REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: January 28, 2023

DEF LEPPARD – Diamond Star Halos

This is the twelfth album from Sheffield’s finest purveyors of all things rock, and I would say it’s the closest sounding (influence-wise) to the bands that they have cited as inspiration for them to start a band in the first place. There is a very strong 70’s vibe to the majority of the album, and could this be the closest the band have come to being themselves? Even the album title is a reference to T.Rex. They made millions and sold squillions in their golden Pyromania and Hysteria period, but they were criticized constantly for being a producers plaything.  

All the trademark Leppard sounds are here, the big harmonies, the catchy hooks, and big sing-a-long choruses, but this time it’s just a band being themselves. My favourite track is opener Take What You Want, a kick-ass tune that just gets stuck in your head, as all the best songs do. A close second is U Rok Mi, with the Indian-inspired opening rhythmic groove, to the big arena rock chorus.

This album is an example of a band getting more comfortable with who they really are.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

THE BOOM BAND – s/t

Now, I’m sure not many of you are familiar with The Boom Band. They are a selection of some of Britain’s finest blues musicians (including an ex-England cricketer). These include Jon Amor, Marcus Bonfanti, Matt Taylor, Paddy Milner, and Mark Butcher.

This self financed album came out in 2014 and contains ten tunes that the band have worked together playing live. My personal favourites are Diamonds In The Rough a great little tune with a killer swing and groove, Under The Skin a Mark Butcher tune with an R’n’B vibe straight out of the Deep South, and the best track on the album The Claptonesque Favour Bank Shuffle.

It’s a shame that bands like this don’t get picked up by labels, but then again they maybe get more money doing it this way.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.