AC/DC
"High Voltage"
1976, ATCO
AC/DC started off with a whimper, rather than a bang. "High Voltage" is a competent set of 70s hard rock, but lacks the speed and attitude of AC/DC's best albums. Still, the album is consistent and Bon Scott's vocals are occasionally menacing. More inspired versions of "T.N.T." and "High Voltage" can be found on "If You Want Blood" and "AC/DC Live".
RATING: 6.5
"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
1976, ATCO
"Dirty Deeds" was released in Australia back in 1976, but didn't reach the US until 1981. It is by far, the least "serious" of all AC/DC albums (although "serious" is not a good word to describe ANY of AC/DC's music), which is evident in the quality of some tracks. While there are many good songs (the immortal title track, "Big Balls", "Problem Child", "Ride On"), there are also a couple of lazy filler tracks that seem tacked on in order to make this into a full-length album, instead of an EP. No matter, though. This album kicks!
RATING: 8
"Powerage"
1978, Atlantic
"Powerage" is probably the most under-rated AC/DC album of all time. While "Sin City" is the only "classic" song on the album (a bloody injustice, if ya ask me), the record, as a whole, simply rocks! "Kicked In The Teeth", "Rock And Roll Damnation", and "Down Payment Blues" are forgotten gems of the Bon Scott era. Hot on the heels of this release came the band's first live album, "If You Want Blood", which contains a chaotic, unhinged performance of classic AC/DC material.
RATING: 9
"If You Want Blood...You've Got It!"
1978, Atlantic Records
Don't ask me what the title means, because I don't have a clue (if it's a double entendre, it's one of the few I haven't heard yet). I don't really care though, because this live album is a serious ass scorcher! AC/DC sounds wild as hell and their sound is as heavy as it's ever been. Kicking off with "Riff Raff", this ensemble of demented diminutive Aussies cuts a swath through your speakers and only lets up during "The Jack" (a slow bluesy cut about VD angst =). The live performances of "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be", "Problem Child", and "Let There Be Rock" absolutely walk all over the original studio versions! Only the mid-tempo stumbling of "Rocker" (originally a fast, punky tune) falls short of greatness, but with so many other good things going on, not many people should notice.
RATING: 9
"Highway To Hell"
1979, Atco
What praise can I give this immortal album that hasn't been said a million times before? Track for track, this may be THE best heavy album of all time. Only the jittery groove of "Beating Around The Bush" fails to make the hair on my neck stand up with sheer ecstasy. However, that leaves us with 9 tracks of hard rock brilliance. The title track opens up this killer testosterone-fest with it's immortal riff and chorus (If you've never heard the song before, what fucking planet are you from, man??), then immediately plunges into the speedy "Girls Got Rhythm". But it's the record's second side that makes for the best listening experience. "Shot Down In Flames", "Get It Hot", and "If You Want Blood" all ride a catchy, salacious grooves and the slower closing tracks ("Love Hungry Man" and "Night Prowler") also rock. If you are among the non-converted, please pick up this vital release and get turned on to heavy metal. It's not all about spandex and pentagrams...in fact, hardly any good metal is about that kind of stuff!
RATING: 10
Back to A thru M
HOME
