Def Leppard – ‘High & Dry’ (1981) – Album Review (the Def Leppard Collection Series)

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While touring in support of their debut album, ‘On Through the Night’, Def Leppard opened for one of the biggest bands at the time, AC/DC. Famed producer, Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who produced AC/DC’s massive album “Back in Black”, took notice of the band and he was very impressed. So much so, he agreed to be their producer for the band’s sophomore album ‘High ‘N’ Dry’. A move that would change the course of history for this band and catapult them in to the stratosphere of rock stardom. But first, they had to do an album and this album saw the band head to a more melodic phase, however, the edge and rawness of the debut was still present.

The songwriting was more refined, everything seemed more purposefully composed, it was cleaner yet it was still powerful, engaging and after over 40 years with it, it is one of the best rock & roll albums of all time. Well…it is for me. The band, who was Joe Elliott, Steve Clark, Rick Savage, Rick Allen and Pete Willis, recorded the album between March and June of 1981 and it was released a very short time later on July 11, 1981. A short 16 months after the debut. Man, if they could’ve only kept that pace of releases, how much could they have released over the years. The album would go to #38 in the U.S. and #26 in the UK. Not a massive success, but enough of one thanks to the ballad “Brinin’ on the Heartbreak” which saw massive airplay on MTV, that the band was setup nicely for the next album.

Their third album ‘Pyromania’ was so big, so successful and so amazing, that ‘High ‘N’ Dry’ was re-released in 1984 with 2 additional tracks. One was a re-mix of “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” which added synthesizers and piano overdubs to make it sound more like what was done on ‘Pyromania’. The other track was “Me & My Wine” which was the B-Side of the original release of “Bringin On the Heartbreak”. It too was re-mixed for a more modern sound. This re-release helped sell more albums which has since seen the album go double platinum. They even did new videos for it with Phil Collen on guitar who was not on this album at all as Pete Willis was at the time. The copy we are reviewing today is the original release without the 2 new tracks, the way it should be heard. Let’s get to it.

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Motley Crue – “Wild Side” – 7″ Single

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“The Wild Side” by Motley Crue is off the band’s 1987 album ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ which went to #2 on the Billboard charts and saw three singles including this one. It sold well over 4 million albums in the U.S. alone and saw the band reach another level of success.

The song “Wild Side” was written by Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee. It was inspired by a school girl who Nikki had asked to recite the Lord’s Prayer and why he asked her to do it, we have no idea. He thought about what she said and thought, damn that’s cool so he incorporated some of the prayer in to the lyrics like below…

“Our father
Who ain’t in heaven
Be thy name on the wild side”

The song is about the dirty side of the Strip with all the drugs, pimping, and many other abuses going on at that time in their lives.  Heck, even Nikki wrote when he was severely hooked on Heroin so it was a time of debauchery. It is a reflection of the band’s sin on the seedy side of rock & roll and about their life in L.A. These were the bad boys of rock & roll for sure.

The version of the single I have is the standard U.S. Version with the B-Side being “Five Years Dead” also from ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’. Nothing special about it and it is even a promo, just the basic single. I love collecting the picture sleeve singles from the 80’s so that is why I have it as I already have these songs elsewhere.

A-SIDE:

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Bon Jovi – ‘Cross Road’ (1994) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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After the release of their last album ‘Keep the Faith’ in 1992, the band set out on an extensive worldwide tour. They hit 37 countries while performing over 177 shows and those shows saw reached over 2.5 million people. The boys were busy and as a result of this tour, very tired. They also needed more time to work on their next album. To hold fans over, a greatest hits compilation was released by the band and the label. The album came out on October 11, 1994 and contained songs from every album including 1 from Jon’s solo album and 2 unreleased tracks. The U.S. version got a special track of Livin’ on a Prayer which had been redone and called “Prayer ’94”, however, my vinyl set of the album does not have that song.

The album was titled ‘Cross Road’ which is possible that was where the band saw themselves at. The music landscape was changing rapidly, their 80’s rock glam style was no longer popular, yet this band kept on chugging. ‘Cross Road’ sold went to #8 in the U.S. and #1 in so many country. Worldwide they sold over 21,000,000 copies as Bon Jovi was even bigger around the world than at home. The cover art was taken at a diner called the Roadside Diner and it was near the crossroads of Rout 33 and Route 34 so it was a very appropriate cover.

The one strange thing about the album was inside they had a picture of all the band’s albums including Jon’s solo album and even Richie’s solo album, but no song from Richie’s album made the set yet Jon’s did. Another prime example this was Jon’s band and even the back cover only had Jon on it. A picture says a 1,000 words I believe is the saying.

The compilation kicks off with one of their most popular songs, “Livin’ On A Prayer” off the album ‘Slippery When Wet’. It opens with a wicked bass line, finger cymbals and a talk-box. But that wasn’t all that was great about it, it is the story of Tommy & Gina in “Livin’ on a Prayer” that makes this such a great song. Jon has a way of making the songs human and easy to connect with. The everyday person with problems just like you so the songs feel personal.  The song is loosely based on Desmond and his girl-friend as she worked in a Diner, but he was a taxi driver and not working at the docks.  It was that Blue Collar feel to the song that made it resonate with so many people.  It was a time when Bon Jovi actually wrote songs that told a story that connected with people and not try to write just to make a hit. The funny thing about this one is that Jon didn’t like it, but Richie was able to convince Jon that this was a hit and it should be on the album. Thankfully for the band, it was as it went to #1 as well. Hugh McDonald who is currently the bass player for Bon Jovi in 2023, was the bass player on this song back in 1986.

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My Sunday Song – “Satisfied” by Sammy Hagar

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For My Sunday Song #381, we are kicking off another 10 song set and this time around Tim Durling from Tim’s Vinyl Confessions is picking the songs. Go check out his YouTube channel for some great content, you won’t be disappointed. Like Deke before him, Tim had a theme. He picked songs that are rare non-album tracks and B-Sides and we are kicking it off with the song “Satisfied” by Sammy Hagar. The song is leftover from the 1981 ‘Standing Hampton’ recording session and was released as a B-Side for the song “I’ll Fall in Love Again” and I believe on the song “Heavy Metal” as well.

The song was written by Sammy Hagar and basically it seems to be what the title says. He’s satisfied with his woman who I believe he is keeping satisfied as well since he is an “All Night Man”. Not much deeper than that and does it really need to be. This is early 80’s rock and it is all about having a good time and there is nothing wrong with that.

The song is an absolute beast and it is hard to believe this was left off the album. I believe he had about 20 songs left over in some form or fashion from the ‘Standing Hampton’ sessions. The song is a pure rocker and it speeds through with some racing guitar riffs and a cocky Sammy spitting out the vocals. The solo is more reserved and mixed with some cool bass licks, then the solo gets more riveting and fast before Sammy comes soaring back in. The ending rocks too with a some bombastically paced out slams of the drums and Sammy grunts / screams. I guess this would be the climax of the song…ooh, I can’t believe I went there…but I did because he’s “Satisfied”.

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GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

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Episode 37:  Snow & Tell with Mike, Harrison, Rob, John & Tim!

A full house tonight for some show & tell…or “Snow & Tell” as we like to call it when John T. Snow is in the house!  We also have Tim Durling (Unspooled: An Adventure in 8 Tracks) and Robert Daniels (Visions in Sound) joining us for what should be a fun hour.  What will we see?

  • New arrivals?  Check
  • Physical music?  Check
  • Head shaving stunts?  No!

As usual we will have an Ask Harrison question, lots of stories, and lots of laughs.  Join us live so you can take part.

LIVE Friday Oct 6 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

Friday New Releases – October 6, 2023

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Hold on your hat as this week we have over 60 New Releases and I’m excited. There are couple of Box Sets I’m realy excited about with The Darkness giving us a 20th Anniversary Edition of their debut album ‘Permission to Land’ with a 5 disc set. Also, Van Halen is releases The Collection Volume II which consists of all the Sammy Hagar albums on Vinyl and a bonus LP as well. I am missing the final two albums and the bonus disc will be nice so I have that on order as well. I’m also eager to hear the new Ida Mae album and Keanu Reeves Dogstar. Check out all the releases as I am sure there is something for everyone this week. Let me know what you want to hear or what we may have missed. As always, Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

  • The Darkness – Permission to Land…Again (20th Anniversary Edition) – (Warner Music)
  • Van Halen – The Collection II – (Rhino / Warner)
  • Ida Mae – Thunder Above You – (Vow Road Records)
  • B1F+IoXNICL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Dogstar – Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees – (Dillon Street Records)
  • 719eUqb1UPL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Colbie Caillat – Along the Way – (Blue Jean Baby Records)
  • Darius Rucker – Carolyn’s Boy – (Capitol Records Nashville / UMG)
  • A1c-E+ZKGRL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Rick Astley – Are We There Yet? – (5050 Media House / BMG Rights Mgmt)
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Def Leppard – ‘When the Walls Came Tumbling Down (April 26, 1980)’ (2020) – Album Review (The Def Leppard Collection Series)

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Def Leppard never wanted to release live albums. At least that is what I remember them saying years and years ago. Was it something like “a band only releases live albums when they’ve run out of ideas”. Don’t quote me on that, that is something I swear I heard them say a very long time ago. And for 31 years, Def Leppard never officially released a live album. A live video, yes. But never an album until around 2011 with ‘Mirrorball’. And it would be another 9 years before we ever got a live show from their Early Years! But thanks to the box set ‘The Early Years’, we finally had a live show from 1980. It doesn’t get much earlier than that for them. It was recorded at New Theatre in Oxford on April 26, 1980. The show is completely unedited and as is (so they say) and I would believe it.

But it wasn’t my first early show of Def Leppard. I have a bootleg from a show at BBC’s Paris Theatre, London, England, 22nd August 1979 and some recorded at the Reading Festival, Reading, England, 24th August 1980 and it was called “Live at the Top”. That was my first taste of early Lep and what a taste it was. This show is even better and sees a hungry, raw Def Leppard giving it their all. There are four historical pieces on here as we get a liver version of Good Morning Freedom which the band had never released, an early version of Lady Strange from an album that hadn’t come out yet and two songs that would wind up completely different when they were finally released on two different albums. The show was first released in that box set, then they decided to release a vinyl of the show as well which I have both versions as you can see in the last picture.

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Cheap Trick – ‘Love to Rock’ (1988) – Album Review (the Cheap Trick Collection Series)

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Back in the 80’s, record companies would put out compilations on cassette only. They weren’t really official band releases, but the labels did it anyway. While I was at a record show, I found this tape by Cheap Trick that I had never seen before. It was a CBS Special Product and it was only available on cassette. It is called “Love to Rock” and it is a short compilation of Cheap Trick songs from 1977 up to the 80’s. This was released back in 1988 and I am sure was to capitalize on the band’s new popularity with their new hit “The Flame”, which isn’t on here by the way.

For fun, let’s go through the track list and see what they gave us. Not a bade tracklist, but might not be one I would’ve chosen, but what I do know, I’m not a suit at a record company that has no idea what the buying public really wants.

Side One kicks off with “I Want You To Want Me” from the 1977 album ‘In Color’. The first single and one of their most well-known songs is up next. “I Want You To Want Me” did nothing as a single and didn’t chart, not until it was released as a single off Budokan and we will talk about that in a couple reviews. This version doesn’t have the energy as the live version, but doesn’t mean it isn’t good. The song is a real treat as it is so playful and a finger-snapping good time. There is a some cool guitar picking with almost a country twang and a piano interlude that is fast and frenzied. The song might like the power of the live version, but you can’t deny its whimsical stylings.

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Bon Jovi – “I Believe” (1993) – 7″ Single (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

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The first track on the album, ‘Keep the Faith’ was “I Believe” which was also the fifth single and released in the UK Where it went to #11. The song was written solely by Jon Bon Jovi and was released on September 20, 1993. The single is not the album track, but the single mix down by Bob Clearmountain thus the name Clearmountain Mix. The B-Side of this UK version of the single is a live version of the song. So, both versions on here are not really album tracks.

The song is about hope. Believing in yourself to fulfill your hopes and dreams. The main protagonist is disillusioned by the world, but yet they still have things they want to do and accomplish. They need to look from within to find the power to still believe in themselves. A pretty great, positive message. Jon really pushes himself on this song and album to be a better songwriter and I think he succeeds.

SIDE 1:

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My Sunday Song – “Long Way to Neverland” by Headstones

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For My Sunday Song #380, we are to the final song of 10 song set of Deke’s Choices. This time around we are tackling “Long Way to Neverland” by Headstones. Headstones are yet another Canadian band out of Kingston and they have a major punk influence. The song is off their 2013 album ‘Love + Fury’ and was written by the band. The song was the 2nd single off the album and went to #6 on the Canadian Rock/Alt chart.

The song was written by the band which consist of Hugh Dillon, Trent Carr, Tim White and Dale Harrison. The lyrics to “Long Way to Neverland” are rather confusing to me. The lyrics are introspective while at the same time it is giving you the power. Basically, I get out of it that it wants to give you the power to be yourself, to stay true to oneself. Don’t give in to pressures by either your peers or by society. Remain strong when confronted by those that don’t agree with you. “To Thine Own Self Be True” or something like that. But I could be way off base here because he also is sitting there getting stoned and just ignoring everything.

There is a Lou Reed vibe to the opening as lead singer, Hugh Dillon, speaks it more in that Lou Reed style. It is really cool. The guitars have a grunge edge to them and the harmonica really adds a punch to it. The song has a ton of attitude and bite and I am really digging the dangerous feel to it. A band I had never heard of before this, but damn I’m glad I know it now. In under 3 minutes waste no time in making you feel it and want to re-live the experience over and over. A brilliant piece of music.

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