Review - Black Ice

Artist: AC/DC
Album: Black Ice
Record Label: Epic
Producer(s): Brendan O'Brien
Release date: 10/20/2008
Genre: Hard Rock
Strong points: Straight out, no bull, Rock N' Roll. Has excellent guitar work by the Young brothers, and emphatic singing by Brian Johnson.
Weak Points: AC/DC still doesn't know how to write lyrics that make any sense. Some songs are a bit on the lame side.
Technical score: A-
Artistic score: B-
Final score (Not an average):B+
Moral warnings: In typical AC/DC fashion, innuendo plays a big part of the lyrics, with the majority of the songs hinting at sex in some way or shape. “Smash and Grab” hints at theft, while “Black Ice” has the line "Gouge your eyes out."

AC/DC was formed in 1973, with a line-up of Angus Young on lead guitar, Malcom Young on rhythm guitar, Larry Von Kreidt on bass, Colin Burgess on drums, with Dave Evans as the singer. They never made any recording with this line-up, electing to change the line-up in subsequent years. After going through several bassists and drummers, they settled on Mark Evans on bass, and Phil Rudd on drums. In late-1974, Dave Evans was fired, and Ronald “Bon” Scott was hired. This line-up of Young, Young, Evans, Rudd, and Scott recorded several albums together, including High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and Let There Be Rock. In '78, Cliff Williams replaced Mark Evans as bassist, debuting on the album Powerage. In '79, they recorded Highway to Hell, which is sometimes considered the greatest AC/DC album ever. However, Bon Scott only got to see some of the fame of AC/DC, and he died of “misadventure” (read: alcohol poisoning) in February, 1980.

In mid-1980, AC/DC hired Brian Johnson as their new singer, and the line-up that exists today was formed. In 1983, Phil Rudd left due to “disputes” with fellow band mates; Chris Slade replaced him until 1987, when Phil decided he wanted back in. In 1990, the band released The Razor's Edge and become the top band once again. The last album they recorded before going on a hiatus was Stiff Upper Lip, in 2000.

Now, in 2008, AC/DC has released Black Ice upon the world.

Black Ice sets it off with the first single from the album that the group released, “Rock N Roll Train,” a hard rocking anthem about....well, something. AC/DC's weakest point is lyricism, and it shows through when you read the lyrics. “Big Jack” has a catchy riff that you might find going through your head. “War Machine,” the band's second single, starts with an impending drum beat that gradually leads into the guitar. The song “Spoilin' for a Fight” has an absolutely flooring intro and main riff that will leave you stunned. “Stormy May Day” is quite possibly the best song on the album, with ominous lyrics and a smooth slide guitar.

This album is not, however, without its flaws. Songs such as “Wheels,” “Decibel,” “Rock N Roll Dream,” and “Anything Goes” seem more like filler than enjoyable rock songs. With uninspired riffing and just plain wacky lyrics, these songs are reason enough to use the “next” button on your music player, as you will likely be bored to no end with them. In a bit of a disappointment, the title track “Black Ice” is one of the weaker songs on the record.

There are some tracks that aren't bad per se, but they aren't great either. “Skies on Fire”, while a good song, just didn't seem to evoke the same emotions the other tracks did. The same is also true of “Smash N Grab,” “She Likes Rock N Roll,” “Money Made” and “Rocking all the Way.”

Is Black Ice a worthy contribution to the AC/DC library? Will it allow you to “rock again,” as the Wal-Mart ads say? Yes and yes. While this isn't the strongest AC/DC disc, it is one of the better albums they have released. If you don't mind some innuendo and some very poor lyricism, then you should consider Black Ice to your library.

Album highlights:
“Rock N Roll Train”
“Big Jack”
“Spoilin' for a Flight”
“Stormy May Day”

-Travis Martin