Spring Break
Staffer thinks AC/DC's 'Black Ice' falls short
Marshall Carlson
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: PS
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But the band unfortunately continues its long-lasting tradition of simple, guitar-centered songs that never develop with its newest release, "Black Ice." This is the band's first album since "Stiff Upper Lip" which was released in 2000.
AC/DC is so simple with its music that within the first five tracks, there were only six, maybe seven ideas expressed by the only person that contributes to the band, Angus Young.
Sure, Young can play guitar with more proficiency than maybe 80 percent of guitarists, but he lacks to show diversity, especially on "Black Ice." The first two tracks, "Rock 'N Roll Train" and "Skies On Fire," are perfect examples. Not one phrase from Young can be found that remains undistorted, and every riff is just as simple as the previous.
It's a shame Young receives little to no help from bassist Cliff Williams or Phil Rudd on drums when it comes to contributing to the sound of the whole band. The most innovative the band gets is with "Rock 'N Roll Dream," which is still chock-full of Brian Johnson's repetitive vocal phrases and Young's never-changing guitar.
The lack of creativity from the instrumentalists isn't the only flaw in the band's latest album. If you ever find yourself thinking what the title of a song may be, all you need to do is wait for Johnson to repeat it 10 times over. Problem solved. Need proof? Listen to "War Machine" or "Big Jack."
I will give the band one thing: they knows how to put on a show. Full episodes of raw energy surge from AC/DC compliments of Young, but I kept waiting for that energy to transfer over to what's important in music, the sound. The sixth track on "Black Ice," "Smash 'N Grab," quotes "Come on, let's blow your mind." Good luck.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 16
Chookiman
posted 11/19/08 @ 11:55 PM CST
Hi. AC/DC'S Black Ice has a sound you never hear made in the 21st century ! and for old time Rockers it has been a long wait. I agree the album has some semi duds but over all it's a good AC/DC album and thats a huge cut above most of the drivel thats out these days. (Continued…)
dean
posted 11/20/08 @ 9:20 AM CST
I'm not here to defend AC/DC like rabid fan. That being said, your review is way off the mark and, frankly, inaccurate. Angus and Malcolm Young write AC/DC's music, not just Angus. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 11/20/08 @ 11:57 AM CST
haha what a terrible review from a person who has clearly never picked up a guitar in his life, the easiest guitar riffs to play, are the hardest ones to come up with. (Continued…)
daniel
posted 11/20/08 @ 6:27 PM CST
a critic that doesn't know what he's talking about. very funny.
by the way, rock'n'roll must be repetitive, to be rock'n'roll.
and simplicity is quality. (Continued…)
Mitch
posted 11/21/08 @ 12:03 AM CST
You know what i hte is people who call themselves music critics and the dish up crap like that.
You could not be any further form the truth.
Why are AC?DC one if the best rock bands on earth? it is because they have found a unique sound and instead of changing thier style during the decades they never veered away from it and they perfected it. (Continued…)
Fred
posted 11/21/08 @ 1:25 PM CST
Hi!
I dont know.. Another AC/DC hater. You dont even know that malcolm does 80% of a song and Angus "only" contributes the solo guitar. Cliff Williams adds some great bass licks. (Continued…)
Johna
posted 11/21/08 @ 9:16 PM CST
Do you notice a pattern here of everyone thinking the critic is a tool? Is it one thing to be an intelligent critic and another of just being a tool (I know, repetitive). (Continued…)
angus
posted 11/23/08 @ 7:02 AM CST
And yet another reviewer states the band hasn't changed direction, yet, this review does nothing to compare to their previous release, or releases in general, save the "They are all the same" comment. (Continued…)
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