I have heard about a dozen or so songs, and, like everyone who grew up in the 70s, Back in Black was your graduation present.
But aside from the big tunes, what do I really know about the Aussie boys?
Let's find out.
AC/DC - Powerage - 1978 (buy it)
My ears hurt. It turns out you can't turn your headphones loud enough for Angus Young. This is, what, their fourth album in four years!?!? They just keep sounding fresher and bolder with each release. Either they had a huge cadre of songs in the vault already or Young/Young/Scott were on a tear.
As always I think there's really no flow to the album, it's just one big barroom blisterer after another but, that's okay, I don't think they give much thought to the overall soundscape. They aren't writing concept albums here, they just want you to replace the needle of your turntable after it glows so hot from the searing licks, screaming vocals and barn-door blasting solos.
Special mention has to go to Riff-Raff. Possibly one of the greatest unheralded rock classics ever. It's on par with Queen's "Dead on Time" for me. The late 70s were a great time for this kind of music and it never feels dated.
The staples are there: Rock? Check. Girls? Check. Sex? Check. There's even a song about heroin addiction (Gone Shootin') though it's probably the weakest offering.
They're not reinventing the wheel here, to be sure. And I, for one am getting a little sick of the stupid album covers. This one is particularly bad. I imagine that it caused not a few people to avoid the album. But, it's more than a solid effort. It's the best of their catalogue so far, and after "Let There Be Rock", that's saying something.
Grade A
A Side: Rock and Roll Damnation (an album opener if I've ever heard one)
Blindside: Riff Raff (Do yourself a favor, listen to this and tell me if you don't wish Harmonix would put out an AC/DC version of Rock Band.
Downside: None. There isn't a bad song on the album.
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