GFGTT: 31K ALL WE NEED: 33K OYE: 28K GAK: 30K ANGELS: 30K LIFELESS: 29K UNBREAKABLE: 30K FHTE: 26K It would be interesting to see some individual streaming info as well. Numbers like this would suggest exactly why 'This guitar' will be a single, Leppard don't need to release another rock song after 'Kick', 'Take what you want' and 'Fire it up', but 'This Guitar' will offer them huge exposure to the country audience and heavy play on these radio stations, Alison krauss is bringing her entire audience and the rest of the country fan base to this album being on it twice with interest to at least hear these songs a few times
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Post by quarky on May 31, 2022 0:02:34 GMT -8
Well, on Spotify, This Guitar has more than DOUBLE the listens of almost any song outside the first three.
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Post by cmerritt on May 31, 2022 0:30:18 GMT -8
Well, on Spotify, This Guitar has more than DOUBLE the listens of almost any song outside the first three. It's definitely bringing Alison' audience to the album, nearly 135 thousand plays on spotify and 64 thousand youtube plays. It wil be interesting to see how those numbers do when it's a single.
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Post by tsmith on May 31, 2022 4:57:09 GMT -8
I wonder how much of that is curiosity? I mean, the song has received a ton of publicity in every article or interview they do. I wonder how much is people just wanting to check it out to see what it sounds like? I'm going to do my best to bring up the listens of some of the other songs! For me, This Guitar is easily among my least favorite Leppard songs that they've ever recorded. I do get the crossover appeal of it though and it gets them exposure to a different audience of people which in the grand scheme of things is great for the band. I just hope Country Leppard songs don't become a trend That said though, I'd happily take one or two Country sounding tunes on an album as long as the rest of the album is as good as this one is Well, on Spotify, This Guitar has more than DOUBLE the listens of almost any song outside the first three.
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Post by fna692002 on May 31, 2022 5:28:30 GMT -8
I wonder how much of that is curiosity? I mean, the song has received a ton of publicity in every article or interview they do. I wonder how much is people just wanting to check it out to see what it sounds like? I'm going to do my best to bring up the listens of some of the other songs! For me, This Guitar is easily among my least favorite Leppard songs that they've ever recorded. I do get the crossover appeal of it though and it gets them exposure to a different audience of people which in the grand scheme of things is great for the band. I just hope Country Leppard songs don't become a trend That said though, I'd happily take one or two Country sounding tunes on an album as long as the rest of the album is as good as this one is Well, on Spotify, This Guitar has more than DOUBLE the listens of almost any song outside the first three. I think it’s def a bit of curiosity as well as her fanbase checking it out. I like the song and it’s grown on me a lot. I can see the cross over appeal for sure.i think more casual fans will cling to this before diehards. I saw a comment from someone who liked the song say something along the lines it’s the first song they listened to by the band since HYENSSB… so it’s def got a shot at getting those casuals on board. And here’s hoping they check out the rest of the album as well.
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Post by treffo on May 31, 2022 5:36:07 GMT -8
I wonder how much of that is curiosity? I mean, the song has received a ton of publicity in every article or interview they do. I wonder how much is people just wanting to check it out to see what it sounds like? I'm going to do my best to bring up the listens of some of the other songs! For me, This Guitar is easily among my least favorite Leppard songs that they've ever recorded. I do get the crossover appeal of it though and it gets them exposure to a different audience of people which in the grand scheme of things is great for the band. I just hope Country Leppard songs don't become a trend That said though, I'd happily take one or two Country sounding tunes on an album as long as the rest of the album is as good as this one is I think it’s def a bit of curiosity as well as her fanbase checking it out. I like the song and it’s grown on me a lot. I can see the cross over appeal for sure.i think more casual fans will cling to this before diehards. I saw a comment from someone who liked the song say something along the lines it’s the first song they listened to by the band since HYENSSB… so it’s def got a shot at getting those casuals on board. And here’s hoping they check out the rest of the album as well. "They" don't even seem to check out Lifeless.
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Post by pete on May 31, 2022 5:50:53 GMT -8
I wonder how much of that is curiosity? I mean, the song has received a ton of publicity in every article or interview they do. I wonder how much is people just wanting to check it out to see what it sounds like? I'm going to do my best to bring up the listens of some of the other songs! For me, This Guitar is easily among my least favorite Leppard songs that they've ever recorded. I do get the crossover appeal of it though and it gets them exposure to a different audience of people which in the grand scheme of things is great for the band. I just hope Country Leppard songs don't become a trend That said though, I'd happily take one or two Country sounding tunes on an album as long as the rest of the album is as good as this one is Well, on Spotify, This Guitar has more than DOUBLE the listens of almost any song outside the first three. They already jumped onboard the Country Leppard train with Nine Lives. This is nothing that new really.
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Post by tsmith on May 31, 2022 5:56:31 GMT -8
True. I guess I just don't feel like Nine Lives had as much of a Country vibe to me even though Tim McGraw was involved. Or maybe I've just blanked it out of my mind since I only listen to the Joe version of that song I wonder how much of that is curiosity? I mean, the song has received a ton of publicity in every article or interview they do. I wonder how much is people just wanting to check it out to see what it sounds like? I'm going to do my best to bring up the listens of some of the other songs! For me, This Guitar is easily among my least favorite Leppard songs that they've ever recorded. I do get the crossover appeal of it though and it gets them exposure to a different audience of people which in the grand scheme of things is great for the band. I just hope Country Leppard songs don't become a trend That said though, I'd happily take one or two Country sounding tunes on an album as long as the rest of the album is as good as this one is They already jumped onboard the Country Leppard train with Nine Lives. This is nothing that new really.
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