Back in Black, best ever?

Whilst I cant argue with you on the classic status of these tracks along with "Have a drink on me", I prefer the "Highway to hell" and "Powerage" albums and am not to keen on Mr Johnson vocals

I have nothing after "For those about to rock", am I missing any seminal albums?

I think the addition of Mr Johnson added something to AC/dc and there is no denying that some of the earlier albums are just as good. I think the later albums had that little bit extra.

Close call though!

NB

Love the guitar work on B in B, and certainly the songs are among their strongest. But like Bosh I'm also a fan of Long Gone Bon, so it has to be Highway to Hell for me.

jay

Back in Black is possibly their strongest all round album - having said that there are individually stronger tracks on all their prior albums. Thinking about it, I rather like Dirty Deeds, close call.

Mike

The Brian / Bon toss is a tough one to argue. The impressive thing is that the band was able to lose such a key member and remain vital. Also, while the last ten years have produced few new gems, at least they haven't hit a Kiss-style "God gave Rock'n'Roll to ya" nadir.

As for the original question, while I think that Back in Black is their best studio album, I think If You Want Blood is their best album overall. I'm not usually a fan of live albums, but imho it captures so much of their energy and immortalises the Angus chant for Whole Lotta Rosie. Solid entertainment any way you slice it.

Who could forget "whole lotta Rosie" an all time classic.

Regards


NB

Here - what about let there be rock? - classic guitar riff and bass line in my view...

I find it difficult to split 'Back in Black' and 'Highway to Hell', these are the two must have AC/DC albums, with powerage the closest behind IMO.

I think 'Highway to Hell' might just have the edge courtesy of 'Touch to Much' and the title track being better than anything on Back in Black

Have just got the 15 LP boxset - most excellent!
Bought it from

www.artistdirect.com/

as this was by far the cheapest ($190 + $26 insured airmail).

That's interesting, I've not heard 'Bonfire'. But I have noticed that Brian Johnson gets writing credits on all the Back in Black material, which would suggest at least that all the tracks were changed.

I know Bon Scott usually had writing credits. I had assumed that Bon wrote the lyrics and these are now done by Brian. So maybe the lyrics were completely changed, otherwise seems a bit unfair that Bon has no Back in Black credits.

I remember "Rock'n'Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" being on the jukebox in a pub in Paddington. Used to put it on every time, and it lead to me getting Back in Black. I think its the best, but they are all good. Got to see them on tour a few years ago. With regard to Brian Johnson's voice, how the hell can you make a living murdering your voice like that - I mean - its not singing is it! Top stuff. Love em.
I think also that memories of Bon Scott are perhaps a little rosier than the reality. I loved him more though, but great that they are still here shaking me all night long.

quote:

---

The Brian / Bon toss is a tough one to argue

---

Urm, not in my opinion. Bon *was* AC/DC, Brian (though still fine by me) doesn't have the character and the (ahem) balls...

John

TC '..'
"Sun went down in honey. Moon came up in wine. Stars were spinnin' dizzy, Lord, the band kept us so busy we forgot about the time."

Bon Scott could convey a great grasp of intelligent humour with which he could make something of the band's schoolboy lyrics. Since his death, the band have missed the point and while the riffs are as good, the laughs are gone.

'Back in Black' is the best Brian Johnson Album, closely followed by 'For those about to Rock'.After this each album seamed to follow a bit of a formula.

However, the best AC/DC Album of all time has to be 'Let There Be Rock'- Hell ain't a bad place to be, Let There be Rock, and Whole lotta Rosie - all essential tracks.
In fact, when I get home tonight....this is gonna get a serious bit of stick.

They followed this with 'Powerage', and then 'Highway to Hell'. All 3 of these are great albums - what a shame Bon Scott kicked the Bucket.

I was lucky enough to see them live at Hammy Odeon 1979 (I think) Highway to Hell tour - wow what a great memory - far better than a rather turgid Donnington 1984 performance headlining.

quote:

---

Originally posted by adamk:
when I get home tonight....this is gonna get a serious bit of stick..

---

That's what you with AC/DC ain't it, whack it up and let it rip. No other way of playing it Feelgood music if there ever was such a thing.

Can I just say that you guys talking of the likes of acadaca makes it for me. You all are really very OK

OK, it's late & I'm emotional. Good night though

Hells Bells is my personal favourith AC/DC track, the guitars just do it...

AC/DC without Bon Scott - like an omelette without eggs.
Would love to hear the Bon Scott version of Back in Black though. Gave up on AC/DC after For Those About To Rock. Only thing of note for me since being Heatseeker.....

Wow - memories!

My first exposure to AC/DC was Back in Black, played on an amazing new contraption one of my cousins had brought back from Japan - one of the first Sony Walkmans.

I can still remember that in my head - great sound from this little box and those fantastic riffs and childish double-entendre lyrics.

I think everything pre 'For those about to..' is great, and would agree with Rockindoc's comment that Bon Scott seemed to have tongue firmly in cheek when belting out those earlier numbers.

And as a kid, 'Big Balls' was funny

That's this evenings listening sorted...

Andy.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Andrew L. Weekes:
And as a kid, 'Big Balls' _was_ funny

---

What do you mean? - it's still funny at 35!
The sly humour of Bon Scott is unbeatable.

By a quirk of the alphabet and my age, in my collection AC/DC sit next to ABBA (my first album purchase aged 9!) and I still enjoy both.

Steve.

I find these very enjoyable too.

Wasn't impressed with the latest stuff, in fact I think they went downhill after "Back in Black"

quote:

---

What do you mean? - it's still funny at 35!

---

I know, I just didn't want to admit it. I can still remember all the words too

It's also a bit wierd that one of my first personal musical interests, at a similar age, was Abba. I think the subsequent foray into AC/DC, Motorhead, Iron Maiden et al may have been a reaction to Abba

Andy.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Andrew L. Weekes:
I know, I just didn't want to admit it. I can still remember all the words too

---

Thanks to this thread I've had the lyrics buzzing through my head all morning, and have been desperately trying not to burst into the chorus whilst at the coffee machine. I don't think it would go down too well

I read somewhere that girls grow up and boys just get older. I think the switch to heavy metal is more a reaction to hormones than to ABBA per se!

Steve.

Stiff Upper Lip (the latest one) is fantastic. I understand that it's just been released on vinyl too. Hurrah!

I forget who it was early on in this thread who said that they had ordered the vinyl box set, but (whoever it was) can you tell me, was that price including airmail shipping to the UK, or are you in the US? - I'm tempted to get it, but it's helishly expensive over here. I could look into buying it from a US site, but then I'm worried about the postage costs and beeing charged a ridiculous amount by UK customs.

Any pointers?