They’re back! Yes, they’re
back! Ba-aa-aa-aa-ack! Ba-aaaa-
aa-ack!
Yep, it’s true: AC/DC’s
long-overdue 15th CD, Black
Ice — their first album in eight
years — is their best work
since Back in Black. Of course,
bear in mind that isn’t saying
much: A box set of Brian
Johnson clearing his throat in
the morning wouldn’t be much
worse than Flick of the Switch
or Fly on the Wall.
But just because Black
Ice isn’t a total disaster, that
doesn’t make it a triumphant
comeback. Or even an
especially successful return
to form. On the downside: It’s
too long — 15 songs over 55
minutes is more AC/DC than
anybody needs. It’s too slow
— most of the tunes drag, and
there’s no Let There Be Rock-style
barnburner at all. And it’s
simply too dull — much as it
pains us to say this, guitarists
and chief songwriters Angus
and Malcolm Young seem to be
losing their touch.
The upside: With the band
nearing retirement age, this
might be the last AC/DC disc
— at least until 2016.
Rock N Roll Train 4:21
A rock-solid Phil Rudd beat + crunching
guitar riffs + a smoking solo + a catchy chorus
= the closest thing to a classic AC/DC arena rocker.
No wonder it’s the single.
Skies on Fire 3:34
The second song on an AC/DC CD shouldn’t
be slower than the first. The ri� isn’t bad — but
the draggy tempo makes it seem like they’re
tired already.
Big Jack 3:57
The beat swaggers and the chiming guitars
chug along propulsively. The chorus is goofy
— but we can hear the kids singing along.
Anything Goes 3:22
Brian Johnson reins in the shriek for a more
soulful delivery. The band dials down to melodic
pop-metal. And they end up sounding like
Nazareth doing Def Leppard.
War Machine 3:09
At last: A song heavy enough to stand next
to their old stu�. Bonus points for Malcolm’s
snarling backup vocals.
Smash N Grab 4:06
Another midtempo plodder that might rock
if it weren’t so lethargic. Then again, judging by
the limp chorus and “blow your mind” lyrics, it
might not.
Spoilin’ For A Fight 3:17
“I see trouble,” growls Brian. We see a
pattern: They’re alternating decent powerchord
rockers like this with second-rate filler.
Wheels 3:28
So much for that theory. We finally get two
decent cuts in a row, thanks to this upbeat
strutter peppered with Chuck Berry licks.
Decibel 3:34
Have mercy! It sounds like somebody’s been
listening to ZZ Top’s Waiting for the Bus. Pity
the walloping power-chord section cancels out
the blues-rock.
Stormy May Day 3:10
This is as close to a ballad as AC/DC get.
And as close as they should ever get. But it’s
not all bad: Angus plays some bluesy, Zeppish
slide guitar.
She Likes Rock N Roll 3:53
Another decent riff, weighed down by
a molasses backbeat and weak chorus.
Somebody should have spiked their Metamucil
with espresso.
Money Made 4:15
Again with the plodding. Oh well — at least
the refrain is catchy. And the intertwined
guitars jangle like a pocketful of loose change.
Rock N Roll Dream 4:41
Aw, geez — a second sorta-ballad with more
Def Lep guitars. Thankfully, it kicks into second
gear about halfway through — for what that’s
worth.
Rocking All the Way 3:22
Hey, this one isn’t bad! It’s just a punchy, no-frills
’70 rocker with sharp soloing from Angus.
On an old AC/DC disc it would be filler. Here it’s
a highlight.
Black Ice 3:25
The band closes the show with a second
slice of ZZ/DC blues-rock. It’s OK — but it’s too
little too late.
Down Stream - 3 Picks. 3 Clicks. 3 Cool Online Tracks
John Brown - Sarah Palin (I Wanna Lay Pipe)
“Oh Sarah, you ain’t in your
right mind,” charges John Brown.
But that doesn’t stop the rapper
from professing his love (or at
least lust) to the Republican
V-P candidate in this hilarious
slow-jam ditty. Peppered with
snippets from Palin speeches
(“Hockey mom!”) and
references to pitbulls, lipstick
and moose, this sharp sendup
gives new meaning to the phrase
“Drill, baby, drill.” hypem.com
Wilco & Fleet Foxes - I Shall Be Released
While we’re on the topic of the
U.S. election, we should mention
that roots-rock vets Wilco and
up-and-coming indie-popsters
Fleet Foxes recently joined
forces onstage in Spokane to
cover this Bob Dylan classic.
To score it, all you have to do is
head over to Wilco’s website and
download it — after pledging to
vote. Don’t worry, it’s not like
they’re checking ID or anything.
wilcoworld.net
The Firemen - Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight
Psssst ... It’s Paul McCartney.
And man, he sounds ticked. On
this fierce tune from his Fireman
duo with producer Youth, Macca
rails against a certain ex, yowling,
“I thought you knew the last thing
to do was try to betray me,” over
a smoking 7/4 blues-rock ri�
decked with bashing drums, fuzzy
bass, harmonica and searing slide
guitars. Their Electric Arguments
CD drops Nov. 18. hypem.com
CHARTS - Billboard Singles
1 Womanizer - Britney Spears
2 Whatever You Like - T.I.
3 Live Your Life - T.I. f/Rihanna
4 So What - Pink
5 Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
