Am I on the highway to hell?
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Topic: Am I on the highway to hell?
Posted By: Peter
Subject: Am I on the highway to hell?
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 10:05
 No, I'm not talking about the irritating, all-too-common inability to deal with the mechanics of basic English around here. 
I'm referring to the fact that last week, I went out and bought these two CDs:
  Some of you might well be shocked at my purchase (this heavy stuff verges upon being -- gasp! -- metal), and admittedly ACDC are a band I've mostly avoided "like the plague" until now.
I say mostly. I've always dug their high energy, hard-rockin' gee-tar sound, and I did own a vinyl copy of Fly On The wall way back when -- it was the "Won't Get Fooled Again"-like riff in "Sink The Pink" that made me capitulate -- but those screamin' vocals! Those sexist, simplistic, schoolboy lyrics! Oh dear!
 Well, I don't know if I'm in mid-life crisis mode, or if I've just lightened up in my old age, but this stuff is GREAT hard-rockin' fun! How could any Zeppelin fan ignore these guys?
Cheeky song titles like 'Beating Around the Bush," "Get It Hot,"Shoot to Thrill," "Givin the Dog a Bone," and (my fave) "Let Me Put My Love Into You" (ha!
 ) make me grin, and that lethal, monumental two-guitar attack! Massive drums! No ballads! PAAAAAAARRRRRRRDEEEEEE!   So, who else out there digs these guys? Which other albums are essential?What's next for me, I wonder? Deaf mental?A thread about my favourite growlers?  (Don't hold your breath for that one....) ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Replies:
Posted By: Evans
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 10:07
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I have heard very little, but what i heard, i dug. Angus young plays guitar like a guitar was meant to be played. And it sounds good too.
------------- 
'Let's give it another fifteen seconds..' |
Posted By: WaywardSon
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 10:25
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I think it´s a middle age thing, the same thing happened to me!
Last year I bought "Back in Black" and "Let there be rock", I think I needed a break from serious music.
Although the music is quite straight forward and the drumming is very basic, it has that party feel and I felt part of the mainstream, instead of a lonely old progger!
It´s uplifting and makes you feel like socializing more!
Peter,The two albums you bought are probably their best, just add "Let there be rock" and your collection is complete.
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Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 10:37
I still prefer the early albums ... High Voltage and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.
------------- https://awesomeprog.com/release-polls/pa" rel="nofollow - Release Polls Listened to: 
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Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 10:51
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Don't be ashamed. Sometimes you just want to put on something that just kicks down the door of your psyche without pretentions or excuses and AC/DC is the remedy. I own Back in Black for just such an occasion and when "For Those About to Rock" comes on the radio I fire those cannons with absolute glee! ------------- "Literature is well enough, as a time-passer, and for the improvement and general elevation and purification of mankind, but it has no practical value" - Mark Twain |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 11:46
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Their entire catalogue is in my collection, ergo, they are prog. For Those About To Rock We Salute You would be a good addition as well. ------------- 
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 11:50
| You gotta love a band with song titles like that, almost as good as Whitesnake's "Slide It In". |
Posted By: jimmy_row
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 13:18
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I really like a lot of the Bon Scott era, especially High Voltage. The song titles are priceless, my faves are Beating Around the Bush and Big Balls...the censorship folks must've hated these blokes. ------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike |
Posted By: pelican
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 13:36
| I owned Both of those Albums on vinyl when I was 12. I used to play them constantly. I can only take them sparingly now a-days. But their old stuff was good - in my opinion. |
Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 20:23
| There comes a time when you have to give the brain a rest and let just sink straight down into your spine unfiltered. Those AC/DC albums and some of the early Van Halen releases are excellent for that. |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 20:28
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* shows f_cking devil hands * |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 20:53
 ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Atavachron wrote:Posted By: zappaholic
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 21:13
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Great records both. The best Bon Scott album and the best Brian Johnson album, conveniently released back to back.
------------- "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." -- H.L. Mencken |
Posted By: bhikkhu
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 22:24
Ashamed? The only thing you shoud be ashamed of is that it took you this long to get them. Two of the greatest rock albums ever made, and constant staples of my music arsenal. Well done Peter. 
Here's my favorite version of the "Highway to Hell" cover. 
 ------------- a.k.a. H.T. http://riekels.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow - http://riekels.wordpress.com |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 23:46
| Yes you are on the Highway To Hell and if you pick up Powerage you will find the route to be very scenic. |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 23:51
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The Bon stuff is the stuff to get. Back in Black was alright as well, but after that? Never has a band made such a living repeating themselves with more forgiveness from their fan base.
------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 08 2008 at 23:52
isn't that the truth... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: ES335
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 00:01
Apparently you guys have never heard of the Ramones.
I own Back in Black, a 70's Kiss compilation and a 70's Nugent compilation for dire mid-life emergencies.
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 00:01
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now have an urge to hear THE AC/DCsong .... to end all songs... Whole Lotta Rosie... yeah...... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: keiser willhelm
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 01:07
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early stuff for me, though in small doses otherwise the three power chords angus plays kinda fade into one another. Big Balls is a must, as is Thunderstruck. ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah.... THUNDER!!! genius.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/KeiserWillhelm" rel="nofollow - What im listening to |
Posted By: Zargus
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 02:53
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Yeah Bon scott was the Man, love the early albums with him. ------------- 
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Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 03:41
 
------------- https://awesomeprog.com/release-polls/pa" rel="nofollow - Release Polls Listened to:
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Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 05:36
Nice going, dude. Up the Aussies!!!! If you want another one, look for the gold colored sleeve of For Those About to Rock. No more Bon Scott there of course (  ), but a great album. Have to say I'm a bit biased there, maybe, because it was my first AC/DC album, and because I spent a great time on the first row during a Monsters of Rock AC/DC gig with a pretty young lady some 15 years ago where they shot 21 (!) cannons during the title track of that album.....Seriously though, a nice bit of Angus (not beef) is very appreciable every once in a while!  ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Mourndark
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 07:37
| I love AC/DC - the music is akin to voltage to be put across your brain. There's a raw energy to it. I have to recommend Powerage as well to those two fine albums. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 11:56
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I used to love AC/DC and now I still like em ut not as much. honestly I would be more worried if you only listened to prog and immediatley hated every other types of music. People need to realize that their are other good types of music besides prog. But prog is amazingly awesome. |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 12:04
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Ok Peter, why in hell are you ashamed? Even thouh I like more the Bon Scott version of AC/DC, always have an availlable copy of Back in Black, outstanding album, especially "Hell's Bells" good material.
Iván ------------- 
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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 12:13
| I'm only up to High Voltage from Bon and perhaps Powerage. And from Brian Back in Black and Ballbreaker and perhaps Razors Edge.. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 12:20
| If your heading to AC/DC....... I would recommend you to listen some of KISS first material especially their debut and Hotter than Hell. Alice Cooper School's Out and Billion Dollar Babie too. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 12:25
| Oh and Alice Cooper's Muscle of Love and Welcome to my Nightmare. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 12:38
| Oh I almost forgot... Jailbreak 74 from AC/DC is fantastic. Ok they're 5 songs but still great. Hard bluesy rock. |
Posted By: cookieacquired
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 12:45
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I used to be a bigger AC/DC fan, but back in black and highway to hell are still good albums.
Oh yea, and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is wicked fun too
 , like the title track of it is------------- 
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Posted By: tillo
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 13:55
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Sniff!, I started on music with "Highway to hell" and still I listen to it. This is a must on any music collector.
Congratulations for your choice.
 Let there be rock also rules!!!!!!!!!!!!! watch the video clip. You'll see the beginning of rock music and the first 'rock priest', awesome!!! ------------- please, visit http://roberto-land.myminicity.es/ |
Posted By: BroSpence
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 15:03
| All the albums up to Highway were great. Simple riffs with a great beat and a really kick ass singer. I don't know why Johnson was decided as the replacement because he sounds awful. I can't stand any AC/DC after 1979. With the exception of the first minute of Thunderstruck. The only real problem with early AC/DC is those horrible slow songs like The Jack. Talk about crap! |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 16:16
| One thing that makes at least the early albums unique is, I don't believe you'll EVER hear the drummer do any kind of fill. It is just always the beat. |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 16:37
Ivan, guys, I'm not ashamed for liking ACDC, or any of the varied forms of music I like. I'm no snooty progsnob (though I was for a while as a teen) -- prog makes up less than 20% of my collection, the vast majority of which is classic rock, 80s rock/pop, etc. Like I said, I've always liked ACDC's hard rockin, guitar-driven sound -- but as with Rush in recent years, I've just finally "come to terms" with the higher-pitched vocals, which was what had kept me away from the band in the past.
ACDC make me happy, and I like music to make me happy. It's raw rock and roll energy, and it goes straight to the feet and hips. I was just having a bit of fun with the title of this thread, and my image here as one who is known for disdaining metal (which ACDC are arguably close to).
Thanks to all who responded, and especially for all the suggestions for other ACDC albums.
You know, I hadn't even realized that Bon Scott was on Highway to Hell. I had thought it was the same singer as on Back In Black (I think that Johnson was therefore a great replacement -- I hadn't noticed the difference, but now that you guys have pointed it out, I can hear it.)
Thanks again -- I salute you all!
 Yeah, Ivan, Hell's Bells is a standout, powerful track. You've got to love that dark atmospheric opening, with the bell and guitar!  I've always loved that -- but now I even sing along! ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 16:47
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AC/DC!
One of my favorite bands!
Yes, Im serious!
For Those About To Rock, Let There Be Rock and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap are my favorite albums from them (other than HTH and BiB, which are their masterpieces). Essential stuff, especially for starters! ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 16:52
Alice was one of the very first rock acts I ever got into as a kid (I'm 47 years old -- there's not much classic rock I'm not familiar with), just before I moved on to prog. I had lots of AC on vinyl (including those two albums), but I just kind of outgrew it. (I don't have any on CD.) School's Out was my favourite song around age 12-13.Kiss I've never liked. They were always just too basic musically, and "cartoonish," image-wise for me -- but to each his own. ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 16:55
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Oh man, we have an admin MSN conference in 5 minutes - and I'll be playing AC/DC all the way through.... Thanks for reminding me of these great guys, Peter ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: February 09 2008 at 17:25
| I think that Brian Johnson was a good replacement. On albums like back in black, for those about to rock, flick of the switchhis voice is great. His voice has become much worse now and he can barely sing.I think it was because of him smoking. Their last album stiff upper lip is also good album, as well as the razors edge. |
Posted By: Zargus
Date Posted: February 11 2008 at 04:55
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Thos 2 are the best AC/DC albums in my opininon. Thier best studio and live album, must have stuff! -------------
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Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: February 11 2008 at 06:37
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I love the Bon era the best. At the moment, Down Payment Blues is my favourite Acka/Dacka song. ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: Gamemako
Date Posted: February 11 2008 at 20:00
The Aussies do a lot of things right, but music just isn't one of them. 
------------- Hail Eris! 
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Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: February 11 2008 at 23:27
Geez -- are you serious?
Do you think they are all the same, and that you can validly just write off all of the music of an entire country and continent like that?
How many Aussie acts do you know well?
Admittedly, I don't know a ton, but besides ACDC (whom I find to be great unpretentious, kick-ass fun) I like:
Midnight Oil
Mental As Anything
Paul Kelly
Go-Betweens
INXS
Icehouse
Divinyls
Nick cave
Dead Can Dance
Goanna
Some would include Split Enz and Crowded House (plus solo Tim Finn, and the Finn Brothers), but while I like them a lot, they're from New Zealand, as far as I know.
Finally, before they went disco
 and down the commercial toilet, the Bee Gees had some pretty essential pop songs in the 60s.All in all, not too bad for such a far-away country, with a relatively small population, I think.
Don't know about that Vegemite stuff, though....
   Yeast extract? Shouldn't that be ALCOHOL?  Hmmm... a little reseach indicates that Vegemite is an "acquired taste," that "not many non-Australians acquire the taste (finding it too salty)" and that it is very rich in vitamin B, and that it IS in fact "made from the yeast leftovers of the beer-making process."
Hmmmm.... ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: February 12 2008 at 02:22
Have you heard many Australian bands? Here are some great Prog Aussie bands:
1.- Windchase: Excellent soft 70's Symphonic bands, it's the central point between Genesis and Camel,
2.- Galadriel: Very eclectic band, it's in Folk becausev of the clear Jethro Thul elemets, but they blend Jazz, Psyche and Hard Rock very efficiently.
3.- Brainstorm: For those interested in new forms of Space Rock, very good also.
4.- Rainbow Theatre: One of the excellent Symphonic bands from the 70's, Fantasy of Horses is nothing less than a masterpiece, Armada is also excellent, a must have.
5.- McKenzie Theory: If you like Fusion, you can't miss this band, especially Out of the Blue, essential.
And I could follow, Australia has some very good bands and the great thing is that while most of the world was starting to open to Prog in the early 70's, Australians were playing already quality material.
Iván -------------
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Posted By: jimmy_row
Date Posted: February 12 2008 at 10:15
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...and Sebastian Hardie and The Master's Apprentices were pretty good too ------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike |
Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: February 12 2008 at 16:14
Angus, Malcolm and Bon were born in Scotland. Cliff Williams and Brian Johnson are English. Phil Rudd, the other longest-serving member, is Australian. ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 13 2008 at 15:44
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Ac/Dc and INXS are one of those bands that I have a lot of respect I'll never say they're amazing but still very good stuff. Ac/Dc simple but very good riffs and vocals. INXS sensational new wave. Love those aussies bands
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Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: February 13 2008 at 15:54
------------- |
Posted By: MHDTV
Date Posted: February 15 2008 at 12:51
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ACDC kinda' sucks...But it can be fun when in a large group. ------------- Freak yo' swerve |
Posted By: everyone
Date Posted: February 21 2008 at 14:40
I thought they were the bisexual band. 
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Posted By: Statutory-Mike
Date Posted: February 21 2008 at 15:11
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AC/DC was the first REAL band I ever got into...and I still listen to them everyday.
AC/DC essentials you MUST get are: -Powerage
-Let there be Rock
-The Razors Edge
-High Voltage
oh bloody hell..the entire collection is amazing...also if you're going to pick up a dvd by them deffinitley go for the new one "Plug Me In"
It's all pure high voltage rock n roll ------------- 
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: February 21 2008 at 15:13
I don't like beer but maybe it goes well with beer or something. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 21 2008 at 16:09
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This is my pick of Ac/Dc albums that anyone who likes Ac/Dc must have these:
High Voltage (pure rock n roll with classic blues roots) Let there be Rock or Powerage or Highway to Hell (any of your choice) Back in Black The Razors Edge Ballbreaker |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 07:35
Highway To Hell is in my humble opinion, one of the few albums to actually deserve the label "Classic"; it captured the band at the height of their powers, from the chain saw vocals (and schoolboy lyrics) of Bon Scott, through the tightest rhythm section in history of Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams & Phil Rudd and even to the one-string-guitar-solo factory that was Angus Young, there's not a poor track on the album, no fillers, no ballads, just straight ahead rock n roll. I defy anyone's ability (no matter what their age  ) to resist dusting off the ol' air guitar.
Never saw them with Scott, but I was there at Hammersmith in 1980 for the first night of the Back In Black tour... my neck ached for days... ------------- 
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 08:04
it does not go well with beer, it goes with beer ONLY! or any other alcoholic beverage provided it is taken in large quantities -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: MHDTV
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 18:47
Phil Rudd is a horrible drummer, and Cliff Williams is hardly a great bassist... ------------- Freak yo' swerve |
Posted By: jontalisman
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 19:01
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Yes, you're on the highway but, as Bon says, "Hell ain't a bad place to be!" ------------- http://acdcnews.com - Visit AC/DC News! http://bon-scott.org - The Bon Scott Club |
Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 06:06
They are perfect for AC/DC. It just wouldn't work with a rhythm section of Bruford/Levin or Moon/Entwistle or Vander/Top or Peart/Lee or (insert favourite prog drummer and bass player here). ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 07:57
| Like most here I prefer the Bon era and Back in Black being their best of the the Johnson years but For Those About to Rock is a great album too. Stiff Upper Lip is a partial return to form and although Ballbreaker was patchy it does include the excellent Boogie Man. |
Posted By: jontalisman
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 10:51
Well said. Phil keeps reliable time with simple but perfect fills at just the right moment. AC/DC is built on a solid foundation of rhythms and riffs thanks to Malcolm, Cliff and Phil. ------------- http://acdcnews.com - Visit AC/DC News! http://bon-scott.org - The Bon Scott Club |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 11:16
| Having Ac/Dc in one hand that will never be my fave or best band. Having very simple musicianship, having the drums and bass always the same except with few exceptions with the graet Jailbreak 74 and High Voltage my faves. Although with low musicianship they could create a new revolution of hard rock fans totally different from the much complex Led Zep, Sabbath and Purple. Together Ac/Dc with Nazareth, Motorhead's debut, Ram Jam, Alice Cooper, Kiss first 2 albums, others. Having Ac/Dc in my discography I couldn't compare them to the first innovators of hard rock just simply saying they're a very good hard rock band from aussie! Many people may be confused with good musicianship with being popular. Cause perhaps Back in Black may be the 2nd most sold album from the world or USA but it can't simply compare with Machine Head, Fireball, In Rock, Led Zep I up to IV, Sabbath, Sabbath bloody Sabbath, Sabotage, Paranoid and many more. |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: February 25 2008 at 09:46
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Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: February 26 2008 at 12:26
In response to MHDTV I never said Rudd/Williams were great musicians, I said they were tight. Na paradiddles, no flams, no polyrhythms, just straight ahead 4/4 with Malcolm Young churning out the main riff on top... ...and never missing a beat. Sometimes feel substitutes very well for cold technique. -------------
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: February 26 2008 at 19:56
| ^^ Agreed. Just listen to the groove they create on Gone Shootin'. |
Posted By: Kid-A
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 09:25
Spot on.
AC/DC is just all about fun! That's what makes them so great. Theres not a drop of protention in them, which as a prog fan sometimes makes a welcome change of pace. Plus if you play guitar it's so much fun to endlessly play their riffs. ------------- 
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Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 11:10
Please note, I have not read all the previous posts ... IMHO, the best album of the post Mutt Lange era is Stiff Upper Lip. Ballbreaker was eclectic for AC/DC but had little in the way of classic AC/DC r n r, Razor's Edge has Thunderstruck and frankly not much else that ranks with their best, Blow up your Video was confirmation of their comeback that started with Fly on the Wall, Flick of the Switch is hardcore, but suffered from a few uninspired moments (Rising Power, Nervous Shakedown). In all cases, I wonder what a Mutt would have done as none have the guitar tones that the Bon Scott era & Mutt Lange albums displayed. I have them all, love them all, but can see why each has its current status. P.S. Dirty Deeds standing (sales-wise & mainstream appeal) is mostly due to the fact of the its' re-release coming on the heels of BIB & FTATR. Believe it or not, its U.S. sales rival or beat Highway to Hell and Let There be Rock. But then so does Razor's Edge. ------------- "Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case. |
Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 11:22
Er, not being one to see sales as THE ultimate determinant of one album or act's superiority over another, I do have to declare in my most polecat-ish yowl that Back in Black, while not my Fave AC/DC disc, is THE hard rock / Rock n Roll album. Yes, the others mentioned merit equal billing. But BIB carries the day in the broadness of its' appeal. Machine Head has Smoke on the Water - the by now DNA encoded riff. Zep IV has Stairway that has now become overplayed & outlasted its' status of best & most popular rock song. Sabbath still have their metal/doom edge as a failing with many. Not to say that Sab are deservedly a Pantheon act, just that AC/DC is beyond Sab as a cultural icon. Naz never really matched AC/DC for songwriting. Ram Jam (???) had one great song, a cover. Mo'head are compatriots of Angus & Malcolm for the punk aspect of their hard rock sound, But again. over all the songwriting is no match on a consistent basis. Alice quickly became about the show, not the song. Kiss quickly became kitsch (Rock n Roll over is the dividing line. And as for the musicianship ... the best line I ever heard about this is the one where it is claimed that John Paul & George got more people playing guitar than any of the so-called virtuosos. And the best guitar line/solo is in Something. ------------- "Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case. |
Posted By: MHDTV
Date Posted: March 01 2008 at 01:31
This is such an annoying argument. Just because they can keep 4/4 time doesn't mean they have feel. ------------- Freak yo' swerve |
Posted By: rudderhead
Date Posted: March 04 2008 at 13:34
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I think AC/DC is still the greatset heavy metal in the world. Allthough they may sound simple its difficult to play it. They are also not just simply fun but they also got a lot of depth to it. Much more more than those emotionless bands like Dream Theater and Kamelot. I also think they dont just repeat themselves. Back in Black sounds very differentthan to High voltage and dont forget mid-80s fecords like Flick of the switch, Fly on the wall, Blow up your video. I you like this try Accept, Saxon, Krokus, most of the NWOBHM-bands AC/DC doesnt sound like Kiss they sound more like Judas Priest and Scorpions or Ted Nugent. |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: March 05 2008 at 07:21
I agree 100% - any half decent session drummer can keep 4/4; cold, clinical & on the beat - however, a drummer who only plays 4/4 (and lets face it, that means most drummers...) doesn't necessarily deserve:
Again, whilst I agree with
Face it - within AC/DC he doesn't need to be (imagine them with Jaco Pastorius or Dave Holland ).
No, my point (poorly explained) is the Young/Williams/Rudd rhythm section of classic AC/DC worked well together & it was their tightness on down & dirty riffs which gave the band their unique sound and (here comes that word again - sorry ) feel-------------
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: rudderhead
Date Posted: March 05 2008 at 18:59
| I totally agree with that one. Heavy metal drumming isnt supposed to be complex as long as you can bang your head |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: March 05 2008 at 19:16
I'm really mad with you Rudderhead... Judas Priest similar to Ac/Dc????!!!! Do you listen to the music when you play on the CD or LP?! Scorpions perhaps I can accept you, but really think it's a really bad band. And hey! Rudderhead I wasn't giving exactly same bands or influenced band from Ac/Dc just giving something nearly from the same year with same type of hard rock sound. Try out Cooper's School's Out or Billon Dollar Babies or Muscle of Love, they have that feeling from Scott's early era. And then Kiss's even though may take them as a joke, even I used to, even though they're not a band I listen frequently but still, their debut and Hotter than Hell actually quite good if you're talking to Scott's early era. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: March 05 2008 at 19:19
Okay I can accept Ac/Dc same rythm section, I never said it was bad, but it really can be compared to Zep's Sabbath's or Purple's.... And I agree that Ac/Dc rythm section fits perfect, but still, if your get used to prog, you may be expecting at least a small good bass line or drum section. Right?! |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: March 06 2008 at 03:36
Good God No! 
The last thing you want when you're headbanging is something which makes you think... That could be dangerous!-------------
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: ClassicRocker
Date Posted: March 07 2008 at 11:26
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AC/DC is truly an essential band for a rock fan (a little more enjoyable if you don't listen to the radio) and I own the two albums you just bought, Peter, as well as Dirty Deeds. If you don't have that one, it's definitely worth checking out, solely for the title track, the cool and bluesy "Ride On", and my personal favorite AC/DC song, "Big Balls" - the greatest double-entendre in rock history (probably wouldn't have been out of place in the film Rocky Horror Picture Show! ) Also, the Live album (from 1992) is surprisingly good, with some other essential tunes like "Thunder Struck", "Moneytalks", "T.N.T.", and "For Those About To Rock". The rest of the material has great renditions and Brian Johnson does an honorable job singing Scott's songs ------------- 
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Posted By: rudderhead
Date Posted: March 07 2008 at 16:43
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Live 92 is indeed is a great live album. I think Chris Slade drumming makes the songs go faster. |
Posted By: rudderhead
Date Posted: March 08 2008 at 16:37
| Bon Scott is the Metal God |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: March 08 2008 at 19:25
what about dave evans lol. watch one of the vids with him as a singer. He is terrible.. Glad they replaced him with bon. |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 19:46
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Thought I'd resurrect this old thread of mine to bring all of you fellow AC/DC fans up to date on my well-advanced journey down that good ol' highway to hell -- or hard rock happiness.
I now have NINE (
!) AC/DC CDs! (ACDCCDOD?) My dear wife says I'm obsessed -- but she likes 'em too. This hard-rockin geetar-driven good time band MAKES ME HAPPY!Here's what I have so far, with my thoughts on each:
High Voltage -- great, essential starter. Love the bluesier feel. Many essentials here: It's a Long way to the Top, the title track, and the hilarious The Jack are worth the cash alone!
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap -- more classic, essential tunes here (like the ubiquitous title track), but perhaps the weakest of the Bon Scott era, overall. My fave tracks: Ain't No fun (Waitin' Round to be a Millionaire), Squealer, and the atypical, slower, introspective & moodier Ride On -- a tasty track which also appeals to the biker in me.
Powerage -- my definite favourite thus far (Highway to Hell is a strong second). I LOVE this one! So many infectious guitar hooks! Stand-out songs include Rock & Roll Damnation, the superb Down Payment Blues, Riff Raff, Sin City (ladders give -- sssnakes take!
), the oddly-"lyriced" What's Next to the Moon, and Kicked In the Teeth. I swear, Down Payment Blues is one of the best damn R&R songs EVER! I love how it starts, and then rocks along. Great R&R/blues lyrics too!If You Want Blood You've Got It -- great live album. (Thanks to our Mike enR. for the rec.) Bon & Angus & the boys in their prime, & at their sh*t-kickin' best! Great versions of many early classics. A guitar through the chest!
Must have been a KILLER live act in their heyday! The anthemic Let There Be Rock, and the heavyweight Whole Lotta Rosie are particularly fine.Highway to Hell -- number 2 on my list. My fave numbers are Girls Got Rhythm (
 lack of apostrophe courtesy of the band), the title track, Get It Hot and Shot Down In Flames -- that riff! What a freakin' COOL opening! I dare you not to at least tap your foot -- if not indeed pump your fist, reach for your air guitar, and dance around the room! Ah-one-two! Woo! Back in Black -- Hell's Bells (love that bell -- one of the coolest, most menacing openings in rock history!), Givin the Dog a Bone (tee hee -- what could he mean, "she's using her head again"?), the dance floor standard you Shook Me All Night Long, and the title track.
For Those About To Rock -- not particularly strong, for my tastes. The rousing title track and Let's get It Up are pretty darned good though.
Fly On the Wall -- many fans don't care much for the 80s efforts, but I find this to be solid, and as Johnson-era ACDC goes, at least as strong as B in B, if not better. Great tracks include Shake Your Foundations, Sink the Pink (love that Who-ripoff riff & always have... though the lyrical metaphor escapes me...
), Playin With Girls and the evil Back In Business. Led Zep influences abound on this fine album!The Razors Edge <-- the boys aren't big on apostrophes, are they? Sloppy punctuation aside, a good latter-day album, with some very strong cuts. Thunderstruck, Fire Your Guns, Rock your Heart Out and the very catchy, almost poppy Money Talks are all essential for this fan! (Is it just me though, or is Johnson's helium-huffing, tortured tomcat, fingernails-on-the-blackboard squeal deteriorating by this juncture? Can we call them a metal band by this point? Verging on it?
Next, I want to get Let there Be Rock -- what do you think?I haven't heard the new one yet -- have you?
In all, I prefer the Bon Scott era. I think the songs were hookier, happier, and had wittier lyrics. I also much prefer Bon as a singer. I can understand his words, and -- gosh darn it -- sometimes Johnson's screechy voice is just too much for these old ears.
 AC/DC: Great rock & roll -- great fun!
 And not in the least "prog" -- or even "related!" ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 19:57
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Let There Be Rock is definitely Ok. Haven't heard the knew one either, you might want to have a listen before you decide... ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 19:58
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heard some off the new'un, mighty good |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 20:02
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oh and that live one they put out about ten years back is terrific |
Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 20:27
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My avatar says it all. Brian's time includes some pretty good albums, but more filler. And the new one is pretty good. As far as repeating themselves, Angus says it saves time when you just have to think up the name. They have no pretentions to artiness. And just like the Ramones, Motorhead, and many other idiot boogie madmen, if you love one album, you may well like all of them. Heck, if you need an album by album recommendation, or even on a per song basis, PM me, and I'll give you the straight poop on it all. ------------- "Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case. |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 21:29
But why does it take them YEARS just to think up the name, when the riffs these days are so tired?
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Posted By: febus
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 21:44
| As i wrote in the other AC/DC thread,,,,at first listen sounds same ol', same ol' but it's getting better after further listenings...............especially towards the end track 10 to 15! |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 23:12
Yeah that's right, DBG, it's just straightforward, hard-hitting, high energy, feel-good rock & roll, on the tried & true themes of women, booze, geetars, partying, women, cars & women. Works for me! Good for driving, getting pumped up in the morning, drinking beer, chopping wood, dancing around the room.... Gettin' DOWN! I also really appreciate these digipak re-masters. You get esthetically pleasing shatter-proof packaging, great sound, oodles of extra photos, a professional write up of each album and its history -- and all for a bargain price. All nine of my CDs were just $9.99 Canadian. That's about half the price of a regular CD!
Re your generous offer (in blue) to share your uber-fan knowledge, as I'm far from the only ACDC fan here, I'd appreciate it if you'd share it here, in this thread. For starters, would you please tell me (and whoever else might appreciate it) more about the 80s-90s albums I haven't listed? ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: BroSpence
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 02:23
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Happened to me a few years ago, only I'm significantly young than middle-aged. I was and half-am on an anti-Ac/Dc thing. Bon Scott was awesome, and so was the band when he was with them. Brian Johnson is not and neither was the band's music after Scott died. I also think the band has the ability to write great rocking songs, but extremely awful, poor, slow songs. Those ones should be bannished. Like The Jack. *trembles!*. What a torture piece that one is/was. It ruins the High Voltage album for me. That being said you should definitely get the "Powerage" album. Its saaahhhhhweeeeeeeeeeeet. Good riffs, grooves, and songs. it will rock you all night long.
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Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 21:47
No No, that's just you being worn down. Think of it as a multi part suite with constantly repeating motifs  ------------- "Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case. |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 23:02
well there's no doubt I'm worn down. But when I want to listen to some AC/DC I always find myself going back to the earlier stuff. Think of the Sin City/What's Next to the Moon/Gone Shootin' threesome. I hear moments of that on Stiff Upper Lip but not many.
I think FZ's 'conceptual continuity' perhaps is relevant here
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Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: November 04 2008 at 22:18
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That's been the problem with those 70s rockers who hit mega big and continued to have massive success in the 90s. Aerosmith, Kiss, AC/DC, all put out albums with some great songs, a few good ones, and more than a few fillers if you were even slightly discerning. When you're big enough, nobody tells you no. Aerosmith had the ballad years. Kiss, well, Kiss Corp. says it all, or rather Kiss Manufacturing, as the "rawness" and raunchiness seemed almost laughable and done by rote. AC/DC did the same. Listen to the "comeback" album Razors Edge, and frankly, 2-3 tunes sound like they played the amps at one, some others sounded like throw-offs (Mistress for Xmas), and the rest made for popular concert staples. Black Ice is as good as they've been since Back in Black. AND best of all, the most consistent. Stiff Upper Lip was good, but a few songs shared the same riffs, and frankly they could have cut the song lst down to ten and made it one of their best. But again, who's going to tell them no ? Even Paul McCartney put out his best in a long time (Chaos & Creativity) when he hired some one specifically to stand up to him and push him. Whether that would be Mutt Lange for Angus & Malcolm ... I don't think so, because he was more into working on the sound, rather than the songs. Exception - emphasis on the crowd sung choruses. And when their material comes out online (not P2P, it's already helped build the group to the top of the rock pile), they'll get strong sales on about 60-70% of the Brian Johnson era songs, with the rest meeting their deserved slide into oblivion (Two's Up anyone ?) ------------- "Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 13:52
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Let there Be Rock is a must if you enjoyed so much Powerage.
If you enjoyed Back in Black and Razors Edge I should highly recomend you Stiff Upper Lip and Ballbreaker. |
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 13:55
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I used to like them, mostly their 70's stuff like "Powerage" & "Let there be Rock". Havn't heard them in what seems like years now. |
Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: November 08 2008 at 20:40
Thanks Cacho, m'man -- that's exactly the sort of recommendation I'm looking for! I guess I've exhausted the Bon Scott era - is there just the one live album from then?
If that is indeed be the case, then I'm interested in second best: the best Brian Johnson-era releases.
(I already have Back in Black, For Those About to Rock, Fly on the Wall & The Razors Edge.) ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: Alberto Muńoz
Date Posted: November 09 2008 at 01:25
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Good stuff i like AC/DC a lot specially his earlier albums, but do not worry too much i recently again to listen these bands after 10+ years: Sodom. specially Obsessed by Crueltry. Kreator: Pleasure to Kill. Destruction: Eternal Devastation. And i'm not ashamed to tell to you all. -------------  |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: November 11 2008 at 18:01
No prob. I'm sure you'll love Let there be Rock, and for Johnson then go with Ballbreaker. But as Debrewguy said, they have repeated riffs, ideas through their career since their peak(commercially) with Highway to Hell. Still they're enjoyable, if not I wouldn't recomend them. Oh, I forgot, I enjoy their bluesy hard rock era=High Voltage, and I know you liked that, better get Jailbreak '74, it has only 5 songs, ok, but they're damn cool and you can hear the drums and bass doing a little bit more active than their usual dull stuff. They're songs taken from the original releases(Aussie release) of Dirty Deeds and High Voltage. |
Posted By: easytargets
Date Posted: November 14 2008 at 06:06
------------- The water rushes over all cities crash in the mighty wave; the final man is very small, plunging in for his final bathe |
Posted By: progrules
Date Posted: November 15 2008 at 09:35
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Just read first and last page of this thread so I don't know if my suggestion has come along so far but I highly recommend the live album "If you want blood ... " an album at which the band was at its peak with a shining Bon Scott. I consider this one of the best live albums ever. Angus Young rules also on this one !
Best studio album is probably Powerage but I don't know them all. Definitely the Bon Scott area is the best ! ------------- A day without prog is a wasted day |