Controversial comment coming up…There are three AC/DC albums that vie for their best album, and they followed each other chronologically (and none of them are Back In Black). Let There Be Rock , Powerage, and Highway To Hell are the three, and are all perfect in their own way. I first became aware of the Aussie terrors around the Dirty Deeds period, and saw a few times in club and uni shows before they stepped up to halls with the release of this album and the singles that came from it. They appeared on Top Of The Pops and a couple of other shows at the time. When people saw their energy and raw power, they were hooked.
We blast straight in with single number one, Rock N Roll Damnation. A great choice for a single as does exactly what it says on the tin. Down Payment Blues is next and I defy anyone not to bounce around the house while doing the hoovering to this beauty. Killer tune, simple but oh so effective! Gimme A Bullet rolls on in next with the pounding bass, kick drum, and twin guitar riff – just beautiful. Another killer tune! Riff Raff is next and is a contender for best AC/DC song ever. This song just smokes!!! What a riff!!! Everything about this song is just perfect. If anyone asked me to describe what I love most about this band I would just bang this song and kaboom!!! Angus just rips the hell out of the guitar and Bon’s vocal is killer!!!
Over to Side 2 we go with single number two, Sin City. Imagine this being released as a single today. Real music played by real people – it wouldn’t have a chance! I’m glad I was born when I was to experience bands like this up close and personal. Another banging tune! What’s Next To The Moon follows, with the toms a thumping and a Paperback Writer type riff that adds a bit of variety to the album. The almost laid back Gone Shootin’ is next, pedal off the power slightly with a very Stones vibe. Last two tracks compete to melt your face off the quickest in which album closer Kicked In The Teeth Again narrowly wins over Up To My Neck In You.
Production is absolutely monster courtesy of long time collaborators Vanda and Young, ironically this would be the last album they would produce before Mutt Lange came on board and mega-stardom beckoned. If you haven’t guessed it, this is my favourite DC album and every human on the planet should own it.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
