AC/DC - Back in Black
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Free Music Notes for Back in Black
Free Music Review: Rightfully one of the greatest albums and examples of triumph over tragedy 28 years on
Hit: 5 Stars
AC/DC's sixth US release Back In Black is one of rock's all-time classic records.
Released in July of 1980, this album was a classic case of triumph over tragedy. After the death of lead singer Bon Scott (their larger than life frontman) from an accidental drinking binge, the band were faced at quitting. However, it was Bon's own parents who recommended that the band soldier on.
Guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young, bass player Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd enlisted Welsh born singer Brian Johnson and soldiered on. The band relocated to Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas with returning producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange and engineer Tony Platt to record this classic masterpiece. Instead of going reggae or carribean (whereas many bands who went there experimented with some carribean sounds, save ELP who recorded their album Love Beach at that same studio in 1978), Back in Black was all about the three fundamentals of rock and roll. Sex, drugs and rock n' roll and Brian screams rather than sings.
The opening "Hell's Bells" is a masterpiece with lead guitarist Angus' guitar riff. The bell at the intro came to the band whilst Malcolm was in the restroom and was recorded at a bell foundry in England as the album was being mixed in New York. "Shoot to Thrill" was inspired by the old Western movies and instead of guns, guitars are the weapons for the rock and roll outlaws. The following three tracks "What Do You Do For Money Honey", "Given the Dog a Bone" and "Let Me Put My Love Into You" are all great rockers which still sound great today.
The album's second half kicks off with the title track which came about from a riff on the Highway to Hell tour and was another Top 40 hit for the band. The Top 40 hit "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a classic despite the fact Mutt wanted less words but AC/DC outvoted him. "Have A Drink On Me" is a great riff from rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young and is a great send-off to Bon. "Shake a Leg" is next and is a killer rocker. The closing "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" is a kiss-off to the band's critics with a classic evangelist parody from Brian at the intro.
The album became AC/DC's first US Top 5 album (hitting #4 in the fall of 1980) and is their biggest seller (21 million copies and counting in the US alone). In 2003, a new remaster was released and the sonic quality and booklet is phenomenal and the digi-pak art reminds me of the original LP sleeve.
Highly recommended!
Free Music Review: AC/DC is the ultimate classic rock band.
Hit: 5 Stars
What is there to say about this album that hasn't already been said, you ask? Plenty. Everyone knows that AC/DC's Back In Black contains simple, straight-forward classics like Hell's Bells, Shoot To Thrill, and You Shook Me All Night Long, as well as other songs like What Do You Do For Money Honey and Shake A Leg, which also focus on sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, but there are three other songs that bring a deeper meaning to the album. In 1979, original AC/DC singer Bon Scott died of alcohol poisoning after a night of heavy drinking, and therefore when the band went on to release an album with new vocalist Brian Johnson in 1980, they were 'Back In Black' because they were still mourning him. However, they weren't about to quit drinking, which was made clear with Have A Drink On Me, my personal favorite AC/DC song. Bon Scott's bandmates realized that he would have wanted them move on and enjoy the party lifestyle, as long as they didn't drink as much as he did. The third song on the album that is a tribute to the late Bon Scott is Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, which is also a response to critics who gave the band bad reviews. It states that "he'll always be with us" because "rock and roll will never die", which has proven true. AC/DC has had enormous success after Bon Scott died and the classic 70s albums that featured him on vocals are all but forgotten. AC/DC is the ultimate classic rock band and many fans consider Back In Black to be their finest hour. Even if you don't usually go for party-time classic rock, Back In Black has something for everyone and is easy to appreciate. After all, you can only listen to just so much intelligent and sophisticated music before you want to hear something simpler and easier to understand. Thus, I highly recommend this album, especially since it is now available in this very reasonably priced deluxe edition, which features all original album artwork in addition to many great photos (all in black-and-white, of course) as well as a detailed and informative essay and various memorabilia such as newspaper clippings and whatnot. This is also an enhanced CD, meaning that it provides access to even more bonus content on the band's website. Fuse music channel, which is much better than MTV, recently proclaimed the song Back In Black as the #1 heavy metal anthem of all-time, and the other songs on the album are just as good. AC/DC's Back In Black is a simple yet brilliant album that all hard rock fans should own.Free Music Review: Nothin' But Good, Fun Hard Rock
Hit: 5 Stars
While many newcomers to AC/DC in this day and age were probably first pulled in by "Highway to Hell" or "You Shook Me All Night Long," it wasn't until hearing "Hell's Bells" in a pool hall that I was really pulled into AC/DC's music. The simultainously rocking and atmospheric sound of this song alone was enough to prompt me to buy BACK IN BLACK and quickly follow that with HIGHWAY TO HELL.
Though I hate to be another follower of popular opinion, I have to say that BACK IN BLACK is my favorite of AC/DC's recordings. I loved this album from begining to end from the first time, and it stands as a disc which I repeatedly come back to whenever I need a healthy dose of good times hard rock. The band is as tight as ever, with the Youngs sizzling on guitars, and the rythms of Rudd and Williams chugging underneath. Brian Johnson, while different in his delivery than Bon Scott, is still an excellent singer, bringing a solid vocal presence to the proceedings.
There are loads of perennial rock classics here, from the aforementioned "Hell's Bells" to their hit "You Shook Me All Night Long," the title track, and "Shoot to Thrill." Though other tracks may not have made hit status, album tracks like "Givin' the Dog a Bone" and "Have a Drink on Me" are equally excellent, and there is nothing here I would go so far as to call filler. Even my least favorite track, "Shake a Leg," is still a great song. Throughout the album, the hooks are unforgetable, the guitars are appropriatly loud, and the rythms rock hard.
I've never heard the original masters, but this version sounds great. The sound is as crystal clear as they come, capturing every nuance of the band's playing perfectly. The digi-packs look great, but won't survive much wear and tear. The booklet provides a nice essay and pleanty of great photos.
Years later, this is still one of the best albums I've ever heard for good fun rock and roll. Its not exceptionally intellectual or sophisticated, but that was never the point anyway. BACK IN BLACK is fun as hell, and that's what makes this great. AC/DC is a great band and this is, in my opinion (and apparently that of many others) their finest ablum. It's among the ten best selling albums of all time and, unlike some popular music, this one really earns its status. Highly reccomended.
Free Music Review: Simply put, THIS is rock and roll!
Hit: 5 Stars
I can't really think of anything too specific to say about "Back in Black". One day, I bought the album, listened to it and had one of the biggest musical joyrides I can recall! Critics may despise AC/DC, but that's no reason to neglect this album! In fact, this qualifies not only as being one of the biggest-selling rock albums of all time, but one of the greatest. That being said, "Back in Black" is probably the first album people will think about whenever AC/DC is mentioned, and while they have a great selection in their catalogue, this is, no doubt, their finest hour.
From the guitar crunch of the Young brothers, from Malcolm's rock-solid rhythm playing to Angus's legendary riffs, licks and solos, this no doubt qualifies as a great guitar album. Then comes in the rhythm section of Cliff Williams on bass and Phil Rudd on drums, and while Phil Rudd may not have the same chops as John Bonham, Phil still makes his drums sound larger than life, which makes for a great cornerstone of the AC/DC groove. And then...Brian Johnson. Who would have thought after such a great lead singer as Bon Scott passed away, Brian Johnson would be able to fill in his role, and fill it in greatly, as well. His voice may take some getting used to, but he definitely sounds best on this album.
In addition, the remastering is excellent. The volume is up and there's no static or unneccesary noise that ruins the sound. After all, there's nothing as disappointing as hearing a great song like it was recorded a mile away! Anyway, this album is just flat-out excellent for those who dig such a sound. Ten songs at a little over forty minutes, and a cross between a hard-rock crunch and an old-school groove for each song, AC/DC did just about everything they could right on this album.
As a summary, this album will make you forget your problems, imagine these guys on stage at night in a big, sold-out arena, playing these rockers loudly and proudly, and, of course, prove to be a testament of time and rock and roll. And remember, take no pressure from the critics. Be your own person! Rock out and feel good about it! And remember, "rock and roll ain't noise pollution...it just makes good, good sense!" Peace!
Free Music Review: What Can I Say....
Hit: 5 Stars
...about this album that every other reviewer hasn't already said? Probably very little other than this album epitomizes everything I know to be 'Hard Rock'---- crunching guitars, driving bass and drums and "over the top" vocals (often resonating with lewdness). Now, what I CAN say (if anybody gives a hoot) is what this great album means to me personally. "Back in Black" is directly linked with many "firsts" in my life. My first encounter with Mr. Jack Daniels was accompanied by this album blaring from a set of speakers-----I recieved my first "real" butt-kicking (courtesy of said Mr. Daniels...lots of adolecsent Testosterone...and the local civic center parking lot after an extra rowdy concert from the band). Heck, this was probably the background music during my first female "encounter" as well. I'm guessing some of the above mentioned experiences probably "ring true" with many males out there that spent teenage years "rocking-out" to "Back in Black"----and to this day it remains a powerful testament of "No holds barred" R-n-R. I rarely write reviews to analise or discuss individual songs, so I'll simply say I don't associate song terms such as 'weak' and 'filler' with this great album. It ends the same way it begins and it's ALL ROCK BABY!!!....truly one of the most raw, energetic statements of 'Good-Ol' Rock-n-Roll ever recorded. On top of that, its one of only a few cases where a basically unknown vocalist (Brian Johnson) has stepped-in to "fill the shoes" of a much beloved original singer (Bon Scott), and made it work in a BIG WAY. I really feel fortunate to have grown up listening to what is now considered a 'Classic' album (despite what other reviewers have said). The few times I listen to this album anymore,(Hey...I'm pushing 40!) it still conjures up those 'Milestone' moments in my life and still leaves me smiling when its all said and done. However, I do find myself wondering whats out there right now for today's youths to "latch" onto that has the POWER of an album like this...is there an artist or band out there producing music of this caliber? I don't know...but what I have come to the conclusion of, is that they don't make em' like this anymore. A DEFINITE MUST BUY!!!