Favourite Song on Diamond Star Halos

[quarky]

[Armageddonit]

It was really tough. I really love this album but for 5 songs for me its:

-TWYW
-Goodbye For Good This Time
-Unbreakable
-FHTE
-Open Your Eyes

[Dan]

I suspect that if I took the poll again in 30 minutes some selections might change. I don't believe the band can do no wrong but this whole album just works for me.

[diva]

TWYW
Kick
URM
FHTE
LD

[defgriff1]

Unbreakable
Take What You Want
Open Your Eyes
Kick
Liquid Dust

[Jefflep]

My top 5 for DSH would probably be..
TWYW
Gimme a kiss
SOS
U Rok Mi
All we need

[Praet]

TWYW
Open Your Eyes
Kick
Unbreakable
SOS

[dflp83]

Please keep this open for at least another week? 🙂..should give me plenty o spins to makeup my mind..starting today!




Rob

[treffo]

Jun 2, 2022 3:33:26 GMT -8 dflp83 said:

Please keep this open for at least another week? 🙂..should give me plenty o spins to makeup my mind..starting today!

Rob

It will be forever open I guess. :-)

[quarky]

It will lock on June the 15th, so open for two weeks. Thought that gives people a good time to get decent initial impressions, and we can maybe compared it at some point in the future and see if it changes!

[tsmith]

Very interesting to see the results of this.

My five, which I thought were very easy lol, were TWYW, Kick, Fire It Up, SOS and Gimme A Kiss. I'm all about the catchy, melodic rockers. The only tough call for me was probably Unbreakable or Fire It Up but I like Fire It Up a little bit more. However, I'm clearly in the minority on that in looking at the results so far lol.

I also apparently don't like Open Your Eyes quite as much as others. I do like the song a lot, but it would be somewhere in my 6-8 range.

I guess what doesn't surprise me much is seeing the 2 Krauss tunes and the 2 ballads farther down the list. Those songs are all well done and I surely appreciate the musicianship but for me they're just momentum killers and definitely not among my favorites. To be honest, those songs aren't even in my spotify playlist as for me the album flows way better without them.

The one song I sort of continue to debate is From Here to Eternity. I think my struggle is that I dig the lyrics and murder ballad concept of the song. And it's got some decent harmonies with a cool guitar solo. But at the same time it kind of drags a little bit and I don't really care for the whole Queen vibe. So I can't decide if I like it or not lol. I think I have decided I like it more than the Krauss tunes or piano ballads though and it definitely has a "roll the credits" type feel to it as an album closer. So it's in my playlist at the moment

Just a fabulous album though and easy to see why the band was so excited about it!

[DesertSun81]

Here are my (very long winded) thoughts. I have 4 songs that are rather cemented in as my favorites:


TAKE WHAT YOU WANT - Simply put, this is one of the best songs they've ever recorded. The more time goes by, the higher this song goes on the best ever Leppard songs countdown that floats in my head. The intro is sublime and I never want to skip it to get the actual song, and while it can seem reminiscent of the intro to PYROMANIA it doesn't veer at all into derivative territory for me (the high pitched scream as you get into the song is a nice touch as well). The main riff is a juggernaut that is amongst their best and calls back to the early albums. The pre-chorus coming off the verse is a massive hook of classic Leppard melody and harmonies and for me it's up there amongst the likes of ANIMAL/GOW/WL/DS etc. as one of their best ever. The chorus is hard charging and sing along at the same time which is not an easy thing to accomplish. The middle 8 slows everything down with ease while overloading you with harmony before you get hit with the battering ram that is the Viv/Phil combo solo. You conclude with trademark WHOAs that you find out later completely flood this album (in the best way possible). Lyrically speaking, I can't really think of a message better than go work for and take what you want out of life, which is the message I get from this song. Hats off to Sav/Joe for this modern day Leppard masterpiece and I can only hope there's more where it came from. The feedback you see on this song everywhere you look says it all really.

OPEN YOUR EYES - This song is in the same vein of the rockers on SLANG, and hence is right up my alley musically speaking. With that said every album has a song like this (MIRROR MIRROR/DAY AFTER DAY/SCAR/WOAA/etc.) and I'm drawn to them every time. There are not many songs in Leppard's catalog where the bass line gets stuck in my head - the bass in this song replays in my head regularly when I'm not listening to it which makes this song unique for me in that respect. The end of the first chorus where the bass pauses before the second verse is just fantastic. Sav knocked his performance here out of the park and is an example of why this album indeed has the best bass sound of any Leppard album (there are a handful of other examples also). The guitar jangle and the vocal melody around it in the verse is awesome leading into the chorus which is a vocal explosion that's especially accentuated during the final chorus with Joe's repeating of the open your eyes lyrics (which still catches me off guard after a good deal of listens). The middle 8 is dreamy and transcendent in sound followed by this just cool sounding and rather ominous mini solo. While I don't know if the Phil outro solo is his best ever as Joe says I can certainly see why he thinks so as it is rather fantastic and it doesn't necessarily sound like a conventional Phil solo which should've been a bit longer if not for the way too quick fadeout.

ALL WE NEED - This is the majestic/breezy type mid-tempo song that I was hoping it would be before hearing the album. The introduction of each instrument in the beginning is a great touch starting with an early U2/Edge style lick into a solid drum beat followed by Sav's thundering bass and Phil's sustainer intro and is absolutely the type of thing I like to blast out of my car speakers, loud. The verse while a bit subdued checks all the boxes for me with a great delivery/vocal harmony from Joe with melodic guitar licks closely behind. The pre-chorus is a good transition into a great chorus fueled by more fantastic vocal hooks and harmonies. The huge ALL WE NEED Leppard vocals in the middle of the chorus gets me every time. The transition to and post solo (another great solo from Phil) shows off some of the more intricate behind the curtain melodies in the song and gives it additional texture. One of my favorite parts of the entire album is the just sublime post final chorus where all the guitar parts/melodies get to breathe with more trademark Leppard choir level AHHs over the top for almost a full minute. More of their songs need to finish in this fashion versus the quick finishes or fadeouts which sometimes work but often leave you wanting more (which may be the idea however it doesn't always work to the song's benefit). Lyrically speaking it's just a feel good tune. This is possibly the most Def Leppard song on this entire album.

SOS EMERGENCY - While many I think consider this one of the stronger album tracks, I've seen this considered in a few places as a generic/paint by numbers Leppard pop/rock song, and while everyone has their own tastes I think viewing this song in that light does this song a massive injustice. Put this song on any album post HYSTERIA and I would imagine it would rise towards the top of most fans' lists. The verse is once again light and breezy while keeping a high tempo with what I think is a rather clever vocal hook in the verse. The pre-chorus is exactly what I think most Leppard fans want to hear with the soaring vocals that have hallmarks of the PROMISES pre-chorus that builds on the call and response that you get again ten fold in a much higher octane in the chorus. Strong solo followed up with the police siren that I think while maybe a bit predictable adds character to the song. The "rescue me" close out to the song to me just screams for this song to be played in a live setting.

Choosing a fifth song is where things get very open ended for me and shows off how loaded this album is. I can choose a song today, however it will probably be a different song tomorrow and another different one next week. KICK, LIQUID DUST, U ROK MI, GIMME A KISS, ANGELS, UNBREAKABLE and FHTE are all in that conversation. I voted today for FHTE, however I don't doubt that before this poll closes out I may uncheck it and check something else. There is a lot of mixed feedback on that song and I can't put my finger on it myself but the song just works for me. I'm not typically a fan either of the songs that veer into Queen territory which this song definitely has shades of, but again the vocal melodies and harmonies that go along with the guitar parts mesh really well together, and the solos from both Viv and Phil are some of the best on the album (and perhaps some of the best of the entire Phil/Viv era for me).

As an aside, I was not at all expecting UNBREAKABLE to be nearly as high as it is. Last night it was tied with TWYW as the top song on the album which just blew me away. It's a great song but perhaps it's a much better song than I think it is.

On the flipside, I'm disappointed ANGELS is currently sitting at the bottom. The song is too good. The vocal melodies are just awesome, the solo one of my favorites on the album. I feel strongly enough about it that I may put a vote in for it just to get it off the bottom (shout out to the 1 person who voted for this to date).

[defgriff1]

Jun 2, 2022 9:18:30 GMT -8 DesertSun81 said:

Here are my (very long winded) thoughts. I have 4 songs that are rather cemented in as my favorites:


TAKE WHAT YOU WANT - Simply put, this is one of the best songs they've ever recorded. The more time goes by, the higher this song goes on the best ever Leppard songs countdown that floats in my head. The intro is sublime and I never want to skip it to get the actual song, and while it can seem reminiscent of the intro to PYROMANIA it doesn't veer at all into derivative territory for me (the high pitched scream as you get into the song is a nice touch as well). The main riff is a juggernaut that is amongst their best and calls back to the early albums. The pre-chorus coming off the verse is a massive hook of classic Leppard melody and harmonies and for me it's up there amongst the likes of ANIMAL/GOW/WL/DS etc. as one of their best ever. The chorus is hard charging and sing along at the same time which is not an easy thing to accomplish. The middle 8 slows everything down with ease while overloading you with harmony before you get hit with the battering ram that is the Viv/Phil combo solo. You conclude with trademark WHOAs that you find out later completely flood this album (in the best way possible). Lyrically speaking, I can't really think of a message better than go work for and take what you want out of life, which is the message I get from this song. Hats off to Sav/Joe for this modern day Leppard masterpiece and I can only hope there's more where it came from. The feedback you see on this song everywhere you look says it all really.

OPEN YOUR EYES - This song is in the same vein of the rockers on SLANG, and hence is right up my alley musically speaking. With that said every album has a song like this (MIRROR MIRROR/DAY AFTER DAY/SCAR/WOAA/etc.) and I'm drawn to them every time. There are not many songs in Leppard's catalog where the bass line gets stuck in my head - the bass in this song replays in my head regularly when I'm not listening to it which makes this song unique for me in that respect. The end of the first chorus where the bass pauses before the second verse is just fantastic. Sav knocked his performance here out of the park and is an example of why this album indeed has the best bass sound of any Leppard album (there are a handful of other examples also). The guitar jangle and the vocal melody around it in the verse is awesome leading into the chorus which is a vocal explosion that's especially accentuated during the final chorus with Joe's repeating of the open your eyes lyrics (which still catches me off guard after a good deal of listens). The middle 8 is dreamy and transcendent in sound followed by this just cool sounding and rather ominous mini solo. While I don't know if the Phil outro solo is his best ever as Joe says I can certainly see why he thinks so as it is rather fantastic and it doesn't necessarily sound like a conventional Phil solo which should've been a bit longer if not for the way too quick fadeout.

ALL WE NEED - This is the majestic/breezy type mid-tempo song that I was hoping it would be before hearing the album. The introduction of each instrument in the beginning is a great touch starting with an early U2/Edge style lick into a solid drum beat followed by Sav's thundering bass and Phil's sustainer intro and is absolutely the type of thing I like to blast out of my car speakers, loud. The verse while a bit subdued checks all the boxes for me with a great delivery/vocal harmony from Joe with melodic guitar licks closely behind. The pre-chorus is a good transition into a great chorus fueled by more fantastic vocal hooks and harmonies. The huge ALL WE NEED Leppard vocals in the middle of the chorus gets me every time. The transition to and post solo (another great solo from Phil) shows off some of the more intricate behind the curtain melodies in the song and gives it additional texture. One of my favorite parts of the entire album is the just sublime post final chorus where all the guitar parts/melodies get to breathe with more trademark Leppard choir level AHHs over the top for almost a full minute. More of their songs need to finish in this fashion versus the quick finishes or fadeouts which sometimes work but often leave you wanting more (which may be the idea however it doesn't always work to the song's benefit). Lyrically speaking it's just a feel good tune. This is possibly the most Def Leppard song on this entire album.

SOS EMERGENCY - While many I think consider this one of the stronger album tracks, I've seen this considered in a few places as a generic/paint by numbers Leppard pop/rock song, and while everyone has their own tastes I think viewing this song in that light does this song a massive injustice. Put this song on any album post HYSTERIA and I would imagine it would rise towards the top of most fans' lists. The verse is once again light and breezy while keeping a high tempo with what I think is a rather clever vocal hook in the verse. The pre-chorus is exactly what I think most Leppard fans want to hear with the soaring vocals that have hallmarks of the PROMISES pre-chorus that builds on the call and response that you get again ten fold in a much higher octane in the chorus. Strong solo followed up with the police siren that I think while maybe a bit predictable adds character to the song. The "rescue me" close out to the song to me just screams for this song to be played in a live setting.

Choosing a fifth song is where things get very open ended for me and shows off how loaded this album is. I can choose a song today, however it will probably be a different song tomorrow and another different one next week. KICK, LIQUID DUST, U ROK MI, GIMME A KISS, ANGELS, UNBREAKABLE and FHTE are all in that conversation. I voted today for FHTE, however I don't doubt that before this poll closes out I may uncheck it and check something else. There is a lot of mixed feedback on that song and I can't put my finger on it myself but the song just works for me. I'm not typically a fan either of the songs that veer into Queen territory which this song definitely has shades of, but again the vocal melodies and harmonies that go along with the guitar parts mesh really well together, and the solos from both Viv and Phil are some of the best on the album (and perhaps some of the best of the entire Phil/Viv era for me).

As an aside, I was not at all expecting UNBREAKABLE to be nearly as high as it is. Last night it was tied with TWYW as the top song on the album which just blew me away. It's a great song but perhaps it's a much better song than I think it is.

On the flipside, I'm disappointed ANGELS is currently sitting at the bottom. The song is too good. The vocal melodies are just awesome, the solo one of my favorites on the album. I feel strongly enough about it that I may put a vote in for it just to get it off the bottom (shout out to the 1 person who voted for this to date).

I agree with you with Angels. It may be the slow start, but that ending is so well done and gave me goosebumps in my first listen.

Unbreakable is my 2nd fav after TWYW. The beginning reminds me of Wings Of An Angel, and the static sounding verses build up nicely to the chorus.

Also love the drums & Viv's Solo to this one.

The quick snare rolls pre chorus and when he hits the crash cymbal at the beginning of "Just look at these chains" & "Tied up and insane", it just hits adds energy to the song IMO.

[Pippa73]

Well the 4 rated worst songs are not really a shock are they? Message to the band you can evolve in the wrong direction.

[jdwalker]

- Take What You Want
- SOS Emergency
- U Rok Mi
- From Here To Eternity
- Kick

I'm a bit surprised with the love 'Unbreakable' is getting. I certainly don't dislike it, but feel that its a bit disjointed and the ideas don't blend together all that well. The verse and chorus feel like two completely separate songs to me.

[TurnToDust86]

Really enjoying the album but it was still quite easy to pick five. Not sure what that says about it just yet..

- Take What You Want
- All We Need
- Open Your Eyes
- Gimme A Kiss That Rocks
- From Here To Eternity

[Dan]

Jun 3, 2022 3:42:37 GMT -8 Pippa73 said:

Well the 4 rated worst songs are not really a shock are they? Message to the band you can evolve in the wrong direction.

There is a difference between a low rating and actual dislike. I'd be bored if there was no variety on albums. Luckily DSH has something for everyone.

[DesertSun81]

For reference, after 40 voters in, here is the current forum ranking of the songs on the album:

TAKE WHAT YOU WANT
UNBREAKABLE
OPEN YOUR EYES
KICK
SOS EMERGENCY
U ROK MI
GIMME A KISS THAT ROCKS
FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
ALL WE NEED
FIRE IT UP
LIQUID DUST
LIFELESS
GOODBYE FOR GOOD THIS TIME
ANGELS
THIS GUITAR

[quarky]

So difficult to choose, but went:

Liquid Dust
U Rok Mi
Goodbye for Good This Time
Open Your Eyes
Unbreakable

But some other songs like Lifeless, TWYW (obviously), Gimme a Kiss, and Kick are so hard to leave off.

[sue94449762]

Take What You Want
This Guitar
Open Your Eyes
Unbreakable
From Here to Eternity

[treffo]

To me there's two songs that need more listens than others to be able to judge. Those songs are "From here to Eternity" and "Angels". They are longer than the other songs. But they're not longer for the sake of being longer, there's actually more to them (in good old DL style) so to speak. It's not the same old pop song structure that songs sometimes suffer from.

Two great compositions by Sav and Joe, that should get more love imo.

[tsmith]

I'd agree with this, especially with FHTE.

I didn't care for that song much at first but it's really grown on me. It's still not among my favorites but it went from being a song I was skipping early on to enjoying now. It's really a different kind of song for them and almost feels like a movie wrapped up into a song. Definitely an interesting listen.

For Angels, I almost think the song gets hurt a little bit on the album because there's another similar track a couple tunes earlier with GFGTT. I mean, I know that was my reaction when I first listened and I'm like "Another piano song?". I think it probably gets overshadowed a bit on the album so you're probably right that it requires more listens. I personally don't dislike the 2 piano ballads as both are well done songs with fantastic musicianship. But they don't excite me at all either and have been skipping them. I'm more of a power ballad guy and wish one of those songs would've exploded a bit into say something like a November Rain by Guns N Roses for example.

Jun 7, 2022 1:17:02 GMT -8 treffo said:

To me there's two songs that need more listens than others to be able to judge. Those songs are "From here to Eternity" and "Angels". They are longer than the other songs. But they're not longer for the sake of being longer, there's actually more to them (in good old DL style) so to speak. It's not the same old pop song structure that songs sometimes suffer from.

Two great compositions by Sav and Joe, that should get more love imo.

[Dan]

I'd love to see Gimme A Kiss That Rocks live. It's just a natural party song in my opinion.

[tsmith]

Agree.

It's kind of like an Armageddon It combined with Sugar type song that I think would go over really well live.

Personally, it's my highlight of the second half of the album followed by Unbreakable.

Jun 7, 2022 6:20:04 GMT -8 Dan said:

I'd love to see Gimme A Kiss That Rocks live. It's just a natural party song in my opinion.

[dflp83]

This album will take TIME with me..lol

But Unbreakable..once the chorus hits..it's over for me :-(.. sounds like another Wings of Angel but then the guitars/drums come in and it's over for me. Shame too.


From Here to Eternity..wow!




Rob

[Jefflep]

Yeeeeah, I was ok til that chorus hit 😳😬Oh dear.
I realize after each listen it’s not going to change lol.

Jun 8, 2022 8:40:20 GMT -8 dflp83 said:

This album will take TIME with me..lol

But Unbreakable..once the chorus hits..it's over for me :-(.. sounds like another Wings of Angel but then the guitars/drums come in and it's over for me. Shame too.


From Here to Eternity..wow!




Rob

[tsmith]

I like the song but it's definitely not among my top 5 and have to say it surprises me seeing it with the second most votes in this poll.

What holds me back from really falling for it is just the poppy vibe that kicks into it and the chorus. I wish they would've found a way to keep it as a heavier, edgier tune as that's what I kind of find myself wanting after the intro to the song.

Still like it though and it's an interesting song. It almost has like 3 different styles in it or something and it's kind of a nice little adventure listening to it.

Enjoy it and not skipping it....But it's more in the middle of the pack of the album for me.

Jun 8, 2022 9:01:24 GMT -8 Jefflep said:

Yeeeeah, I was ok til that chorus hit 😳😬Oh dear.
I realize after each listen it’s not going to change lol.

Jun 8, 2022 8:40:20 GMT -8 dflp83 said:

This album will take TIME with me..lol

But Unbreakable..once the chorus hits..it's over for me :-(.. sounds like another Wings of Angel but then the guitars/drums come in and it's over for me. Shame too.


From Here to Eternity..wow!




Rob

[treffo]

Not long until the poll closes...

[wessa]

Take What You Want/ Kick/ Fire It Up

[bella308]

I absolutely LOVE the entire album.