AC/DC fans will love it, but will everyone else? (Black Ice - AC/DC)

Member Name: Benjammar

Product:	Black Ice - AC/DC
Date:	02/07/09 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Classic AC/DC

Disadvantages: Far too similar to their old music, no progression or change

Before I get into his album I think I should explain how I stand on AC/DC just so people understand my view. I'm a big fan of AC/DC, I loved some of their previous albums especially the live stuff but I don't own every album and know them like the back of my hand. I'm into their style of music, I was a fan of Iron Maiden, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath before hand so it was no surprise I enjoyed AC/DC. However I wouldn't class myself as an AC/DC maniac, I wouldn't make the effort to go see them live and I have found their music to be quite repetitive sometimes. None the less I was still eagerly awaiting Black Ice, especially as it came 8 years after their previous album in 2000. Albums after long periods of time can be very hit and miss however after The Who made a successful return a few years ago I was hoping for a similar outing here.

The track list:

1. Rock 'n' Roll Train
2. Skies on Fire
3. Big Jack
4. Anything Goes
5. War Machine
6. Smash 'n' Grab
7. Spoilin' for a Fight
8. Wheels
9. Decibel
10. Stormy May Day
11. She Likes Rock 'n' Roll
12. Money Made
13. Rock 'n' Roll Dream
14. Rocking All the Way
15. Black Ice

The Good

This album is classic AC/DC. Killer riffs, strong vocals, guitar solos and a loud and lively tempo. It's what rock n roll should be like. It's very similar to their old stuff so fans of AC/DC will love this to bits. You can tell that a lot of the songs from this album will be amazing live. Normally I'd write a good chunk if the album is a good one however this time I'm struggling for words. Simply because its too similar to their old stuff.

The Bad

I mentioned in the intro I used to find some of their old stuff a bit repetitive and sadly this album is no different. It might be classic AC/DC but we`ve heard it all before. AC/DC haven't changed one bit in the 8 year gap; this might not be a bad thing for those who love AC/DC but for me this is a great disappointment. Don't get me wrong I like this album, it's a good listen and enjoyable from start to end but it sounds like I've heard all the songs before. Due to the repetitive nature of the songs it's difficult for any particular song to stand out. I've given the album several listens to but nothing is leaping out at me so far. This is what disappoints me the most; even in an average album there's normally 1 or 2 songs which stand head and shoulders above the rest but that doesn't happen here. If you consider the fact there are 15 tracks on the album this is quite disappointing.

The riffs are solid but are clearly beaten by their older ones. However I wouldn't consider this a major gripe as it's difficult to better classic songs like Highway to Hell and Back in Black. The one thing I did pick up on was that Angus Young seems to be more restricted in Black Ice. His solos are shorter and less impressive than before. I used to love it when he went off on a crazy solo but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

Overall

This is a shorter review on my behalf simply because this album is almost identical to every other AC/DC album out there. There's not much to say because it's all been done before. Die hard AC/DC fans will go crazy for this and I don't blame them because it's more of what they want. Those who like AC/DC here and there shouldn't bother giving this a listen, their older albums are better. Funnily enough if you have NEVER listened to AC/DC I would actually recommend giving it a listen. I think you have to be at one end of the scale, either an AC/DC maniac or know very little about them. Only then can you enjoy this album to the maximum.

Summary: For AC/DC lovers or complete newbies to the band, everyone else will probably be dissapointed