NEW RELEASE
AC/DC – Rock or Bust (2014 Columbia)
We all know the story, now. Malcolm Young, felled by dementia, and his brother Angus carrying on without him (and possibly without drummer Phil Rudd). AC/DC don’t want to dwell on the negative, and neither do I. Angus assembled 11 new songs from parts that he and Mal had worked on together before he was too sick to continue. Nephew Stevie Young, who filled in for Uncle Mal in 1988, stepped up again to do so, this time in a permanent capacity. But you wouldn’t know any of that by hearing Rock or Bust.
Sharp as ever, “Rock or Bust”, the current single boasts one of those menacing AC/DC riffs paired with that slow groove they do so well. “In rock we trust, it’s rock or bust”. Nothing has changed! There is little difference between Rock or Bust and the AC/DC back catalogue since 1980 in general. New batch of riffs, songs, and melodies. That’s about it! “Play Ball” has that familiar “AC/DC single” vibe. Not too heavy, not too fast, but just right for radio. Brian Johnson’s voice has changed very little since the 1990’s. He doesn’t screech like it’s 1981 (duh), but he gets the job done fine. Johnson reported that he found it hard to continue on without Malcolm but his performance is full of the joi de vivre that you need in an AC/DC song.
“Rock the Blues Away” has future single written all over it. This old-timey AC/DC riff is one of those classic rock and roll licks that they used to do with Bon Scott on albums like Dirty Deeds. True to its title, the song does indeed rock the blues away and I can’t wait to give it a test run in the car. This is a summer time song, not a December song! However I should point out that it’s more or less the same song as “Anything Goes” from Black Ice. A left turn on “Miss Adventure” yields some funky AC/DC grooves not unlike what they were doing in the mid 1980’s. It’s unfortunately the first dud on the album for me. “Dogs of War” redeems it, with a “Razor’s Edge” dark vibe. The only real noticeable difference from past AC/DC albums is a slicker production on the backing vocals.
Do you need some rock & roll thunder? AC/DC got it. “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder” has one of those jangly AC/DC riffs, backing a catchy chorus. This sounds a bit like material from Stiff Upper Lip, which is a good thing to me. “Hard Times” also sounds similar to that era. They’re good enough songs to serve as AC/DC album tracks. Then there’s “Baptism of Fire”, back to those fast AC/DC beats that you need every once in a while.
A track that I think should be played live is “Rock the House”. This has classic written all over it. Taking on a “Whole Lotta Love” groove, it’s hard to resist the urge to bang your head. Go ahead, try.
“Sweet Candy” is an ode to strippers, of course. What did you expect? Look forward to another singalong slow AC/DC groove. I have a feeling a few strippers are going to add this song to their repertoire next year. Then, ending the album on a funky note is “Emission Control”. There are also nods and winks to the Mutt Lange era of AC/DC with the thick backing vocals. The song throws me for a loop a bit; I’m not sure if I like it or not.
I found Brendan O’Brien’s production to be a bit thuddy and less bright than Black Ice. It still gets the job done, as does Rock or Bust.
3.5/5 stars
Excellent review Mike! I think you hit the nail on the head here. “Rock or Bust” isn’t exactly “Back in Black” but it’s not “Fly on the Wall” either. Like you said, it gets the job done. It was one of my favourite gifts this Christmas.
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Mine too! Yeah, solid album, gets the job done. As I said to Deke I hope it’s not the final album. It doesn’t feel like a proper ending.
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Nice review, Mike. I’m still getting to know this one …
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Me too. Gave it another listen this morning, and it’s still holding up.
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How does it compare to Black Ice? :)
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More or less the same in my opinion. Same producer too.
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I think this album is far superior to Black Ice. And I like Black Ice. Well maybe not far superior, but it’s better… ;)
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Totally fair review, as always. I like this LP a lot, but there again Im never very objective when it comes to ‘DC, so what the hell do I know?!
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Hard to be objective with this band isn’t it? How to review AC/DC? It’s AC/DC! Tremendously difficult to describe the songs and be objective about anything.
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Great read Mikey! Emission Control is a different ACDC vibe front he first 10 songs. At first I was like ??? But over time I kinda dig it….just a jam out kinda tune perhaps….
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Who knows that could be the influence of Stevie, too. I would hope AC/DC continue on after this, but who can blame them if they don’t. Rock or Bust doesn’t “feel” like a “last album”.
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With it being so short ….maybe they recorded enuff leftovers so to,speak and are just sitting on em!
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That’s possible. Or there may be more bits and pieces he wrote with Malcolm that can still be used. I’m sure they didn’t write exactly 11 songs…
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Na,just the fact that it’s 35 minutes long I think they got more in the tank. Smart move if that’s the case….I’m sure the usual live dvd release will be coming also once the tour gets rolling…that seems to be protocol for a lot of artists nowadays…
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Yep agreed 100%. Wonder who the drummer will be? Phil seems to think it’ll be him. Not sure how that will be possible when he can’t leave the country! LOL
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I think he’s as good as punted from the band! Who knows maybe it will be the guy they used in the vids for the Rock Or Bust songs
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Who is that guy anyway?
Just glad they put this album out! I predicted on Facebook that without Mal, it would never happen. Glad to be 100% wrong.
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I read his name but it did not ring any bells….
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There too old dealing with some 60yr olds drama!
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The name didn’t ring any bells, Deke? Not even any Hells Bells?
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Another one for my Want list! I love these guys. Nothing gets a person charged up in quite the same way. Keep on givin’ ‘er, AC/DC!
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I love this album. Too bad Malcolm’s not well enough to tour it. In my opinion, this is the best album they have done since Flick Of The Switch.
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Not as good as Black Ice, but still a fun album altogether. Here’s to hoping that their prices aren’t too ridiculous this summer. Good review Mike.
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