I will finish this thread!!!

I will get Stiff Upper Lip & Black Ice written!!! .....


it will happen....

Stiff Upper Lip is the one of the best AC/DC albums of the Brian Johnson era. This album is easily a top three for me, with only Back in Black and Flick of the Switch being a bit higher on the depth chart. Released in 2000 it’s hard to believe this disc is already over 10 years old.

While a five year break in between releases (sorta like my posts in this thread) might have slowed some bands down, this album is strong from beginning to end. With brother George Young (minus Henry Vanda) at the production helm the sound is so reminiscent of Bon era AC/DC that it almost sounds like a twin of High Voltage in certain quarters.

12 songs of glorious blues inspired Rock N Roll. The classic AC/DC finger plucking of the title track or Hold Me Back, Can’t Stand Still, all absolutely brilliant groove laden rock n roll whimsy; they deliver the goods and continue to prove that Malcolm and Angus still have.

Unlike Ballbreaker, the emphasis on the blues this time out is more pronounced. I found most of the songwriting on Ballbreaker a bit uneven sort of like FTATR. Stiff Upper Lip delivers back to the roots tracks like Satellite Blues, Can’t Stop Rock N Roll, All Screwed Up and Give it Up.

On the less than positive side House of Jazz leaves me wondering and Damned is a tad pedestrian; these tracks just don’t add up to rest. However of all the tracks on this album Safe in New York City is the one that garners the most disdain. Personally I don’t understand why, I think its prime AC/DC with its E chord progressions. I find myself thinking of a gangster flick when I hear it, James Cagney. I find myself in the minority on this song many times.

Brian’s vocals sound reinvigorated and just as strong as his first recorded offerings with the band. Cliff and Phil are solid as a rock. Just try and get between those two, it’s not gonna happen. Malcolm is the best rhythm player on the planet. Mal’s drive to create pure rock n roll has never been finer. Angus shines as usual yet I find a fire here that lifts the whole disc to another level.

The boys spent roughly the next 3 years touring behind this album. Not without breaks mind you, but it seemed as if they were doing quite a bit of touring behind it. Stiff Upper Lip added another platinum disc on AC/DC’s already crowded wall. It also added another gold certification for the long form video that was shot in Germany.

I just didn’t think it would be another 8 years before a new album would be released….

For a long time this was my least favorite AC/DC album, over the years and it have grown to not just like it but love it, the band is tight and Mr electric is right, it sounds like vintage AC/DC album.

The Young brothers who have taken over the lyric writing are not as clever as Brian Johnson let alone Bon Scott but the songs work, and having George Young behind the board was a smart move.

The riffs are cool and the backline is tight as a fishes sfincter and Brian Johnson sounds like his trying to push his lungs out his noise, in others another great typical AC/DC album

A lot has changed in the music business since AC/DC last released a new studio album. In 2001 digital downloads didn’t exist in a meaningful way. YouTube didn’t exist. Radio still had meaning. Tower Records and The Wherehouse, Sam Goody was still in business, i.e. people bought music in music stores. Guitar Hero and Rock Band probably weren’t even a dream at that point.

Well in 2008 when this latest album entitled Black Ice was released ITunes was/is the big name is music distribution and CD sales have fallen through the proverbial floor. Perhaps this is why AC/DC announced that Wal-Mart would have the exclusive distribution rights for the first year of its release. No legal digital downloads at all, undoubtedly so they would retain control of their music.

Black Ice is a solid AC/DC album with a few twists and turns along the way. Where Stiff Upper Lip was drenched in the blues, Black Ice has its roots in good ole Rock n Roll. Starting with the first single Rock N Roll Train, Black Ice moves through fifteen songs without pretention.

…Train reminds me of such classics as Highway to Hell or Problem Child; a straight ahead chord progression that delivers the goods without hesitation. Other standout cuts such as Spoilin for a Fight, Smash n Grab, Big Jack, War Machine and the title cut. Each one has solid AC/DC charm which is why they rise to the top of the heap. Enduring themselves to the listener and expecting to be played again and again.

Anything Goes at first left me a little flat, something akin to Rock N Roll Damnation; aimed at radio play with it’s more pop oriented flavor. Stormy May Day and Rock N Roll Dream go in a slightly different rock n roll direction. May Day with its slide sounding guitar riff and the Dream with it’s almost 70s sounding picked out riff. Good songs none the less with a few new add on's to the AC/DC sound arsenal.

Other songs on this album such as Money Made, Wheels, Decibel or She Likes Rock n Roll offer up more rockin goodness that strike as being more worthy than memorable.

Clearly AC/DC will never be mistaken for U2 on the lyrical front; however I remember reading a couple of reviews complaining about the lyrical ‘shallowness.’ Really??? This is rock n roll, not a political rally. Signs that the musical intelligencia were suddenly ‘hip’ to the boys from down under but still didn’t have a clue to what the band was all about. Just because it was the fashion due to a video game.

Three years after Black Ice’s initial release (which was released in 4 different color schemes, one of which with the blues scheme included and expanded booklet) sits at over 2 million units sold. One of the most successful rock tours in history which has produced another live DVD, entitle ‘Live at River Plate.’

Will this be the last album of new material by AC/DC? It’s no secret that Brian told Malcolm he felt that he was holding the band back vocally. Malcolm in response told him he was crazy and put those thoughts out of his head. Reports from this tour were that Mal was correct as Brian delivered the goods on a nightly basis. Not to mention his vocal on Black Ice was solid.

IF this is their last studio release than I would say it was a fine way to go out.

Not much I can add to what has already been said except to state this a solid album by the band and this long into their career it is nice to know that only could they still deliver an album of solid songs, but the band could be so successful showing that the band has been picking up new fans left and right despite their lengthy absence.

For some odd reason I have never gotten around to picking up BLACK ICE. I suppose I should be ashamed of myself for saying that...

GREAT album!!!! Probably the band's best since Razor's Edge. Brian did deliver the goods when I saw the tour, plus he delivers the goods on the Live At The River Plate Blu-Ray!!!!

I'm like Freddy on Black Ice (and most of the more recent AC/DC albums). I keep looking at it when I'm in Walmart then thinking "one of these days".Gotta say I like what I've heard.

Stiff Upper Lip I heard a few times in work. Decent enough, but nothing that I felt the need to add to my collection. Except for the song 'Safe in NYC'. Take one riff, sing "I Feel Safe In New York City" 300 times, end song. Boring! And after 9/11, it just felt weird to hear this song. Pass.

Black Ice
I didn't have too much interest in this album, but I ended up with a free promo copy through work. Turns out, I really enjoyed it, certainly much better than expected. I doubt I would've purchased it, but free is good. Free and enjoyable is even better!!

I was diggin on "rock and roll train" and almost bought it once. Heard the cd at a friends and decided that it fell into how I classify mostly all AC/DC music with Brian Johnson. Won't change the station if a song came on the radio, but nothin seems worth spending money on. I was given an AC/DC concert DVD with Brian as a gift and I sti couldn't get into it.

Good job on the discography Mr "E" 39

Black Ice did nothing for me
Glad downloading exists as I would have been angry if I bought it.
I listened to it maybe 2 or 3 times.Guess I turned into one of my friends who have all dismissed any new AC/DC since "Who Made Who".

Stiff Upper Lip was brilliant,and I agree - was maybe one of their overall best albums since Flick Of The switch for riffs,lyrics,and power (without resorting to some producer to help, the songs themselves were heavy and kicked).

Saw this news bit on Blabbermouth today... AC/DC's lone single w/Dave Evans on vox just went for some nice coin on eBay...

Quote:

According to Noise11, a copy of "Can I Sit Next To You Girl", the debut single from legendary rockers AC/DC, sold on eBay for $1,225. "Can I Sit Next To You Girl" was only ever released in Australia and features lead vocals from AC/DC's original singer, Dave Evans. The B-side was another original song, "Rockin' In The Parlour". The two tracks were the only AC/DC recordings featuring Evans, who was subsequently replaced by Bon Scott. The single debuted on May 8, 1975 and reached no. 19 on the Australian chart. AC/DC re-recorded "Can I Sit Next To You Girl" for its second album, "TNT".

Freddy I've heard about that single FOREVER,
but I've never seen one.....

Pretty fabulous....

Those are my three favorite tracks. My only complaint might be too many songs, there's filler.

Black Ice is a solid album but for some reason it had to grow on me. Rock N Roll train I liked right off. I liked the guitar work on this album alot though. Malcolm has to be the best riff player ever and Angus is the master of chuck berry old school.