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""Rock Or Bust" will not be a cornerstone of AC/DC's discography but it is nevertheless a more than honourable album."
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3/5
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Since Bon Scott's death, life in the AC/DC line-up seemed to be very peaceful. 35 years during which only 2 drummer changes had disturbed a flawless and tense organization, and even then they had happened without drama and in good intelligence. However, this year 2014 saw the Australian monument shaken like never before. First of all, it was the band's leading figure, Malcolm Young, who was hospitalized in April for a dementia problem that finally led to his permanent departure. Although an agreement between the members of the band provided for the group to be stopped in the event of the departure of only one of them, it was Stevie Young who finally took over the torch. It was not a leap into the unknown, Malcolm and Angus' nephew having already played this role on the "Blow Up Your Video" tour. Once the recording of the new opus was made, it was Phil Rudd's turn to find himself in the media spotlight after his arrest by New Zealand police. Although no charges have been brought against him, he remains under threat of legal proceedings for possession of illegal substances. The future of the shady drummer is not yet determined within the band but it is the British Bob Richards who appears in the clips of the first 2 singles ('Rock Or Bust' and 'Play Ball').
This long introduction is far removed from the musical subject of interest here, but the impacts that this kind of adventure can have on the inspiration of a band are too obvious to avoid ignoring them. 6 years after "Black Ice", here is "Rock Or Bust". No surprises here with 11 tracks concentrated on barely 35 minutes. The lyrics of Brian Johnson who still doesn't turn 67, are still the same and Angus' riffs are as unstoppable as ever, all reinforced with choruses that you catch yourself chanting for hours after listening to them.
After all, what does AC/DC still have to prove? Not much, actually! Australians are the creators of a formula that has been copied by dozens of bands around the world for decades. Their tours are on sale out even before the dates are set, and the millions of aficionados around the world don't want to see them change. So of course,'Rock The Blues Away' takes a bit from the recipe of 'Anything Goes' and 'Dogs Of War' that of 'War Machine' ('Black Ice'),'Baptism By Fire' recycles the riff of 'Beating Around The Bush' ('Highway To Hell'), and 'Rock The House' seems to come out of the 'Flick Of The Switch' sessions. But the result is always unstoppable and you get caught up in the boogie of a 'Got Some Rock'n'Roll Thunder' while a 'Hard Times' injects its bluesy and vicious feeling for our greatest pleasure.
Although it contains its share of new songs to scream in concert, it is clear that "Rock Or Bust" will not be a cornerstone of AC/DC's discography. It is nevertheless a more than honourable album and the Australians, if they decided to retire after this opus, could do so with their heads held high. In the end, as has been the case for more than 40 years, critics will not like AC/DC anymore, and amateurs will still not get tired of this direct and honest Hard-Rock that has crossed the decades with its dosage of slight variations of boogie, blues or even metal over time, but with an identity so recognizable among all. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Rock Or Bust - 3:03 02. Play Ball - 2:47 03. Rock The Blues Away - 3:24 04. Miss Adventure - 2:57 05. Dogs Of War - 3:35 06. Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder - 3:22 07. Hard Times - 2:44 08. Baptism By Fire - 3:30 09. Rock The House - 2:42 10. Sweet Candy - 3:09 11. Emission Control - 3:41
LINEUP:
Angus Young: Guitares Brian Johnson: Chant Cliff Williams: Basse Phil Rudd: Batterie Stevie Young: Guitares
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READERS
3.7/5 (6 view(s))
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STAFF:
2.8/5 (4 view(s))
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