Ac/Dc - Power Up

AC/DC – Power Up

86 / 100
4
(1)

Overall a good effort from AC/DC, without really setting the world on fire. After repeated plays, it’s certainly grown on me.

Written by: Dangerzone

ARTIST: AC/DC
ALBUM: Power Up
LABEL: Columbia
SERIAL: 19439744632 (CD: USA, Europe)
YEAR: 2020
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Australia Flag

LINEUP: Brian Johnson – vocals * Angus Young – guitar * Stevie Young – guitar * Cliff Williams – bass * Phil Rudd – drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Realize * 02 Rejection * 03 Shot In The Dark * 04 Through The Mists Of Time * 05 Kick You When You’re Down * 06 Witch’s Spell * 07 Demon Fire * 08 Wild Reputation * 09 No Mans Land * 10 Systems Down * 11 Money Shot * 12 Code Red

RATING: Score=75%

WEBLINKS: Site Link

Background

One of the more pleasant surprises of this otherwise dismal year, was the announcement of a new album by AC/DC, one that had been rumored for some time, following reports of the band recording in Canada in 2018. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who thought the band was done for good, especially after the death of Malcolm Young and the tour featuring Axl Rose a few years back. Thankfully, the lads have reunited (including Phil Rudd) and have seen fit to inflict 12 new tracks of vintage AC/DC on the weary public, a rare delight if ever there was one.

Acdc 2020 Bandpic

The Songs

If you’ve heard anything the band has done since ‘Black Ice’, then you’ll know what to expect here. Granted AC/DC have always maintained their classic, identifiable sound, but it hasn’t had the same impact as the output from the 70’s or 80’s in my opinion. Both ‘Realize’ and ‘Rejection’ have a bit more meat in the riffs than most of the tracks, making me wonder what particular time frame these songs are culled from.

The rest of the album is amiable at best, with ‘Demon Fire’ offering a bit of speed and some riffs that have the essence of old. Everything else is just there, plodding along like you’d expect any latter day AC/DC album to do. Allegedly this is a selection of leftovers from ‘Black Ice,’ so it’s not too surprising. That’s not to say there aren’t highlights, with ‘Code Red’ containing some nice buildup to the chorus and ‘Kick You When You’re Down’ as cornball as the band has ever been melody wise.

Some tracks drag, especially ‘No Man’s Land,’ really pushing the drawn out, slow blues approach. The opening riff of ‘Wild Reputation’ has a touch of the ‘Fly On The Wall’ period. The lyrics to ‘Money Shot’ are as hilarious as you’d expect with a title like that. How’s this for a sample? ‘Doctor, what’s the antidote? Lady, just try the money shot, best taken when hot.’ The Angus Young guitar solo here is the best on the album, fiery and recalling past glories. Sadly there just isn’t enough of it on offer throughout the album.

In Summary

Overall a good effort from the lads, without really setting the world on fire. After repeated plays, it’s certainly grown on me. Any AC/DC is better than none and they’ve sacrificed none of their trademarks here. To AC/DC it doesn’t matter what year it is, they’ll never change and that’s something to appreciate. Will it be their final shot? It’s hard to say, but it’s nice to know that some things never change.

Video

Shot In The Dark (Official)

AC/DC - Shot In The Dark (Official Video)


Through The Mists Of Time (Official)

AC/DC - Through The Mists Of Time (Official Video)


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