Search - Ac/Dc :: Back in Black

Yes, it really is as good as they say...

finulanu | Here, there, and everywhere | 10/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's the best AC/DC has to offer, which is ironic because there's no Bon Scott on it - he choked on his vomit and died before these sessions. And the B.S. stuff is usually better than the B.J. stuff. Hey, "B.S."? "B.J."? Yeah, I'm mature... anyway, this is about as good as hard rock can ever get. It rocks 'em good `n' hard! Hits? Radio staples? Oh, I don't know, how about the entire album? You're guaranteed to have heard at least the superlative strut of the title track (with its amazing riff and mind-blowing solo) and my favorite AC/DC song ever, the catchy, so-stupid-it's-brilliant, high-octane rocker "You Shook Me All Night Long" if you've been outside your own bed. You might also know the hilarious, mock-scary (oh, I'm sorry, you were serious when you wrote the line "Satan's coming to you!"? That reminds me of that scene in Spaceballs when Lone Starr, Pizza the Hutt, and Vinnie are talking and Vinnie threatens Lone Starr with "Or else Pizza's gonna call out for you!" Then he starts eating Pizza and says, "You're delicious, boss!" And if you've never seen that movie, that exchange probably will mean nothing to you. So see Spaceballs! It's funny!), still awesome "Hells Bells," with yet another fantastic riff and an ominous tolling church bell intro. Of course, the evangelicals got all in a huff about it. Can't they tell the song is not meant to be taken seriously at all? And you probably also know "Shoot to Thrill," another fantastic song, where Angus channels this awesome guitar tone and the band brims with all kinds of energy. You also may know the over-the-top misogyny of "What Do You Do for Money Honey" (great chorus!), and the slow, creeping "Rock `n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution". These songs, along with the alcoholic hilarity of "Have a Drink on Me" ("don't worry about the bill, we'll have hell to pay!") make up the best of the record, but even when it's lesser, it's good! Check out the wonderful bursts of horny schoolboy enthusiasm "Shake a Leg" and "Given the Dog a Bone". Or the not-so-subtle pseudo-ballad "Let My Put My Love into You," where the group actually uses very little distortion! It's a bit of variety, at least. And it's good! You pretty much can't lose with this album, now that I think about it. This is the standard I judge all hard rock by, and it's definitely AC/DC's peak."