Def Leppard - High 'N' Dry

Released in 1981

Hot off the success of their debut album, Def Leppard released High 'N' Dry just one year later. Although it still contained the heavier feel of its predecessor, this sophomore release took a huge step towards developing their undeniably irresistible, melodic brand of hair metal.

Gone are the psychedelic 70's vibes that clung to their first album, and polished up a bit are the poor production values. This release was left in the hands of producer Mutt Lange (Foreigner, AC/DC), and the leap in quality due to the inclusion of an accomplished producer served the band well.

Some of the highlights on High 'N' Dry are:

• Let It Go – This rocking anthem starts the album off with a bang. The hypnotizing riffs, rhythms and choruses beckon most listeners to let all their exhibitions go.
• Bringin' on the Heartbreak – Def Leppard releases their first dark power ballad, which unsurprisingly was their greatest hit on the album.
• Mirror, Mirror (Look into my Eyes) – This hard rocking track masterfully interweaves aggression, melody and layered choruses to create possibly the best song on the album. This song alone is worth the price of admission.

Many hair metal and Def Leppard fans have forgotten about High 'N' Dry, and perhaps this is to be expected. It wasn't until their third album, Pyromania, that the band firmly established itself as a commercial success and made the world take notice.

On the other hand, there is a smaller following of Def Leppard fans that believe this to be their best album of all time, possessing the harder metal sound of their debut album while also adding a healthy injection of commercial appeal and polish that would later culminate in Pyromania and beyond.

While I personally enjoyed their ultra-melodic and polished metal that was so masterfully displayed on albums like Hysteria, there is no doubt that High 'N' Dry is a metal gem with some standout tracks essential for any 80's rock and metal fan.

Rating: 7 stars

Track List Let It Go Another Hit and Run High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night) Bringin' on the Heartbreak Switch 625 You Got Me Runnin' Lady Strange On Through the Night Mirror, Mirror (Look Into My Eyes) No, No, No

Additional Resources

• On Through the Night Review
• Pyromania Review
• Hysteria Review

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