AC/DC — Back in Black

• Artist: AC/DC
• Title: Back in Black
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: I really don’t know…
• Keeper: Yes

Even I’m Heavy Duty! needs a vacation occasionally, but we’re starting back with a winner: AC/DC’s Back in Black. Most folks probably think this one is their best record, but to me it’s a close second to Highway to Hell.

Between the all black album cover and Brian Johnson’s over-the-top lyrics if I didn’t know this was AC/DC I’d be tempted to think this record was a Spinal Tap tribute. Except that the music is infinitely better and Spinal Tap didn’t come out until four years later. My friend Gary’s favorite Spinal Tap moment is the lyric “Let me cut your cake with my knife.” Pretty hard to beat that one.

Back in Black would rate a 10 in my book just for the title track alone, but it also contains the classics “Hells Bells” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.” Some other favorites of mine are “Have a Drink on Me” and the corny-titled, but hard rocking album closer “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.”

AC/DC — Highway to Hell

• Artist: AC/DC
• Title: Highway to Hell
• Year: 1979
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Used somewhere, not sure when
• Keeper: Yes

Despite what you fans of the Brian Johnson-era think, you know who you are, Highway to Hell was the peak for AC/DC. It’s unfortunate that it was also the end of the Bon Scott-era, and Bon Scott the man. But what a way to go out! The album opens with the title track and a classic bare bones Angus Young riff, followed by one of the greatest kick drum sounds ever recorded. “Highway to Hell” goes on for two verses with nothing but one guitar, drums and vocals. That simple sound is so rocking though, and what’s better is that you know they are holding back until the chorus. After that one ends and you’re looking for your socks they kick into the more frantic “Girls Got Rhythm.” There are some other hits and plenty of great songs on the rest of the album. One of my favorites is the side two opener, “Shot Down in Flames.” Another great one is “Touch Too Much.” It contains these amusing lyrics:

She had the face of an angel
Smiling with sin
A body of Venus with arms

Who knows if Bon Scott was trying to be funny with that? Either way, it’s hilarious.

AC/DC — Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

• Artist: AC/DC
• Title: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
• Year: 1976
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: ? Bought it used, a long time ago.
• Keeper: Yes

It’s tragic. My Bon Scott era AC/DC collection is incomplete. And I like the early stuff the best. Brian Johnson is fine, but the early sound was much more garage rock, punk rock, and traditional rock and roll. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” is full of silly songs that you never need to hear more than once, but there are also some classics. My favorite is definitely “Problem Child.” Of course, the title track is also excellent, and so are “Ain’t No Fun Waiting Round to be a Millionaire” and “Ride On.”