AC/DC - Fly on the Wall (Dlx)

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Free Music Notes for Fly on the Wall (Dlx)

Free Music Review: This Is My Favorite AC/DC Album
Hit: 5 Stars

The Re-Issues didn't hit Record store shelves simultaneously, Groups f Albums were released in separate "Phases". The first arrival being their more celebrated albums like "Back In Black" and "Highway To Hell".

"Fly On The Wall" was released with the third and final phase. And after listening to this album heavily, It's now my favorite AC/DC Album - With "Back In Black' being a close second.

Popular opinion states that "AC/DC Were in a Slump during the Mid-80'S" Well that's only true if you observe Album Sales. And it's kinda true as "Fly On The Wall" to date has only gone Gold, Which is meager compared to their past sucesses. In fact it was for this reason that I feared the worst: Epic might not produce a Re-Issue for "Fly On The Wall". Well a Gigantic relief came my way when a message board poster from the official AC/DC Website informed me that "Fly on The Wall" is scheduled for a Summer release, July 1st to be exact.

On that very date I Was on vacation in Washington D.C, and upon returning home I was unable to find the album at big chain record stores, I Checked a Pawnshop and found a copy for $8.99, it amazed me that the year on the back cover said 2003 and I bought it used!

The People who subscribe to the "AC/DC Slumped in the Mid 80's" School of thought automatically reject this album, they won't give it the time of day for listening solely on account of It wasn't a through-the-roof commercial tour-de-force. Unfortunate, but that's their loss.

The Album Cover is nice. It shows the familiar band logo + The album title over a Wood-Paneled wall (Although some perspectives may see it as a fence). The cartoon fly on the lower right corner is so cute, unlike the Flys you see in Real life. Well the Fly for this album cover was used in a series of Genious AC/DC concert videos to promote the album. The cartoon fly was intersped over live action footage ala "Who framed Roger Rabbit?". The fly buzzed out of beer cans and above the stage where the band were giving their all in an energetic performance. Tragically this didn't help sales.

The disc comes packaged in a Digipak which will wear out quickly if carried around. The Liner notes are packed with rare photos - it's worth noting, that I think the image + style AC/DC Had in 1985 was their all time best. All the band members had long hair, Guitarist Angus Young's was Shoulder length. Brian Johnson was heavily into a Matching blue denim Pants, hat and vest "look", superior to the one he had on "Back In Black" where he relied on a Black Cap + T-Shirt.

There is a great accompanying booklet essay written by Brian Ives, in it he praises AC/DC For never selling out to trends which I Also commend. HOWEVER we part ways where he states "In 1985 Some 70's Hard Rockers adopted trendy styles like Pibnk Suits, Hairspray, and Synth-Driven Ballads" which in my opinion is a subliminal Jab at Kiss. Now I love the Mid-80's Era of that band, so those words don't sit well with me. Regardless it's a good read but if you enjoy mid-80's Kiss like I do be advised.

On the Production front all the problems that ailed the original have been solved. On the original 1985 Pressings Brian Johnson's voice sounded like it was in the background, not anymore, on this Re-Master it's loud, clear and in the forefront. Cliff Williams competent Bass playing can now be heard as well, on past versions you'd ask yourself "Did he show up for the recording sessions? There's no bass". George Marino, the Sound Technician who did the Re-Masters deserves praise from me, so heres to ya George!

Simon Wright was the bands percussionist in 1985 replacing Phil Rudd. The "Sound" Of Simon's drums are the best I've heard in all the time I've listened to Recorded Music. Thwe Snare is LOUD, Unlike some of these wimpy recordings today where I have to struggle to hear it (Cyclefly's debut anyoene?). Simon isn't a flashy drummer like Tommy Lee,

I love the Lyrics to the opening title track: "Trapped Like A Fly On The Wall/Caged Like a Sewer Animal". And The Bass Line engages you.

"Shake Your Foundations" has an intro consisting of Guitars Plucking which are of course done by MAlcolm and Angus Young. The Drums Bombastically build up for the chorus: "Ayee Ayee Oh Shake your Foundations".

"First Blood" should have been used as the theme to a Rambo movie but Darnit it wasn't. For The Solo Angus breaks into some Gerge Lynch-esque Finger Tapping. Angus is a more blues based player, so his techniques are more akin tio Jimmy Page and based on feeling but it's always good to hear him try other ideas too, which he showcases here.

"Danger" was released as a Single. A logical decision to do so because the mainframe is very "Hooky", for it snags you. The Tempo is moderately slow, staying that way for it's full 4:22 Running length. The lyrics tell the tale about having onbe drink too many and the perils it may cause for some people, Hence Danger...."Raising Hell I wasn't doing no harm/The Cops Could not appreciate My Natural Charm".

"Sink The Pink" is probably the Weak Link of this song batch, though it's fairly decent taken on it's own. The High-Pitched Guitar lick is appealing. To me, the latter chorus half resembles Def Leppard's huge hit "Photograph". Not a bad thing. In fact the two bands are somewhat linked and you don't have to play six degrees of separation. Both bands employed producer "Mutt" Lange in the past. The Pace of "Playing With Girls" Strides along in Thuggish Fashion. Sleazy Lyrics, what's not to like?

"Stand Up" should've been an anthem of it's time. Hindsight's 20/20. The Guitars aren't as plentiful, but when they let up you get to hear Simon Wright's afforementioned glorious drums. The Bass Line is absent during the first chorus but kicks into gear from there on out. It's a Two-Chord tandem of High-Low High-Low.

"Come Hell Or High Water" has a distorted Riff that "Mimics" the chorus, which gets repeated many times.

Of all these tracks "Back in Business" has the toughest, most thuggish feel by far. Check out What Brian Johnson sings, if he gets ousted from AC/DC He may have a second career in Gangsta Rap!:

"You want some trouble, I'm the king of vice
I'm a wreckin' ball, I'm a stingin' knife
Steal your money, gonna take your life
You got screamin' murder, lock up your door
Double dealin' gotta have more

Call me dirty, trash my name
Just tell (the? my?) boys that I'm gonna be
Back in business again"

Now this is for The Rap Reviewers at Amazon: Those lyrics would be prime material for A Warren G Or Mobb Deep Album!

Heading into the Bottom of The 9th we have the closer "Send For The Man". I'm still not exactly sure who "The Man" the lyrics are talking about is, maybe it's the bad guy from the Eddier Griffin/Denise Richards film "Undercover Brother" LMAO. The whole band chimes in for the anthemic "Yah" Shouts. The Riff is solid, and the chords get real murky during the chorus prelude, which for some reason makes it more memorable. And Distinct too, becayuse I've heard over 50 AC/DC Songs, and this sticks with me.

After "Fly On The Wall" AC/DC's streak of Good albums continued with "Blow Up Your Video" [albeit on that release Simon's drums sounded "Softer :( ].

This is AC/DC's Most Thuggish album, Every Song off "Fly On The Wall" is an underrated Gem, and the Snare Drum Sound is possibly the best I've ever heard. Go buy a Copy today.

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