I like listening to the album that came right before an artist’s landmark work. Like The Police’s Ghost in the Machine, covered earlier this week, which preceded Synchronicity. Or Fleetwood Mac, a smash in its own right, but one that lives in the shadow of its follow-up, Rumours.
Everybody knows Def Leppard’s 1983 megahit Pyromania, and 1987’s Hysteria, which pretty much matched it in sales, but you don’t hear much about 1981’s High ‘N’ Dry. At least I haven’t.
Hard rock isn’t my genre, but there is a muscular appeal to this album I can’t resist. Once in awhile I’ll throw on a little Def Leppard, AC/DC or Van Halen — guitar bands that don’t sacrifice melody for noise — and appreciate the high-volume artistry. Hell, today’s song, the album’s biggest single, had enough crossover appeal that it was covered by Mariah Carey.
A broken rose with laughin’ eyes
You’re a mystery, always runnin’ wild
Like a child without a home
You’re always searchin’, searchin’ for a feeling
But it’s easy come and easy go
Oh I’m sorry but it’s true
You’re bringin’ on the heartache
Takin’ all the best if me, oh can’t you see?
You got the best of me, oh can’t you see?
You’re bringin’ on the heartbreak
Bringin’ on the heartache
You’re bringin’ on the heartbreak
Bringin’ on the heartache
Can’t you see?
You’re such a secret, misty eyes and shady
Lady how you hold the key
Oh you’re like a candle, your flame slowly fadin’
Burnin’ out and burnin’ me
Can’t you see, just tryin’ to say to you
You’re bringin’ on the heartache
Takin’ all the best of me, oh can’t you see?
You got the best of me, oh can’t you see?
You’re bringin’ on the heartbreak
Bringin’ on the heartache
You’re bringin’ on the heartbreak
Bringin’ on the heartache
Can’t you see, Can’t you see
No! No! No!
You got the best of me, oh can’t you see?
You got the best of me, oh can’t you see?
You’re bringin’ on the heartbreak
Bringin’ on the heartache
You’re bringin’ on the heartbreak
Bringin’ on the heartache
You’re bringin’ on the heartbreak
Bringinn’ on the heartache
You’re bringin’ on the heartbreak
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’d never heard the Mariah Carey version of this song before. Kinda cool.
Of the more melodic hard rock bands during this era, I was a far bigger fan of Van Halen and, to a lesser extent, AC/DC and Bon Jovi, than I was of Def Leppard. I was, however, always fascinated by their one armed drummer.