Back in Black has sold over fifty million copies, that’s insane.
AC/DC are an institution and have been huge as long as I have been into music. It’s not really my sort of thing but I remember at school guys with their patches sewn on for them, Iron Maiden, Saxon and Judas Priest and the long hair and the tight jeans, I was (am) to fat for tight jeans.
This was AC/DC’s sixth album but their first with new lead singer Brian Johnson. The band had broken through with Highway to Hell but lead singer Bon Scott had tragically died from alcohol poisoning. Johnson was a flat capped Geordie with a voice that sounded as if he smoked a hundred cigarettes a day and gargled with gravel. Not the obvious choice to front an international rock band, however it was in inspired choice.
Johnson co-wrote all ten tracks with Angus and Malcolm Young and you must admire him as he must have been aware of the pressure to deliver but he does with aplomb.
The song titles leave a lot to be desired for with Givin the Dog a Bone and Let Me Put My Love Into You Babe certainly criminal but I can still think of my mother singing along to Dr Hook When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman It’s Hard so I’m sure she would think Givin the Dog is about Pedigree Chum.
This is an album of riffs and majestic they are, this is not a record to deeply analyse but if you want to just enjoy guitar music and pump your foot then stick this on.
There are four songs that I would say are rock classics which for ten track album is bloody good. A church bell chimes several times, and a taut riff and Johnston does not appear until one minute thirty in but owns Hells Bells over a chugging beat.
Back in Black is slowed down metal with Johnston’s screech working a treat and a magical solo. You Shook Me All Night Long is one of those songs that is not just known to people who like metal. Everyone knows it and still sounds fresh forty years later, a sing along chorus and a stomping beat, they certainly knew what they were doing.
Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution sounds like the band in practise at the start then all the band come in and is a high point to finish on.
I can see why it sold millions, why it will continue to sell millions and why occasionally I enjoy giving it a listen.
7/10
GIVE IT A STREAM: You Shook Me All Night Long
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