AC/DC Album Musings
                                      
                           Last updated: 20JUN00
                                      
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   _Stiff Upper Lip_ - Elektra, 2000
          Superbly formulaic return to the blusier days of yore, a la
          both _Back in Black _and the Bon Scott era before it.  Ace
          production, ace musicianship, and Brian Johnson's best-sounding
          vocals in _years_.  (They certainly lend credence to those
          throat polyp-removal rumors...)  The workmanlike lyrics could
          probably use an additional layer of
          self-awareness/self-mocking, but, hey, they get the job done.
          And _well_ done, at that!  Nice cover, too, though it doesn't
          quite compensate for the skimpy linear notes...
          
          
   _Bonfire_ - Atco, 1997
          Three disc Bon Scott-era box set.  Mostly live recordings, with
          a single platter of rarities and hits.
          
          
   _Ballbreaker _- Atco, 1995
          Though Brian's voice is getting rougher and rougher, this one's
          great fun, with plenty of gloriously non-PC song titles and
          subject matter.
          
          
   _Live_ - Atco, 1992
          Released as both single- and double-disc format.
          
          
   _The Razor's Edge_ - Atco, 1990
          No review. Tracks: "Thunderstruck," "Fire Your Guns,"
          "Moneytalks," "Razor's Edge, The," "Mistress For Christmas,"
          "Rock Your Heart Out," "Are You Ready," "Got You By The Balls,"
          "Shot Of Love," "Let's Make It," "Goodbye And Good Riddance To
          Bad Luck," "If You Dare"
          
          
   _Blow Up Your Video _- Atco, 1988
          The opening track, "Heatseeker," is a killer.  The rest of the
          album varies.
          
          
   _Who Made Who _- Atco, 1986
          Soundtrack to Stephen King movie Maximum Overdrive.  Way too
          short Greatest Hits album with three new tracks: "Who Made Who"
          and the instrumentals "D.T". and the excellent "Chase the
          Ace."
          
          
   _Fly on the Wall _- Atco, 1985
          No review. Tracks: "Fly On The Wall," "Shake Your Foundations,"
          "First Blood," "Danger," "Sink The Pink," "Playing With Girls,"
          "Stand Up," "Hell Or High Water," "Back In Business," "Send For
          The Man"
          
          
   _74 Jailbreak_ - Atco, 1984
          Live EP with Bon Scott.  Tracks: "Jailbreak," "You Ain't Got A
          Hold On Me," "Show Business," "Soul Stripper," "Baby Please
          Don't Go"
          
          
   _Flick of the Switch_ - Atco, 1983
          Haven't listened to it lately.
          
          
   _For Those About to Rock We Salute You_ - Atco, 1981
          The title track's a classic but the rest of the album left me
          wanting.  Haven't listened to it lately.
          
          
   _Back in Black_ - Atco, 1980
          Scream-ier Brian Johnson replaces the deceased Bon Scott and
          the results are harder, heavier, but just a tight.  Expert
          production by "Mutt" Lange.
          
          
   _Highway to Hell_ - Atco, 1979
          They a take a more commercial turn and it works.  Forget the
          title track, it's "Nightcrawler" that's the classic here!
          
          
   _If You Want Blood You've Got It _- Atco, 1978
          Live album with a sloppy rendition of "The Jack" that's kept me
          from listening to the rest of the album.
          
          
   _Powerage_ - Atco, 1978
          Rougher and more raw than the last three.  The songwriting's
          not as strong, either.
          
          
   _Let There Be Rock_ - Atco, 1977
          Another strong album, with notably strong production.
          
          
   _Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap_ - Atco, 1976
          More of an odds 'n' sods collection, to quote another
          reviewer.  The title track's a must-have, if nothing else.
          
          
   _High Voltage _- Atco, 1976
          Fabulous sound, tight playing, sly songwriting-- it's all
          here!
          
          
                    Copyright 2000 by Michael J. Legeros
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