AC/DC

(AUSTRALIA)

BACK IN BLACK

(1980)
LABEL:

ATLANTIC RECORDS

GENRE:

HARD ROCK

TAGS:
High-pitched vocals
"To everyone's surprise, AC/DC offers a more metallic work but as accomplished as "Highway To Hell", only one year after the death of Bon Scott."
LOLOCELTIC (24.10.2007)  
5/5
(0) opinions (0) comment(s)
After the death of Bon Scott, speculations were moving forward about the future of AC/DC, some of them announcing that the band would not be able to recover from the loss of its wonderful frontman. And yet, it will not take more than a year for the Young brothers to give a follow-up to the legendary "Highway To Hell". For this purpose, they will first find a replacement for Bon Scott in the person of the singer of Geordie, Brian Johnson, who will be the lucky one. The latter is quickly integrated and participates in the composition of all 10 tracks of the album. Then "Back In Black" was released in 1980.

The first surprise comes from the fact that no autograph is proposed in the memory of Bon Scott. However, the black color of the cover, as well as the title of the album, are undoubtedly there to pay him a tribute, then the bell which is resounding in introduction of the opening title: 'Hells Bells'. From the first chords, it seems obvious that Angus & Co. decided to harden the tone, and the metallic voice of Brian Johnson comes to confirm this first impression. The AC/DC sound has changed, even if John 'Mutt' Lange is still producing, and if the riffs concocted by Angus and Malcolm remain recognizable and unforgettable. But these changes do not prevent this album from being a new masterpiece in the discography of our favorite kangaroos who offer us here 10 new gems.

The powerful titles give pride of place to this album. Hells Bells' and its arpeggio intro, 'Shoot To Thrill' and 'What Do You Do For Money Honey', where Brian Johnson pushes his voice to impressive heights, clear the ground from the beginning of the album. The rhythm will not weaken until the bluesy anthem 'Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution', this last title not being the only anthem of this album. Indeed, apart from the first three titles already mentioned, what about the syncopated and unavoidable 'Back In Black' or the call to debauchery that is 'You Shook Me All Night Long'? On this subject, it should be noted that if Brian Johnson is not less obsessed by the so-called weak sex than Bon Scott, he shows less finesse in his lyrics to share this penchant with us, and tracks such as the steamroller 'Given The Dog A Bone' or the heavy 'Let Me Put My Love Into You' are real pieces of delicate poetry to the glory of the female gender ... Finally, it would be unfair not to mention also the very rock'n'roll 'Have A Drink On Me' whose title was the object of polemics because of the conditions of the death of Bon Scott, and 'Shake A Leg' with the accents of 'Walk All Over You' in more metallic.

It is thus with the almost general surprise that AC/DC offers us a work as accomplished as "Highway To Hell", only one year after the death of Bon Scott. The integration of Brian Johnson seems to have been done quickly and with no trouble, even if there will always be some naysayers to argue that 'it was better before'. In any case, this album is and will remain a pivotal album for all the followers of Angus Young and his band.
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. Hells Bells - 5:13
02. Shoot To Thrill - 5:20
03. What Do You Do For Money Honey - 3:36
04. Givin The Dog A Bone - 3:32
05. Let Me Put My Love Into You - 4:15
06. Back In Black - 4:16
07. You Shook Me All Night Long - 3:30
08. Have A Drink On Me - 3:59
09. Shake A Leg - 4:06
10. Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution - 4:14

LINEUP:
Angus Young: Guitares
Brian Johnson: Chant
Cliff Williams: Basse
Malcom Young: Guitares
Phil Rudd: Batterie
   
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