Author: Jernej Vene
Artist: AC/DC
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Release: 1995
AC/DC are one of the few bands to pull off an utterly unique combination of sharp, no-frills rock ‘n’ roll, instantly recognizable melodies, and loud music. Their rock, which hits the listener right in the chest, has been on the scene since 1973, but it seems like it’s been on a big upswing lately. AC/DC recorded their best album, Back In Black, way back in 1980, but they still haven’t worn out. They’ve sold more than a hundred million records worldwide to date, so it’s hard to call it a scam, since not everyone who buys their records is naive enough to buy a pig in a poke. Since 1974 a whole crowd of musicians has strolled through AC/DC, and today the band is still led by a trio made up of Angus and Malcolm Young, the former on lead and the latter on rhythm guitar, and singer Brian Johnson, who joined the band in 1980, after the death of the previous famous frontman, Bon Scott. Ballbreaker is also the first album of new songs since the fairly successful The Razor’s Edge from 1990. Ballbreaker carries on the AC/DC factory tradition, tending all the well-worn forms of their music and turning them into rock diamonds. The sound is basic, sharp and rough, just like Johnson’s voice. Credit for that goes to the famous Rick Rubin, who worked with the band for the first time here, even though he’s been a fan for ages. He’s also part of the reason Ballbreaker is worth a listen, and even those of you who never felt that kind of simple blue-collar music in your gut will give it a go. Besides the gentlemen mentioned above, AC/DC also feature longtime bassist Cliff Williams and an old acquaintance, the band’s former and current drummer Phil Rudd, who came back to the group after a twelve-year break. Those two are the other cornerstone of the steamroller we call AC/DC. Angus Young’s sometimes goofy schoolboy look hasn’t gone anywhere either. What’s more, real fans of the band wouldn’t have it any other way. On Ballbreaker, AC/DC do exactly what they’ve been churning out for almost thirty years: fundamental hard rock with no philosophizing and minimal effort. Everything runs the way it should, and with plenty of ease. Angus Young once said that the audience can smell bullshit from a mile away. When AC/DC started out, they had just one goal in front of them: to play good rock ‘n’ roll. They’re still doing that today, and there’s obviously no bullshit involved, since their career has proven they’re one of the biggest rock bands around. With AC/DC you won’t find virtuoso showboating from any one individual, but a well-oiled band of persistent guys who care most about the music and keeping their listeners happy. Everything you want to know about AC/DC you’ll find on Ballbreaker, because every one of the songs speaks for itself. The lyrical themes are mostly rocker staples, meaning they’re about parties, booze, women and the other things every true rocker busies themselves with. It’s precisely with their simplicity that AC/DC got to where they are today, namely a band respected by every listener of good rock.
Lineup
Angus Young – guitar
Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar
Phil Rudd – drums
Cliff Williams – bass guitar
Brian Johnson – vocals
Tracklist
01.Hard as a Rock
02.Cover You in Oil
03.The Furor
04.Boogie Man
05.The Honey Roll
06.Burnin’ Alive
07.Hail Caesar
08.Love Bomb
09.Caught with Your Pants Down
10.Whiskey on the Rocks
11.Ballbreaker
