Overall
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SCORE - 90%
90%
Proof that everything happens eventually, here’s a brand-new AC/DC album, designed to drop some rock n roll healing on a shitty year. Could this be the last ever new AC/DC studio album? Never bet against accadacca but given it has been 6 years since the last album, it’s entirely possible.
Having cranked the contents of ‘PWR/UP’ several times in quick succession, I wouldn’t say the band have delivered a career defining record befitting a grand exit, but they have exceeded expectations to deliver a very credible late-career record that I think will please most fans.
It is true that the guys could possibly have written this album in their sleep and there is no deviation from the style or delivery of the last several records, but there is something very comforting about new AC/DC tunes.
Twelve tracks at 41 minutes in length should give an accurate summary of the contents here. I am comfortable stating that the first 4 tracks are amongst their best in many a year. Realize is a superb opener, with Rejection, the single Shot In The Dark and Through The Mists Of Time all delivering great riffs and hooks.
Elsewhere it’s a pretty consistent run. Only track 8, Wild Reputation, drags significantly for me.
I do wonder how good this would have been with someone like Bob Rock or Kevin Shirley at the helm. The lack of urgency and a harder hitting sound is what I think it missing from latter day records.
Brian Johnson sounds as good as ever, which I’m really pleased about. He’s one of the good guys.
God bless AC/DC, may their reign over metal heads until the end of time itself.
I have only heard samples of all of the songs but this is classic AC/DC and I think the time off has done Brian’s voice a lot of good. I love the simplicity of the songs, Angus’ guitar and the power of Johnson’s voice. Every time an AC/DC song comes on you know it is them and it is hard not want to shout it out loud with them.
I just want them to get out of second gear 3-4 times. That will go a long way towards making this a bit better listen with more staying power than the last 3-4. The mix issue you mentioned doesn’t bode well tho. We’ll see… T
Album PWR/UP drops on Spotify tomorrow (13 Nov 2020)
Album release is tomorrow, 13 November. Spotify currently has two tracks from PWR/UP – Shot In The Dark and Realize (appeared on Spotify yesterday November 11).
The 2009 Live at River Plate stadium concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Blu-ray is epic! Never fails to put a smile on my face after watching it more times than I can count. The band fed off the overwhelming energy emanating from the audience and vice versa. Ranks in the my 10 rock fav concerts! VIVA AC⚡DC
Well there is no denying this is ACDC. Good or bad ACDC has a signature sound and this album is full of the traditional flavor you would expect. No it’s not as Good as Back In Black or even For Those About Rock, but that’s a pretty tall order. I do, however, think it is better than Rock or Bust & Black Ice. So far I like it almost as much as Stiff Upper Lip, and I like it more and more with each listen.