After 27 years, AC/DC refuses to soften up
By JOSEPH LARSON
Scene Music Critic
When you think of the world's greatest rock n' roll bands of all time, AC/DC probably isn't the first that comes to mind — but you can't completely disregard them.
Since 1973, AC/DC (whose name was taken from the back of a vacuum cleaner, Alternating Current/Direct Current) has released 18 studio albums and three live CDs. They've forever changed the face of rock music with their hard-driving, thunderous sound. Every rock musician has tried to copy the energy and pounding hullabaloo that is signature AC/DC. So what if their music hasn't exactly developed and matured over the years, they're still one of the longest running rock bands of all time. Not only is it impressive that they're still playing after all these years, but they haven't softened up at all. Unlike other rock bands still around from the '70s (i.e., Aerosmith), AC/DC has maintained the same style they had when they released their first album, High Voltage, in 1973.
Some critics would consider it a bad thing that AC/DC has simply been making the exact same album for the last 27 years. They would say that they are long over the hill and should promptly retire and quit boring us with the same songs over and over again. The problem is, AC/DC is never boring — even though they've been copying themselves for years. They continue to rock the way they always have. Their songs, though pertaining to the same subject matter throughout their career, are still the most energetic of any of the rock bands out today.
AC/DC's first singer, Bon Scott, summed it up best when he said, "All the songs we do are basically about three things: booze, sex and rock n' roll." What more do you want out of a rock band? They're not trying to say anything important; they're just playing good rock n' roll and they know it.
This still may not be enough to silence the critics, who would argue that AC/DC has lost a step on their new release, Stiff Upper Lip. Some would say that this new album sounds like a band impersonating AC/DC. They would say that lead guitarist Angus Young doesn't have the same power he had on songs like "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Back in Black" and "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)." They would consider this new album a futile attempt at capturing their patented, hard-driving music.
This just isn't right, even though there are no songs like "Back in Black" on Stiff Upper Lip — this album is still patented AC/DC. They have had plenty of albums without classic singles over the years.
The absence of a single does not mean that AC/DC has lost any of their punch. This is apparent on songs like "Hold Me Back," "All Screwed Up" and "Give It Up." The best song on the album is the full-steam-ahead rocker "Satellite Blues," which consists of lead singer Brian Johnson being echoed by his bandmates in the chorus. This song is true to AC/DC's strict rock n' roll code, proving rock bands don't need backup singers. This song is what rock music is meant to be.
Listening to this, the 18th studio album from this classic rock band, proves two things. One, they really haven't changed in 27 years. And two, it doesn't matter. AC/DC can continue to write the same song over and over again for 18 more albums and they'll still be fun to listen to. Their sound is still original even though their new songs aren't. When listening to this album, you can't help but start involuntarily bobbing your head to the thundering drive. The golden visage of Angus Young with his guitar and fist thrust into the air on the album's cover is the perfect statement of a career that continues to stubbornly push forward no matter how many critics believe they should call it quits.
So the next time there is a debate about who the greatest rock bands of all time are, consider this: Who is the most fun to listen to, and who has been the truest to themselves and their fans? At this point in their career, the only thing that should be said to AC/DC is "for those about to rock, we salute you."
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, March 28, 2000
