Rock or Bust

I'll probably get some blow back on this review, but I can only rate this new AC/DC release as I hear it. I've been a big fan of AC/DC since first hearing their "Highway To Hell" '79 release...on 8-Track. I was hooked on that sound and that voice from the first note. Didn't know anything about AC/DC before that. I immediately went back and bought all the previous LPs and was amazed that I hadn't heard any of their material before this...maybe I just wasn't paying attention. Mr. Bon Scott was taken from us shortly after discovering "Highway To Hell". A sad day for all who live for the Hard Guitar driven Rock! In stepped Brian Johnson, and the boyz didn't miss a beat, as they released "Back In Black" in '80. This was when everyone who didn't already know AC/DC got their introduction as it seemed to be playing everywhere. My Dallas/Ft. Worth radio station KZEW actually realized the err of their ways and started playing all the earlier Bon Scott material. Don't get me wrong, they did play three songs off of the "Highway To Hell" release regularly. Then we got "For Those About To Rock...We Salute You" '81.This new release, which I was a bit skeptical of when it was announced, is the best studio release they've put out since "For Those...". I know and understand everyone has their own likes based on personal preferences and the tyming of said releases. Other than "Powerage" '78, I rate all the Bon Scott releases higher, but since Brian Johnson has joined the band and become the voice of the band, I think "Rock Or Bust" is every bit as good as "For Those..." and better than every other following release by the band. Only "Back In Black" would be preferred over this new one. It's just my opinion, don't be a hater.. I think every AC/DC release should be in each and every Hard Rockers collection. Each and everyone of the releases after "For Those..." has had quality songs, just not always every song. I can't imagine anyone who has been a fan of AC/DC over the years, not thoroughly enjoying this new release. It has such a better sound and feel than their '08 "Black Ice". Again, not saying that was bad, just that this new one is much better.I'll rate the Brian Johnson era AC/DC:1) "Back In Black" '812) "Rock Or Bust" '143) "Razors Edge" '904) "For Those About To Rock...We Salute You" '815) "Stiff Upper Lip" '006) "Ball Breaker" '95I'll stop there as "Flick Of A Switch" 83, "Fly On The Wall" '85, "Who Made Who" '86, "Blow Up Your Video" '88 & "Black Ice" '08 just don't stand up to those six...in my opinion. I think I'll go back and reintroduce myself to these last five, just to make sure my taste and appreciation of this genre of music has not changed. I admit that occasionally I find myself liking an album I didn't think so highly of on earlier listens. Maybe I'll be surprised!!Free Hugs!!&Keep A Rockin' In The Free World!!Changin' The World One Ear At A Tyme!!

I guess it’s safe to say I don’t agree with the one and two star reviews (or three and four star reviews for that matter!). To me the one and two star reviews are very similar to the reviews that Sabbath got for their “13” cd; there was a lot of discussion about whether the cd was a good representation of the group, had Ozzy lost his voice, had the band “sold out,” etc. The bottom line is that no band is going to have all 5 star reviews—it’s not just going to happen. There will always be people who don’t like the cd, even if they do consider themselves to be long time fans. The whole point of the review system in my opinion is to help people who aren’t familiar with the product to decide if they want to buy it. Although I don’t think the one and two star reviews are a true representation of the cd, if the reviewers don’t like the cd then they don’t like it—it’s their prerogative not to like it. The ONLY thing I could almost agree with is that the cd is shorter than the rest, but this by no means justifies a one start rating, it only means that I’m left wanting just a few more minutes.So to those who may have heard “Play Ball” during the baseball playoffs and are wondering who these guys are, get the cd and have a listen (not a waste of money). It’s a great cd with plenty of hits (not just one (?) as was said in another review), the songs don’t all sound the same (if the reviewer means it’s typical AC/DC style, that’s true—it sounds like AC/DC. But if they mean songs sound EXACTLY alike, which is what I’m assuming the reviewer means, then no), and it comes from a legendary band.If you “newbies” still aren’t sure, then notice that 4 and 5 star reviews vastly outnumber the 1 and 2 star reviews.Lastly, there’s a brief tribute to Malcolm which is really nice since he’s the heart and soul of the band. As capable as Stevie is on stage, Malcolm will be missed, especially when it comes to music and lyrics. No offense to Angus and Brian when it comes to writing, but after all, there’s a reason Malcolm is called the “Riff Maker.”

I went into this disk with trepidation. The Boys have not really been up to form, save for anomalies like Razor's Edge, since the 80s. But I had to give it a try. As each new song rolled in, I was afraid it would signal the descent of the album into filler. But it never happened.Like all AC/DC albums, it starts out with a full head of cast-iron, steampunk force, and gradually loses a little momentum -- but only a little. While many of their more recent albums lose almost all momentum by Song 5, this one is strong enough all the way through 11.There are only so many opening Highway to Hell riffs that a band can think of. Yet, every song on this disk has a signature riff. How did they do it? It sounds like they reached sometimes into the You Shook Me book, sometimes into the distant past to their R&B days, and sometimes outside the box for elements of Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, and even John Mellencamp. Yes, you'll hear clear, obvious influences of all three on this album, in the songs, and in the riffs. I like it.Brian Johnson's voice sounds great, and the production of the album sounds great. Not quite as compressed as usual, more open and able to breathe, with a nice mix of musical styles that are slightly outside the norm for the band, and yet still fully AC/DC.I've bought a few CDs lately, and generally listen to them three times through, and then put them on the shelf. This one's going to go back and forth into the car fairly often, definitely on road trips and the like.The album itself would be four stars, but it earns five stars for a great return to form. Not the same five stars you'd give a Highway to Hell or Back in Black, of course, because those are six-star albums.