The legends are back once again, and this time the grooving feeling has totally taken over. Their fantastic 1978 release Powerage is the album that reminds me the most of the vibe found here, and that's not a bad thing at all. Even though
AC/DC's music hasn't developed an inch since they started out, they have never repeated themselves in dull way, amazingly they have made Heavy Rock or Hard Rock (whatever you want to call it) for about 30 years and still the ideas sound fresh and creative.
I'm not saying that this comes close to some of their best works, some songs aren't that impressive, but overall this is just a very good album.
The songs seem to be a bit simpler than on their latest release Ballbreaker, which necessarily isn't a bad thing, but in a few instances the song structures become a bit too monotone, even for this band. The sound is quite important for this disc, the music sounds quite old fashioned and the ultra tight, grooving and deep production is a perfect match for this quite slow album. Nice to hear Cliff's bass so much in front, played with great teasing flair.
It all starts out with the title track, a slow rocker with a catchy chorus and a high energy level.
I love the melodic twin rhythm guitar drive and the soaring guitar solo intensifies the songs forceful drive.
The groovy
Hold Me Back is built upon a rather simple rhythm structure but the melodic lead guitar licks work out well. Not the most exciting song but still overall good.
Can't Stand Still is a bit familiar in its appearance and slightly stationary and yet again it has that special
AC/DC driving force that gets you rocking along anyway.
With
Safe In New York City we get a dose of a darker sounding band, packed with raw and creeping rhythm guitars and Brian's expressive and powerful voice. Angus' wild and "in the flesh" solos on this one are some of the best on the record.
You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll is clearly one of my favourite tracks; just the first minute is amazing. A huge memorable chorus and really hard and striking guitar riffs are key elements.
The pounding and hard hitting
Satellite Blues is yet another song that makes it impossible to sit still while it blasts through the stereo, just check out the ultra grooving bass passages, that's really cool stuff. The raw supporting choir gives it a rich base and overall this song just rocks hard.
The deep and ultra tight packed
Damned is a rather different sounding track, based on well thought of structure giving it a laid-back and yet intense profile. Brian's gloomy vocals sound brilliant and the drums are played with great solidity and minor fitting twists to the overall rhythm, something that can be said about the performance for the album in general.
All Screwed Up is a perfect proof that a simple and very basic idea can sound phenomenal, if it's done in the right way. There is just something immensely captivating and melodic about the combination of this songs riff, drum and bass background and the vivid chorus line, this ability to put things together in just the right way is something this band has a special talent for.
The lyrics are traditional
AC/DC all the way matching the musical vibe just perfect. Living free, playing around with girls and having a good time runs like a thin thread through the record, once in a while it's nice and relaxing with lyrics that doesn't require elaborate brain activity, these fit in naturally.
On Stiff Upper Lip the band once again do what they do the best, make solid and hard rocking music, and the beers. well they have a funny tendency to dry out quicker than usually with this one in the stereo.
Written by
Tommy Monday, August 16, 2004
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