REVIEW: Def Leppard – “Just Like 73″ (7” single)

DEF LEPPARD – “Just Like 73” (7″ Mercury single)

This is Def Leppard’s first 7″ single in 30 years – since “Action” in 1994!

I’m bored of Def Leppard’s glam throwback songs.  I know that seems hypocritical, given that many of their biggest hits (“Pour Some Sugar On Me”) are basically that.  “Just Like 73″ is their latest single, a standalone without an album, issued on various coloured 7” singles this year.  While we applaud Leppard for releasing new music on a physical format, the song is not one of their greatest to date.

The coolest aspect of “Just Like 73” is the surprising guitar solo by Tom Morello.  Rage Against the Machine and Def Leppard were diametrically opposed in 1993, but I suppose back in ’73, those guys were listening to a lot of the same records.  On the B-side is a version without Mr. Morello, which is valuable to the collector, but the song is lesser without him.

Sometimes Def Leppard seem bent upon recreating their past, and not always hitting that mark.  “Just Like 73” pushes those big “Hey!” vocals that are so commonly associated with Leppard.  It has the Gary Glitter kind of beats that they are so fond of.  Really, the only thing new here for Def Leppard is that Morello squonk all over the A-side.  That’s a great mix and they should collaborate further.

3/5 stars

25 comments

  3. I like this one. I am really in to the glam rock right now so I am okay with the sound. Heck, I’ve been immersed in Cybernauts and Down N Outz recently for the Lep series so perfect timing for me. I am thrilled we got a physical product and for some reason I had to have both copies.

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  4. I think it’s a good stadium rocker and I enjoy the backing vocals. I’m just glad we’re getting new music from the band! However, I will say, the music video is horrendous and the young animated Rick Allen with two arms makes me nauseous.

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      1. I can see both ends of the spectrum. I’m not really into the whole glam rock scene either, but I can get behind some of Def Leppard’s recent stuff. With Vivian in their corner though, they really should write more rocking bangers. He even said on their most recent tour vlog that he likes playing the ‘Pyromania’ stuff because he gets to play more riff-oriented stuff.

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        2. Yes, Phil and even Sav said they’re working on a new studio album. I’m not getting my hopes up though because I think ‘Diamond Star Halos’ was a major bust. I just want them to prove me wrong! It feels wrong of me to say that about my favorite band, but I’m not going say that everything they do is great when that’s not true.

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        3. It WAS a bust. I never got around to reviewing it. It’s not a great album. Of all the bands that are still successful today, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi have the worst track records for new albums.

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        4. I can see why you would think that. To be honest, I think Def Leppard have been in a rut since Steve died and just went in this pop nonsense route. It seems like all they care about is pleasing the commercial crowd, which is a shame. I’m guessing you’re not a fan of Bon Jovi’s ‘Forever’ then?

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        6. Oh yeah, ‘Forever’ is the new album. I think what’s even more stupid are the black and white album covers since ‘This House is Not For Sale.’ Now, that I think is a stupid album title!

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