AC/DC

This is something that hasn't happened in awhile. A new studio album from AC/DC. The last one was 2000's Stiff Upper Lip. But what has taken far longer is a really good, solid AC/DC album. Oh, there's been some close ones along the way (The Razor's Edge), but most AC/DC fans will tell you they haven't lived up to Back in Black since. Black Ice changes that.

Now don't get me wrong. I don't think AC/DC can ever write an album as good as Back in Black ever again. That is, and always will be the best album that bears the name AC/DC. But Black Ice is a bit of a different animal. After the last album and tour were over, you started hearing rumblings that the Young brothers wanted to do something different next time. They didn't want "just another AC/DC record". They achieved it!

It has some songs on there and some riffs I don't think I've ever heard AC/DC doing. Oh, it's AC/DC, it's not like they're going to start sounding like Black Sabbath. But this is not your garden vareity AC/DC album. It is pretty darn good - has a nice variety, sounds new, but still keeps the traditional AC/DC sound. That make any sense? The track "Big Jack" in particular sounds like it could go on Back in Black. There's some REALLY good stuff on this disc!

It is (in the US, anyway) an exclusive at Walmart. If you want it, you have to buy it from Walmart, it's not available anywhere else. There are also a couple of different covers. Red, yellow, blue, & silver. Only the blue one has any real difference. That is the "special edition". I have that one. It's not worth the extra $2. You get lyrics, and some photos (most of which came from the video shoot for Rock & Roll Train). It's the kind of stuff that should be in album liner notes to begin with, not something that is there as a $2 extra. That kind of annoyed me.

A cute story about this, though. I'm 43 now. I've been listening to AC/DC since I was 15. I have bought all the albums the day they came out. This was no different. In fact, in a throwback to my youth, I drove over to my local Wal-Mart at 11:45PM the night of release, and hung out in the music section until the guy brought out the boxes with Black Ice in them. I was the only dork in the store, and helped him look through the pile for the special edition. As a little bonus, Walmart had the special edition discounted to $11.99 instead of the $13.99 for the opening weekend (or night, I'm not sure), so I got the extra $2 stuff for "free" (the way it should have been).

Bottom line is if you like AC/DC, you should like this. If you stopped buying their albums some time ago, give this one a shot, it's one of their better discs.

Mostly forgettable album. Has one really great track (title track), and a few others that are "OK" (Safe in New York City, House of Jazz, & Satellite Blues), but isn't the greatest AC/DC album.

Before it was released, there were interviews saying that this was going to be the best AC/DC album since "Back in Black". Boy was that wrong.

Probably the most solid Brian Johnson era AC/DC album except Back in Black, of course. Lots of good stuff here. My favorites here are Ballbreaker, Cover you in Oil, & Boogieman. Also features the return of the Back in Black band with the return of drummer Phil Rudd. It didn't get as much attention as it deserved, though. Definitely worth checking out - can't go wrong with this one.

I bought all the AC/DC albums in between For Those and this one when they were current, but none were keepers, and over the years got dumped (most 'of em when I completely abandonded pre-recorded cassette tape).

This was the best "album" they made since Back in Black... Best tracks here are Moneytalks, Thunderstruck, & The Razors Edge. It was pretty solid front front to back (but not as solid as Highway to Hell & Back in Black). A good more modern AC/DC album.

Decent, if not great follow-up to Back in Black. Has some totally killer songs (title track is one). The last of the three Mutt Lange produced AC/DC albums (Highway & Back in Black were the others). Title track is great here. None of the other tracks stand out as classics, though.

When this album was new, I was 16. At the time I was REALLY into it, as it was the first new AC/DC to come out after I had started listening to 'em. It hasn't held up well over time though.

Probably AC/DC's greatest album of all time. Fitting it's a tribute album (sort of) to the late Bon Scott. This was also my first rock and roll record I ever got (back in 1980). Before this, I was listening to mostly disco.

As this was my first ever rock record, I kind of felt compelled to pick it up as a remaster. Plus I got the remaster for under $10, so that was a bit of a no brainer.

By far the best of the Bon Scott era albums. Nothing's close. There's greatness all over this disc, not a single weak spot, IMO.

It's just a shame this was Bon's final work. I wonder how good the next album would have been with him on it. It turns out the next album was the best one AC/DC ever made, but I would have to imagine it would have been different with Bon still behind the mike.

A classic. Wasn't released in the states until after Back in Black was out. Has the all time classic "Big Balls", as well as the title track.

Their first non Australian release. Good stuff. Nowhere near as aggressive as something like Highway to Hell or Back in Black, but has songs like It's a Long way to the Top, T.N.T, Little Lover, & High Voltage.