AC/DC - Black Ice

AC/DC
Black Ice
Columbia Records
9/10





Face it, critics and fans can be real hard on bands that have been around for a while. Non-stop publicity engines raise expectations for everyone in the equation. So with a break of eight years between studio platters, the stakes are high for seminal Aussie rockers AC/DC.

At this point in the band's career, a dull record could be a make-or-break proposition. Older fans have moved on with their lives in the years since "Back In Black" hit the racks in 1980, ushering in the Brian Johnson-era of the band. Younger listeners are jaded from an endless supply of artists of all styles heavy. All in all, the odds are already against AC/DC finding success with "Black Ice." Add in the factor of age and this album could have easily been expected to be an outright failure.

Amazingly, it's not.

In fact, "Black Ice" every bit rivals the Johnson-era debut in almost every aspect. The Youngs have teamed up to write a blistering pack of rockers, with the hard rocking first single, "Rock N' Roll Train" leading the way.

When you hear the jamming hook of "Anything Goes" or the fist-pumping title track, you'll understand just why the group took so long to bang out this record.

Each and every track on this album is well-suited to be played at maximum volume in strip clubs and hole-in-the-wall bars and that's exactly what fans needed to hear from this legendary band.


Written By: Puss Whiskey