For over 40 years, Australia's ACDC have consistently delivered the goods. Their output has not been prolific the past few decades so when word gets out that a new album is on the way, I mark my calendar.
Malcolm Young's devastating diagnosis and withdrawal from the band preceded the news of Rock Or Bust's upcoming release. Then, long time drummer Phil Rudd's erratic, criminal behavior made waves across the music world. Chris Slade, who played with ACDC back in the early 1990's, has since been announced to return behind the throne for the upcoming tour.
When I went to the record shop to pick up Rock Or Bust, I spied the vinyl edition behind the counter with its eye-grabbing lenticular cover showing a large speaker busting the ACDC logo made out of rock into little pieces. When I saw the vinyl came with a CD, I was sold.
The vinyl edition is one of the best packages I have seen in a while. The album is a gatefold with a nice picture sleeve for the record and a large 12" x 12" booklet with sketches of lyrics, new photos, and a dedication to Malcolm.
The title track opens the album and like all ACDC albums your foot is immediately compelled to tap to the beat. It was great to see ACDC open the Grammys with this song. The tempo increases with "Play Ball," which was used by MLB during last year's World Series.
Next up is my favorite song on the album, "Rock The Blues Away." I can definitely see this song getting even more airplay in my truck once the weather starts getting warmer. It's definitely a feel-good anthem.
"Miss Adventure" has a bunch of great guitar licks that remind me a bit of Jimmy Page and mid-80s Paul Stanley. The slow and moody "Dogs Of War" comes next. "Dogs of war, soldier of fortune" will get stuck in your head.
"Rock And Roll Thunder" is a great swaggering sing-along. "Hard Times" continues with some great Angus licks. The pace jumps up again on "Baptism By Fire" and "Rock The House" has a great opening guitar part and is another great sing-along (the fourth song with rock in the title, by the way). "Sweet Candy" and "Emission Control" close out the album and leave me wanting to sit down and learn these funky licks that are littered all over this record.
ACDC fans most likely already have this record. If you have somehow made it to 2015 without ACDC in your life, then please check out "Rock The Blues Away" and give it a spin. For those of your wanting to learn to play electric guitar, ACDC are a great band to dissect songs, work out licks, and learn chords to.
Keep listening and thank you for reading this.
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