Great Metal Albums of 1988: AC/DC- Blow Up Your Video

My mind is in a bit of a quandary here in regards to AC/DC’s “Blow Up Your Video” album. I’ve read accounts from people who have rubbished this album on line. One or two have said it’s their worst album. However, my research suggests otherwise. It had amazing chart success and for the most part, good critical reception at the time. So, who am I to believe? The obvious answer is to listen to the album and make my own decision. Okay, it’s a bit rudimentary but I thought I had to bring a little suspense in.

If I could find any fault with the album, I would say that AC/DC were simply painting by numbers when they made it. Then again, they had a great formula which worked for them over several albums so why change it? That brings me to the good point, sure, they might have been painting by numbers but in no way does the album sound tired or done before. The album hosts ten fresh sounding songs. This even includes the penultimate track, “Two’s Up.” If I was to rank all the penultimate tracks from all AC/DC’s albums, then this one would be up in the top five, possibly even number one. Angus’s guitar solo is the best on the album. Another plus for the album is that it’s definitely not the dirge that was “Fly on the Wall.”

Listening to the album opened locks in my mind and let out things that were stored inside for over thirty years. My Swiss cheese mind forgot that there was a good single released from the album in the form of “Heatseeker.” I forgot how good of a track it was and the fact that it did so well in the UK charts. Then again, the purpose of this blog is to get you and me to go back and listen to long forgotten albums and bring back great memories. It worked for me in this case.

Since it appears third on the album, I will go directly to the hidden gem, “Meanstreak.” If any track on this album reninded me what I loved about AC/DC over the many years, it’s this one. Traditional AC/DC at its best is all I can say. “Go Zone” is a second but slightly less shiny hidden gem. Not quite as great as “Meanstreak” it too reminds me of what I like about this iconic band. It has a great opening riff and by the way, so does “That’s the Way I Wanna Rock and Roll.”

On the subject of sounding fresh, “Kissin’ Dynamite” is the track. They don’t do anything experimental or go way out there and the AC/DC stamp is all over it but somehow, maybe it’s just my weird mind, it sounds different and fantastic as well. You get some great rhythm guitar riffs on “Nick of Time” and Malcolm and Angus prove why they are such a good lead/rhythm guitar combination.

If I had to pick a least strongest track, and I would only do it under protest, it would “Some Sin for Nuthin.'” It’s not a bad track at all but it just kind of comes and goes. But no worries, “Ruff Stuff” comes and wipes out any doubts as it blows you away. Another hidden gem. After the already mentioned penultimate track, the album goes out on a total high with “This Means War.” It brings back memories of the classic, “Beat Around the Bush” from “Highway to Hell.” All in all, I think “Blow Up Your Video” is a very good album. I won’t rate it as high as “Back in Black” or “Highway to Hell” but it’s a good album in its own right. Definitely needed after some AC’/DC fans began to lost faith in the band. Faith was restored!

Track Listing:

1. Heastseeker
2. That’s the Way I Wanna Rock and Roll
3. Meanstreak
4. Go Zone
5. Kissin’ Dynamite
6. Nick of Time
7. Some Sin for Nuthn’
8. Ruff Stuff
9. Two’s Up
10. This Means War

AC/DC

Brian Johnson- lead vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Cliff Williams- bass, backing vocals

Simon Wright- drums, percussion

It was great to see that an old dog could come up with new tricks. I don’t care what naysayers might say about “Blow Up Your Video,” for me, it’s a great album.

Next post: Bon Jovi- New Jersey

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

To sign the petition to give Bruce Dickinson a knighthood, click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson?redirect=false

Great Metal Albums of 1984: AC/DC- 74 Jailbreak

Being predictable again! If you have been following me for some time, you have probably already guessed that I am posting about an AC/DC album because tribute band Hell’s Bells came to town. They did and unlike my post about the previous two AC/DC albums, I actually went to see them last night. You know, sort of for inspiration but I really don’t need any to see Hell’s Bells or post about AC/DC’s 1984 album, “74 Jailbreak.”

Pity the Foo

First the show, Hell’s Bells were supported by the Foo Fighters tribute band, Pity the Foo. Now, except for the videos I’ve seen on the Kerrang channel, I have no experience of the Foo Fighters. But if they are anything like the tribute band on stage, then maybe I should delve into some of their back catalogs. Pity the Foo honoured the band they were tributing on this evening. They were tight and if they weren’t playing Foo Fighters material, they could have played anything, even their own material and played it very well. The two Foo Fighters songs I know they played were “Monkey Wrench” and “A Long Road to Ruin” were good examples of how good this band was. When they left the stage, they had accomplished their mission of warming things up for the headliner. Pity not many people bothered to turn up and see them.

Hell’s Bells ascend the stage. God, I wish my hand was steadier.

If I went into great details of Hell’s Bells performance, then all I would need to do is copy and paste previous posts about them. What I can say is that last night was their best performance ever in the five times I’ve seen them. Like always, they were note perfect in regards to AC/DC and played an array of AC/DC classics that everyone in the audience will have heard at least their favourites. For me, it was “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Highway to Hell” and they ended with “Whole Lotta Rosie.” One thing they did different was play “Ace of Spades” in dedication to Lemmy. When they left the stage at the end of an hour and a half, which flew by too quickly, there wasn’t one disappointed person in the room.

Another thing I noted was the huge age range in attendance. I’ll be turning 56 next month and I can happily say that I wasn’t the oldest person in the room, not by a long shot. However, there were second and third generation AC/DC fans there as well. Many bands who last for over four decades aren’t as able to pick up followers from the younger generations. I remember the generation just below me regarding the Rolling Stones as golden oldies. They don’t say that about AC/DC.

Angus’s double does his strip act.

Hell’s Bells taking it home.

Unfortunately, Hell’s Bells didn’t play any songs off the “74 Jailbreak” album. Yes, I know in reality that it’s and EP but talk about five grab you by the throat songs. These were tracks that were only previously released in Australia and made available to the rest of the world as part of this EP. My question here is why they waited so long before treating us to them. With the benefit of hindsight, one might have thought that they might have released this in 1980 after Bon Scott’s tragic death. After all, his vocals are simply fantastic on the album. “Jailbreak” did feature on the “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” album but it’s a good opener. Likewise, “Baby, Please Don’t Go” is a good closer. Many an AC/DC album has those so nothing new in that department. However, it’s the three songs in the middle that make the album for me. All of them feature some pretty nifty guitar work compliments of Angus Young but my favourite of all is the middle track, the very bluesy sounding “Show Business.” Angus just cooks on this one and I now put him on the same shelf as some other great blues guitarists. So my question here is why isn’t this album or EP talked about more in AC/DC circles?

Track Listing:

1. Jailbreak
2. You Ain’t Got a Hold on Me
3. Show Business
4. Soul Stripper
5. Baby, Please Don’t Go

AC/DC

Bon Scott- vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar, backing vocals

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

George Young- bass, backing vocals, drums

Rob Bailey- bass

Mark Evans- bass on “Jailbreak”

Phil Rudd- drums, percussion on “Jailbreak”

Tony Currenti- drums, percussion on tracks 2-4

Peter Clack- drums, percussion on “Baby Please Don’t Go”

Whenever people talk about AC/DC albums, it seems that “74 Jailbreak” doesn’t get mentioned. My guess is it’s because it’s considered an EP. EP or album, there are five great songs on here and that’s more great songs that many other bands have on one entire album. Maybe Hell’s Bells will play some songs from it next time they come to town.

Next post: Queen- The Works

To buy Rock and Roll Children. go to http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Metal Albums of 1983: AC/DC- Flick of the Switch

Once again, I’m mixed things up here and throwing in a metal album. Usually I don’t visit metal album until the second half of my journey through any given year but there are exceptional circumstances. Those of you who have been following for a while have probably guessed why I’m writing about an AC/DC album. That’s right, AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Bells are coming to town this weekend. Unfortunately, they picked the same weekend as my step-granddaughter’s christening so I won’t be able to see them this time. Therefore, as my consolation prize, I thought I’d visit their 1983 album, “Flick of the Switch.”

Hells Bells at their usual greatness

What kind of drugs was I on in 1983? I remember listening to some of this album and not being very impressed with it. In fact, and this is going to confirm I must have been on drugs, I rated this album below their 1985 “Fly On the Wall” album. An album most AC/DC stalwarts say was their worst. Recently, I listened to the entire album after so many years and hell, this album is pretty good. Okay, it’s not near the same level as “Back in Black” or “Highway to Hell” or even “For Those About to Rock, We Salute You,” but this is in no way, shape or form a bad album.

From the very first note, “Flick of the Switch” has everything that has made AC/DC legends for forty odd years. It has all the trademark riffs that they had been known for, the tight rhythm section of Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd. Brian Johnson’s voice hadn’t begun to suffer and he still hits some pretty good high notes on the album. The closer, “Brain Shake” is the perfect example of that. Most importantly, Angus Young still blows people away with his solos. When I hear them on the songs on this album, I don’t get that ‘it’s all been done before’ feeling. There may have been a desire to go back to rawness and their might have been in fighting between Rudd and Malcolm but AC/DC come together to put out a fine album.

You know, I can’t  find a song that I don’t like on “Flick of the Switch.” On the other hand, I find it difficult to pick ones that stand out. When I hear one track and think, “That’s pretty good,” the next one comes on and is just as good. If there is one standout track, it would have to be “Guns for Hire” and that’s only because I heard it before on the “Iron Man 2” soundtrack. Then again, “Badlands” is also a really cool song.

Track Listing:

1. Rising Power
2. The House is On Fire
3. Flick of the Switch
4. Nervous Shakedown
5. Landslide
6. Guns for Hire
7. Deep in the Hole
8. Bedlam in Belgium
9. Badlands
10. Brain Shake

AC/DC

Brian Johnson- lead vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar

Cliff Williams- bass

Phil Rudd- drums

Now that the drugs have totally cleared my system, I can say that “Flick of the Switch” isn’t the worst album by AC/DC. It’s a good, solid album that may have come too soon after their classics. On the down side, it would be during this tour that Phil Rudd would leave the band and be replaced by Englishman Simon Wright. The result would be that this band from Australia wouldn’t have any members who were actually born there.

Next post: Berlin- Pleasure Victim

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

 

 

Hell’s Bells and Hellrazor Rock Stroud!

The reason why I brought my visit to AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” album so far forward was on account of last night when I saw AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Bells at The Subscription Rooms in my hometown of Stroud. Originally, I was going to mention the gig when I visited Ted Nugent’s “State of Shock” album but I concluded that it wouldn’t be fair to Ted Nugent or Hell’s Bells. So I thought it only proper to give Hell’s Bells their own slot.

Hellrazor

The show began with the alter ego of Hell’s Bells, Hellrazor. It doesn’t take a genius to see that this was none other than the main act in another form. At least it explained why a keyboard was on stage before the show. Hellrazor performed some great covers including “My Generation,” “Highway Star” and the first time I ever heard it covered and it’s been 36 years since the song was first broadcast, a very good cover of “Carry On My Wayward Son.” The final song was none other than “Rock And Roll” by Led Zeppelin. Their set might have been a little short, but it provided a great warm up for better things to come.

Hell’s Bells

Hell’s Bells came out in full glory performing all the songs that made AC/DC famous. Once again, they were note perfect in regards of the Gods they were paying tribute to and this time, the lead singer was much more consistent in sounding like Bon Scott and at times, Brian Johnson. Of course, there were also some of the stage antics that made AC/DC famous like Angus Young’s striptease and consequent mooning of the audience. I did try to photograph that but it came out a blur. They promised to have the cannon similar to what AC/DC use for their giant hit, “For Those About to Rock, We Salute You.” While there was no physical cannon, they did use sound effects from a laptop for the cannon blasts. It still worked as they had the packed house on their feet and yelling in praise, me included.

Lead singer carrying lead guitarist around on his shoulders

That was what the photo was supposed to be anyway. But the blurred photo doesn’t do justice to what a cool show it was and the fact that I was able to grab an AC/DC dollar bill when they were thrown out to the crowd. Even though, they played the famous songs, there were still many different tunes from their previous visit nine months ago. Hell’s Bells provided a great night of AC/DC fun and I was glad I was there. I’ll probably go when they come back in the Autumn.

FFI http://www.hellsbells.info

Next post will definitely be Ted Nugent- State of Shock

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London.

Great Metal Albums of 1979: AC/DC- Highway to Hell

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get another post out before the weekend, but fortunately, as schools in the UK break up for half term on Friday, there isn’t a need for supply teachers. Therefore, I am able to bring you that album that consciously influenced my decision to join the ranks of heavy metal. “Highway to Hell” was the album that basically ended the seventies and opened up the door to the eighties for me and I’ve been eternally grateful ever since.

For me, the title track alone would make this album but the other songs lift it up to a place where you need the Hubble Telescope to see it. Those hard rocking riffs just set my head to bobbing and I just can’t stop it. While, I can go on forever about the first song, the album in no way loses anything with the nine other songs. “Touch Too Much” is a brilliant headbanger and with “Beating Around the Bush,” there has been no other lead-rhythm guitar combination that has been performed better than the way the Young Brothers do it on this song. Then, there is the amusing lyrics on “Walk All Over You.” Many times in the company of a lady, I have thought or even told her, “You look so good under me.” Of course, I have also experienced the lyrics in the song “Shot Down in Flames.”

Track Listing:

1. Highway to Hell

2. Girls Got Rhythm

3. Walk All Over You

4. Touch Too Much

5. Beating Around the Bush

6. Shot Down In Flames

7. Get it Hot

8. If You Want Blood (You Got It)

9. Love Hungry Man

10. Night Prowler

AC/DC

Bon Scott- vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Cliff Williams- bass

Phil Rudd- drums

As I said before, originally I was going to wait until the end of my journey through 1979 to visit this album, but with Hell’s Bells coming to town this weekend, I thought it appropriate to visit it now. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know how Hell’s Bells are in the next post and if they continue to be note perfect. If there is any album to get me into the mood for the night, it would be “Highway to Hell.” This for me, kicked my ass into the 80s.

Next post: Ted Nugent- State of Shock

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

FFI on Hell’s Bells, go to http://www.hellsbell.info