AC/DC Still Rockin' with Black Ice

Never has a band been so loyal to a sound as AC/DC.  For over thirty years, these guy have put out the most basic high-energy rock & roll with an immediately recognizable and unique sound.  You know it:  Heavily metal power chords, straight ahead 4/4 drumming, and a guy in a schoolboy outfit who can rip solos like nobody's business.  Fads have come and gone, but AC/DC's sound and style has remained virtually unchanged through their career.  The only other band that stayed as close to their original sound is The Ramones, and even they occasionally ventured into some interesting cover songs.

The long and short of all this is if you like AC/DC, you'll love "Black Ice" because it takes you back to the classic sound, almost like discovering some long lost studio bootleg from 1985.  Maybe not quite as good as "Back in Black" but still immediately recognizable and full of energy.  But if you're looking for some kind of evolution in the sound, you may as well listen to The Ramones.

"New guy" Brian Johnson (he must hate that) does a great job on vocals.  For a guy who's 61 years old, he's still got the chops.  And there's a lot less strain in his voice than in some of their live sound, making the songs quite listenable.  The guitar parts are as good as ever, with a lot of clear separation so you can really hear the guitar riffs, the drums, etc.  The single "Rock N Roll Train" serves as a great introduction to the album.  Other memorable cuts include "Skies on Fire,"  the bluesy "Decibel," and the slow burn "Rock & Roll Dream." Title track "Black Ice" wraps things up with a decent amount of punch, though I don't think it pays off as well as the opening track. 

It's pretty hard to miss AC/DC these days.  They're on the cover of everything from Rolling Stone to Q magazine in the UK.  I expect they'll be in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue next.  They've launched a world tour in support of the album as well as a tie in with RockBand 2 that features 18 tracks from their famous Donington castle gig.  As with "Black Ice," the Rock Band track pack is only available at Walmart, though you can find used copies online.   Still, at $11.88, I admire the band keeping prices down.  For 15 songs of classic rock, it's a good deal. 

• AC/DC: Official Site, News, Tour, Wikipedia
• Amazon: Black Ice, Back in Black, Highway to Hell, Stiff Upper Lip
• Rolling Stone: AC/DC & the Gospel of Rock & Roll, Black Ice review

Comments

[guitar teacher]

AC/DC is coming to Little Rock in January. Can't wait!

They last came to LR (That I can remember) in '86-87 time frame. Tickets were $18.50.

Now, 20 years later, tix are $90+ dollars.

ARGH!

[Ava]

AC/DC is pretty cool. I'm only starting to listen to more of their music now. I guess you could say I'm part of that "new generation." Anyway, they have some of the best guitar riffs of all time!

Ava

[ZUrlocker]

Turns out I got a line on some tix in Oakland, so I'll be going next tuesday. Stay tuned for a full report.

--Zack