AC/DC

High Voltage

Rating (1-10): 9

AC/DC's first major release is certainly not the band's best effort but it is good. AC/DC is a band that can play rock and roll that doesn't have a message but is good all the same. I recommend buying this AC/DC album only after you hear a few other cds by them to make sure that you like this type of music. Don't get me wrong, this album still is amazing and I recommend it to anyone that lives for rock and roll music, but AC/DC would have much better efforts in the future that would make this album somewhat fade away to everyone but true AC/DC fans. Highlights: It's a Long Way to the Top (If you Wanna Rock and Roll), Rock and Roll Singer, Live Wire, and T.N.T.

Let There Be Rock

Rating (1-10): 8.5 There are certain things that are better about Let There Be Rock than High Voltage and things that are worse. This album contains more memorable songs, but the album as a whole just isn't as good as the first one. However, like I said before, this album has some of my favorite AC/DC songs of all time on it including "Whole Lotta Rosie", "Go Down", and "Dog Eat Dog".

Powerage

Rating (1-10): 9 Powerage doesn't get the credit it deserves and that is a shame. This album does not have one bad song on it (some AC/DC albums tend to have at least one boring, blues-oriented song). This is not true for Powerage. I think that it is a shame that people will go out and buy cds by AC/DC like Dirty Deeds because of a few songs that they know before they purchase Powerage. I reiterate; unless you don't own Highway to Hell, High Voltage, Razor's Edge, or Back in Black, buy Powerage next! Good songs include; "Rock N' Roll Damnation", "Down Payment Blues", "Sin City", and "Kicked in the Teeth".

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Rating (1-10): 7.5 Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap should consider itself a lucky cd. Other than the title track and "Big Balls" (songs that have world-wide recognition), the rest of the album is dry and boring. I only listened to this cd a few times and I was dissapointed. However, this is AC/DC so don't go thinking that Hason's cd is better than this or anything (thanks, Bill), cuz it's not. I'm just mentioning that compared to other AC/DC efforts, it leaves much to be desired. Highlightes include "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "Big Balls" and "Rocker" (which is ok).

Highway to Hell

Rating (1-10): 10

BRIAN'S TOP 10 CDS OF ALL TIME! (#10)

Where do you begin when you are talking about an album like this one? Bon Scott certainly went out with a bang as he created with Angus and Malcolm Young one of the top 10 greatest records in history. This album is packed with songs that just plain rock. There is no message, no cry for help, no bullshit, just rock and roll at its best. Everyone knows the song "Highway to Hell" but there is so much more this album has to offer. Bon Scott outdid himself on this one, and rock and roll fans should thank him for it. This album was also written in 1979 and, in my opinion, is a key album in the transition from classic 70's rock to 80's hair bands. Great songs include; "Highway to Hell", "Girl's Got Rhythm", "Walk all Over You", "Touch Too Much", "If you want Blood (You've Got It!)", "Shot Down in Flames", and "Night Prowler". Get this album if you don't own it. After the release of this album, and Bon Scott's death, there is no way in hell AC/DC could follow it up, right? Wrong!

Back in Black

Rating (1-10): 10

BRIAN'S TOP 10 CDS OF ALL TIME! (#4)

WOW! After the success of Highway to Hell, AC/DC regrouped with new lead singer Brian Johnson to create the best hard rock (not heavy metal) record of all time. In dedication to Bon Scott, AC/DC put out an album that nobody ever anticipated, at least I didn't. If they weren't there already, "Back in Black" clearly cemented AC/DC into rock and roll history and was key to making AC/DC the success that it is today. The whole album is great, but if you want to listen to songs that will blow your mind, check out "Hell's Bells", "Shoot to Thrill", "Back in Black", "You Shook me all Night Long", "What do you do for Money,Honey", and "Shake a Leg". So, I guess I'll see you later since you are going to buy this record now, right? Right!

For Those About to Rock, We Salute You

Rating (1-10): 6 After Back in Black, AC/DC kinda went downward until the end of the 1980s with a release of three consecutive bad studio records. This is the first of the three. Everybody has heard the title track and nothing else. There is a good reason for that: the rest of the album just isn't good. Anyway, aside from the title track, "Inject the Venom" is an ok song.

Fly on the Wall

Rating (1-10): 5.5 Part two of the crap trilogy. This album is even worse than the first because it is so boring. A lot of the songs sound the same and it appears as though AC/DC just gave up on it. The sad thing is, I can listen to certain songs on this album and think to myself how these songs could be better. Now if I, being a lowly singer of an amazing band called "The Red Hairs" (subtle band plug :-), can think of these ideas, certainly super rock-stars can....if they cared. And that is the thing, I don't think AC/DC really cared about this cd. The two songs that are ok are "Fly on the Wall" and "Hell or High Water".

Blow Up Your Video

Rating (1-10): 6 Well, at least after this one, the agony ends. There is not much to say about this record except that it leaves much to be desired. It would have been better if AC/DC had not made this record but they did so we have to live with it. The one song that keeps this record at a "6" is the song "Meanstreak" which is actually Highway to Hell quality.

The Razor's Edge

Rating (1-10): 9 Allright! Now we are back in business! AC/DC proved in this record that they were not going to fade. This is the heaviest AC/DC record by far and the first note to the last must be played LOUD! I must say that for the first time, AC/DC really has a message in a few of their songs. "Moneytalks" is about greed and people that exploit the rich and "The Razor's Edge" I think is about war and its devestating results. "Mistress for Christmas" also has a message about wanting to score on December 25. Overall, this album is great and really picks up where Back in Black left off. Oh yeah, "Thunderstruck", possibly AC/DC's most recognizable song in their post-Back in Black era is on this record. Pick this cd up. It's worth it

Ballbreaker

Rating (1-10): 8 This was a highly anticipated record when it first came out, and for the most part it didn't let anyone down. Of course people were not expecting another Back in Black or Highway to Hell, and it would be stupid if they did. This record is the quintessential AC/DC album. It contains rock and roll with powerful riffs and awesome lyrics. Good songs include; "Ballbreaker", "Hard as a Rock", and "Cover you in Oil".

Stiff Upper Lip

Rating (1-10): 8.5 This record was even more anticipated than its predecessor. Most likely the people that are reading this page (if anyone) are looking at this review since the record is so new. Of course this album is good, there are better records, but this album is amazing in the since that in 1999, AC/DC sounds the same as they did in 1976 when High Voltage came out, truley an exceptional feat in the music industry. If you don't like the songs, at least buy this album to appreciate all that AC/DC has done for the rock industry as only a few other artists have done more. Good songs include; "Stiff Upper Lip", "Satellite Blues", and "Safe in New York City".

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