Album O' The Week : Black Ice from AC/DC

We talk alot around here about how our metal is disrespected by fans and critics. And we're absolutely right. No genre of music gets a badder rap than metal. Hell, even rap gets a better rap. We can't do anything about that I guess (and I'm tired and not interested in trying anymore, to be honest) but we can do something about giving a tip of the hat to the bands that still sell out arenas, carry the flag of metal/hard rock, and still make our brand of music. Nobody fits this bill more in my eyes than AC/DC.

I know, I know. It isn't everyone's cup is it? Three power chords, snarling vocals, and the 'ol rock and roll sis boom crack! There isn't any Priest like broodiness, any Maiden like academia, or Motley Crue like scuzziness. While I admit that there is a formula to AC/DC's music (i.e. if you like one AC/DC record you like them all, and if you hate one AC/DC you're probably s.o.l. on liking the band in general) it's a formula I don't think gets enough credit.

Black Ice is AC/DC's 15th album, and it is their first in 8 years. Never in the long history of the band has there been so long between studio albums. Brendan O' Brien (a man in high demand : Springsteen, Pearl Jam, etc.) produced it, and upon listening to it this morning, I will say it's more groovy than any Acca Dacca album I've ever listened to. And I've heard 'em all Angels. Angus's rhythm guitar seems to push the songs on this record more than pounding drums and bass, and it gives it a little jingly jangly feel on most of the tracks. Kinda like a Yardbirds on steroids, if you will.

Brian Johnson hasn't seem to have lost a step in his throat busting deliveries either. The man may be the best plan B in the history of rock and roll. He may not have the swagger or stage persona of Bon Scott, but think about this Angels....If he hadn't of come on and filled in so admirably and soundly, AC/DC might not be the juggernaut they are today. That's the truth in my eyes folks, like it or not. He also SINGS on this album much more than any other album since...well...ever. He seems to fit the new groovy AC/DC quite nicely, thank you very much. And you can tell in his voice...he's having a real good time.

As for Malcolm, Cliff, and Phil. Well, let's face it, they could do this in their sleep. They are as good as any rhythm section this side of the Rolling Stones, and may be the overlooked cornerstone in this overlooked band.

Right now, the single Rock and Roll Train, may be my favorite on the disc, but Fire is a great one as well. It's classic Acca Dacca meets Slade meets Zeppelin. Very good stuff. Decibel is thick, fat, dark and groovy. It's almost danceable. There are a lot of tracks on this record, and I won't get into them all, but it's worth it to sift through each one. There is something here for everyone.

They are selling Black Ice exclusively at Wal Mart--it's a subject for another post at another time--and so far it looks like Wal Mart has done a great job of promotion and are really backing the band and the album. Good for them. We can say a gazillion things, good and bad, about Wal Mart. Like I said, it's a topic for another day. The CD can be purchased alone, or with a special 30 page booklet with stories and photos for an additional charge.

Now, back to the beginning of my very long post. AC/DC is overlooked? Hall of Fame, trilligazillipermillion albums sold across the globe, sold out tours, household name AC/DC is overlooked? Yep. Why you ask? Because albums like Black Ice keep coming, whether rap is the rage or pop is the rage or fucking disco is the rage. This album has got some stiff competition in the metal/hard rock genre this year (Metallica, Tesla, Priest, Def Lep, Crue) but don't count them out. This album is an instant classic......as if we expect anything less. Oh yeah..our buddy Jim was nice enough to put the album up on his homepage. Check it out right here.

Black Ice tracklisting:

Rock 'n Roll Train
Skies on Fire
Big Jack
Anything Goes
War Machine
Smash 'n Grab
Spoilin' for a Fight
Wheels
Decibel
Stormy May Day
She Likes Rock 'n Roll
Money Made
Rock 'n Roll Dream
Rocking All the Way
Black Ice

Tags: ac/dc, black ice

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Allen on October 23, 2008 at 5:31pm: I've been a fan of AC/DC for what seems like forever in one thought and like yesterday in another. Like Big-Robbo said, you either love 'em or you hate 'em. There ain't no in between angels!! I am sure there are plenty of people out there who despise the quartet from Australia. For those of you, there is no denying one thing: For a band to be crankin' out the decibels of pure rock and roll heaven as long as these fellas have is a testament to their popularity and their abilities as a group of musicians. On another note, I remember reading somewhere a while back that someone was bitching to Angus that their most recent album sounded just like the last one. To which Angus proudly exclaimed, "That's where you're wrong. Our latest album sounds just like ALL of our previous albums!!" Why fix something that isn't broke? Congratulations to AC/DC. I salute you and also those about to rock.......; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by KISSmaniac on October 23, 2008 at 6:07pm: Well I've listened to the whole thing now.....love it! Great AC/DC album! One thing I love about this band as others stated is that when you buy an ac/dc album you know what your gonna get, they deliver the goods! I love these guys, just good straight forward fun rock and roll.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nevyn on October 23, 2008 at 7:57pm: that is exactly right...I've been following AC/DC since 1974 and first seen them live doing high schools and town halls, in 34 years nothing has changed....they don't need to because it just about having a good time, no bullshit protest messages, just good no nonsense fun head banging rock.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pabli on October 23, 2008 at 7:09pm: Muchas de estas canciones no las tengo,voy a buscar este album,gracias,espero encontrarlo en Sanborns Mazatlan.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Glen Todd on October 23, 2008 at 9:49pm: You just know bands like fallout boy, my chemical romance, and garbage like that are sitting home in the fetal position saying OH SHIT REAL MUSIC IS BACK!!! my pathetic little career is over. Crue,Metallica,AC/DC ALL IN 1 YEAR! 08 Has been an awesome fucking year for Metal/hard rock fans! Oh by the way,this one fucking awesome album. You can hear traces of the old stuff with plenty of modern jams to it ANGUS IS A GOD!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Acsinte Alexandru on October 24, 2008 at 1:31am: "Clear .............and present danger" for all those who think that is so easy to make music.

As they said : "It's a long way to rock and roll"...............and.............................

"We salute them"

LLRR; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeanne aka MetalMystriss on October 24, 2008 at 3:30am: I finally got mine.I don't think it's as good as most of their music, that being said, I think it's a great quality album and still better then most of the albums put out today, especially by the Major labels.! I was taking Jamie (my 11 yr old) to the Tesla concert the other night, but we got the new AC/DC cd finally 1/2 hr before leaving for the show in the mail and the little shit didn't want to go to the concert after that! lol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ana on October 24, 2008 at 4:30am: The album is really good...but AC/DC can do better =); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Johny Bottom on October 24, 2008 at 5:06am: Well I can officially say I like it after listening to it all night driving around.

My only complaint really would be Phil Rudd. Nothing against the guy and I know he has never recorded a drum fill in his life, but was the guy asleep at the drums on this album? Could a 5 year old with a drum machine do the same thing?

A lot of complaints about this album is that all the songs sound the same. I think that is because of Phil's drumming. Every song is basic beats of 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 etc etc. I'd go as far as to say you could take any drum track from any song, and it would fit into any other song on the album. On some songs I don;t even think he had to count, he just played the rhythm through until he was told to stop.

Phil is AC/DC's original drummer, and I love AC/DC, but if there is a weak link in the band I think it is Phil, AC/DC has never been known for it's drumming, but c'mon Phil change it up a bit!

But all in all I do like Black Ice. I think it's a better album than Stiff Upper Lip. I'm a guitar nut and Angus delivered and Brian's voice sounds good. Thank God he doesn't sound like he did on Ballbreaker, his voice was shot at that point. Good to hear that he's taken care of his pipes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by whitewitch on October 24, 2008 at 5:11am: i still like them and was lucky to by the last two tickets at men manchester to c them in april; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by AnythinGoes on October 24, 2008 at 5:54am: AC/DC is always the same & thats good..no experiments...the old school 70s blues metal (IMO)...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by alejandro zambra on October 24, 2008 at 8:32am: waaaaaaaaau,quiero purio escucharlo,todavia no llega por aqui; ▶ Reply to This

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