Ipswich, England - Media Reviews

HIGH 'N' DRY here from success over there? By Mike Nicholls

The Brits are notorious for their attitude towards achievement and flogging 300,000 albums in the USA hasn't helped Def Leppard's popularity at home. Maybe their harmonious metal does sound more American than English but I could never have sworn Zeppelin and Queen were around before Boston and Foreigner.

It might be premature to mention these Sheffield stripplings in the same breath but try telling them that. Modesty has never been their selling point and its absence is one of their most endearing features.

Joe Elliott struts around the stage like the archetypal rock 'n' roll icon but his voice has matured no end and is worthy of the attention of more than the one-third capacity crowd that bothered to turn up. Similarly both guitarists and the rhythm section hit harder, it being no coincidence that the group share the same manager and producer as AC/DC.

This is reflected in the majority of the 'High 'N' Dry' songs which show a marked departure from the first album.

'Lady Strange' and 'Mirror Mirror' boast the kind of lyrics one might associate with a singer who reckons Spandau Ballet are the most appalling band he's ever heard, whilst another stand out is 'Another Hit and Run'.

The latter contains more of that familiar sex and drugs and rock etc imagery we've all come to know and love and though just a little cliched, the enjoyment with which it's delivered would make Mary Whitehouse salivate.

I doubt if she'd be too amused by the volume but this is 'eadbangin' stuff after all. Of course, Maiden, Saxon and Samson fans may beg to differ but should bear one thing in mind. With the average Leppard barely out of his teens, they've got 10 years age advantage over such heavyweight rivals. How long before 'High 'N' Dry' becomes 'Home 'N' Dry'?

By Record Mirror 1981.

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