It’s a close call for me when I think of what the best AC/DC album is. This is just behind Powerage as I think it has the slightly better production value and feels a bit heavier. Depending on where you are in the world, and what versions were put out where, this is the 4th album from the land of Aus’ favorite bar room band. This was also where DC found out what heavy metal was all about, as they beefed up their sound to conquer the world. Bare in mind this was still 1977 and the metal movement was in it’s infancy, but the fans absolutely loved AC/DC. Head down, no nonsense, mindless, rock n roll was exactly what we wanted back then, and they delivered big time.
Go Down is a simple boogie but turned up to ten – it grooves hard. Dog Eat Dog is a killer follow up track and it has a wicked riff and groove. I don’t think anyone was ready for the title track when you first heard it, but hell did it blow your face off! Sure, it’s just a simple boogie, but with knobs on and a cherry on the top. Angus was the new guitar hero for my generation, well at least for another year until EVH landed from a planet far far away. Just when you thought it was safe to stop banging your head. Bad Boy Boogie grooved on into town. This band had riffs coming out of their ears at this point, and they were on fire.
No let up with Side 2 as Problem Child gets things grooving right from the off, and Malcolm proves again what a rhythm king he is. Overdose is next and is the unsung hero of the album and is my favourite. The riff is monster and the guitar tone is epic. This song grooves hard, and it’s my go-to song when I need a lift – plus it has one of Angus’s best solos. I’m not sure the 1-2 punch of the last two tracks could be any better, Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be (again, with monster riff #137), and the beast that is Whole Lotta Rosie. Everyone knows Rosie and it’s a bonafide DC classic. This track alone should be played as you walk into the Rock An Roll Hall Of Fame – it’s that iconic.
As I said, it’s a close thing for me to pick which is the best album as they are both killer – anyway, its getting a 10/10 from The Grooveman.
