We all know
AC/DC's classic back catalogue from the Bon Scott era. I even bet there is a few
AC/DC cover bands around your area as well.
Big Balls is another
AC/DC tribute band hailing form Germany, but what differentiates
Big Balls from all others is that they perform
AC/DC's songs unplugged.
AC/DC is one of the most electric rock bands around and they never used acoustic instruments. Therefore
Big Balls' acoustic approach to the songs is quite interesting. The main conclusion about the album is that the songs work being under the unplugged treatment.
The album is a live recording, which breathes life to the songs. Otherwise they probably would sound a bit tame. The audience is sparse, but enough to provide the album with a nerve.
Singer Chicken's tone is very alike Bon Scott including that typical giddy drunken Bon Scott pronunciation. Haver's bass is vital to the acoustic sound since his bass makes the music tighter - the bass' importance is most clearly heard on
Down Payment Blues and of course
Live Wire.
Big Balls is very true to the original versions. Album highlight
High Voltage even has a long "Angus Young" solo.
Big Balls transfers the classic
AC/DC magic and charm and simply makes the songs rock even though they are performed acoustic.
Big Balls has included one of their own compositions and it blends in perfectly with the
AC/DC material. The chord progression to
Die provides the song with a special emotion.
The only flaws are on
Hell Ain't no bad Place To Be, where the band makes a few mistakes. Also the vocalist has a tendency to swallow the words, which makes his style a but uneven. This is also registered on
Problem Child, where Chicken mumbles the lyrics. The only song that doesn't work acoustic is
Rocker - up-tempo songs rarely works acoustic and Chicken has a hard time to keep up with the rhythm section and bites off a few endings.
A brave approach to
AC/DC's electric songs, which works on most parts of the album.
Written by
Michael Thursday, July 29, 2004
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 6/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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