Album Review: Black Ice by AC/DC
Filed under: Music
Album Review: Black Ice by AC/DC
Since I’ve been busy the past few days with previously mentioned things, I’ve decided to release an album review I’ve been working on. This time on AC/DC’s newest album, Black Ice.
I’ll take you through song by song. First off, Rock ‘n Roll Train. Well it was released prior to the album as a single, and to be honest, I think AC/DC made the right choice. This song is filled with classic hard AC/DC chords, with short powerful lyrics. It’s definitely a taste of “retro” rock for those listening to AC/DC for the first time. It’s one of my favourites in the album, but there are a few others in which AC/DC does something new which I like. 8/10 overall.
Numero dos, Skies on Fire. An interesting song… not one of my favourites to be honest. A nice head bopper at best, at worst an irritant in your ears. The best part has to be the nice chorus somewhat reminiscent of the chorus in Smoke on the Water (due to the “sky” part mainly). 6/10 overall.
Third, Big Jack, and this one really is big. AC/DC hits this song off with a few intro songs, then continues their nostalgic music from the past with the lyrics, chords pattern diving you deeper and deeper into the 70s. I liked this one, and I have to say the chorus and solo really bring out the past with a modern twist. 8/10 overall.
Next up, Anything Goes. This was one of the “different” songs I was talking about. In this one AC/DC lowers the tone of the singing, and brings in some really nice lyrics worth listening to. The guitar remains ever-present playing its riff in the background. Things really start to hit off in the solo. Really a different tune from AC/DC. A really bluesy-rockish song. I loved it. 9/10 overall.
War Machine came fifth. Some nice bass lines come as the intro of the song, while reminding some of us of Iron Man due to the bass drum beat. The guitar then brings in a cool, smooth riff, making you bop your head with every beat. Now if this is too un-AC/DC for you, the chorus and lyrics really bring the song back to the band’s roots. 8/10 overall.
Smash n Grab. Not much to be said, a usual AC/DC song, nothing too special. Even the solo is generic AC/DC. That being said, I didn’t like it too much (with the exception of the guitar solo, but as mentioned, you can find that in pretty much any AC/DC song). 4/10 overall.
Spoilin’ For A Fight is next. I really loved this one due to the deep vocals introducing you into the feel of the song with the bass playing throughout. Then comes in the generic vocals+riff pattern. I’d give it a 6 or 7 if not for the really great use of guitar for the melody. I loved the sound it made in this song, and due to that alone I’d give Spoilin’ For A Fight 8/10 overall.
Coming next is Wheels. This was a real toe-tapper for me, I’m not sure what made me like it. Could’ve been the muted guitar chords in the lyrics, or the loud “BAAAAAAM” in throughout. The riff also combines some real nice pre-AC/DC and even pre-Zeppelin chords from the real old days of rock and roll which makes me like the fact that AC/DC is experimenting even today! 9/10 overall.
Its over 9… thousand! Decibel. This is a real funky one, especially the beginning. The guitar riff is really funky, and the vocals are smooth and low compared to usual AC/DC. As you progress it turns the clock back to usual toe-tapping AC/DC with some funky moves on the guitar. Overall, pretty damn nice, 9/10.
Number ten is probably my favourite, Stormy May Day. Why? Because its so damn cool! It combines awesome 70s/80s AC/DC with some really slick and fucking pro blues licks. It’s the best AC/DC song I’ve heard since Back in Black! I absolutely think that this should be one of the favourites. Not only are the licks excellent, but while the guitar wails blues, the vocals echo back with similar lyrics, but only in true AC/DC style. 11/10 overall. Just can’t argue with 110%… and shut up if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking.
Eleventh is She Likes Rock n Roll (which I somewhat doubt in our school (excluding Steph…)). As usual it opens with some nice chords, and then bass pounds in like Stuuuuuuuu (not that many u’s) from Joe Satriani’s tour group. I love the bass lines in this song, its pretty nice to listen to while just having a nice time during the summer, winter, fall, whenever really. Unfortunately, its not all that special, therefore 7/10 overall.
Coming up next is Money Made. This one is also nice. Some cool bluesy riffs, along with a really nice set of lyrics. Surprisingly, while the title turned me off, the lyrics really paid off. Really rang some truth (Colbert reference) through me. Other than that, its a nice song with a few bluesy-rockish guitar sections, and a cool solo. 8/10 overall.
Unlucky thirteen is Rock N Roll Dream. I liked the opening for this song. It was like a band that isn’t AC/DC was playing it due to the fact that there was no strong echoing chords vibrating through your head. In fact its a really quiet song with some nice meaningful lyrics, really giving a damn good change for AC/DC. But as Starfire did for Dragonforce, AC/DC has to go insane at some point, and turn back to their roots (which they do). I liked this one, which gave the exact opposite meaning of number thirteen, but meh. 9/10.
Next is ROckin’ All The Way. I didn’t really find this one anything special. The vocals were average, but there are better songs, meanwhile all the instrunmental parts were rather boring. Surprisingly wasn’t even that much of a headbopper. 5/10.
Last, but definitely not least… BLACK ICE! It’s an album name… and a song name (omgosh!). I liked it. It was a funk riff at the beginning, with some cool rhythmic drumming, making it an overall pleasing song. Vocals, meh, nothing much to say here. I loved the change during the chorus though, it was really interesting. The change in the guitar part was also pretty nice, making a spectacular finale for AC/DC’s latest album. 9/10 overall.
In general, the album experimented with some blues/funk rock, and it turned out nice, but it also had songs for the classic AC/DC fans which I really like. You really need this balance in an album -> new styles, and classic style (*COUGH DRAGONFORCE… TRY SOMETHING NEWWWW!!!!*). I enjoyed it thoroughly, and am looking forward to the concert in January. Overall, 9/10.
And this took me a fucking long while, so you twats can go suck it if you’re going to complain to me.
Posted on October 29th, 2008 by nikola