Search - Ac/Dc :: Razors Edge

Quintessential AC/DC--an incredibly ass-kicking album from t

Dave | United States | 09/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've found this album getting some really mixed reviews, which is quite mind-blowing. Unless you're a total Bon Scott worshipper who refuses to give Brian Johnson his due, which of course is a big mistake, no hard rock lover should be without this album.



Originally released in September of 1990, "The Razors Edge" smokes and kicks major ass all over the place--you've got to take your hat off to the late Bruce Fairbairn for his production on this one.



Much has been made that Brian Johnson's voice sounds totally shot on here. Admittedly, by this time, he no longer had the kind of gloriously piercing edge that you can hear in full force on 1981's "For Those About To Rock..." and 1983's "Flick of the Switch". On the other hand, he's still singing his balls off on here in his usual high-pitched register, and he adds greatly to the album's excitement level. There's a certain on-the-edge intensity to his vocals here that really gets under your skin.



The big hit "Thunderstruck", with its classic single-string lead guitar line from Angus Young, gets the album off to a great anthemic start. "Fire Your Guns" is one of those thrilling fast-paced AC/DC gems that really gets the blood flowing. "Money Talks" has something of a barroom rock quality, but don't worry, it's hardly Hootie & the Blowfish, and it's got an incredibly catchy chorus. The arrestingly menacing title track is chillingly powerful. For proof positive that Angus and Malcolm Young are kings of hard rock riffery, you needn't look any further than the stomping "Got You By The Balls"--the main riff is uncanny: deceptively simple and absolutely bone-crunching. The album closes in intensely menacing fashion with the ingeniously crafted stomper "If You Dare". There's a load more excitement to be found as well with the driving "Rock Your Heart Out"; the chugging "Shot Of Love"; and a pair of good-timey party rockers: "Are You Ready" and "Let's Make It". Showing what a roll the boys are on, even the tracks that seem filler-ish work--the 'sleigh bells'-fortified "Mistress For Christmas" is amusingly dumb and irresistibly fun; and "Goodbye And Good Riddance To Bad Luck", with its utterly tossed off main riff, is also solidly amusing and enjoyable.



Metaphorically speaking, the boys are simply on fire here, and the album is thoroughly a blast. If you're looking to, ahem, "Rock Your Heart Out", you can't go wrong with this essential hard rock masterpiece."