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From the Vault...
06/28/2015
#1470 |
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info
AC/DC
"Ballbreker"
© EastWest/Atlantic Records
Year of Release: 1995
Rating:
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track listing
Hard As A Rock
Cover You In Oil
The Furor
Boogie Man
The Honey Roll
Burnin' Alive
Hail Caesar
Love Bomb
Caught With Your
Pants Down
Whiskey On The Rocks
Ballbreaker
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AC/DC
"Ballbreker"
Still Rockin' after all these years...
AC/DC is still going strong with new releases, as this week, we look at their album Ballbreaker, from 1995. The lineup of the Young brothers
(Malcom and Angus), Brian Johnson, Cliff Johnson, and Phil Rudd had been on previous AC/DC releases. And, like these releases, they still rock in true
form, as past albums. Yet there were no big hits from this particular album, the album still holds strong, having solid tracks, and keeping the hard
rocking sound that only they can provide.
As usual, there are some great rockin' tunes here: "Hard As A Rock" could easily have been a radio hit, as it leads off the album with a solid
punch. "Cover You In Oil" is another great tune. "The Furor" is good, maybe not as great as the previous two tracks. "Boogie Man"
has a more slow blues feel, something we don't normally hear from this band.
Then there's your typical AC/DC Rock on "The Honey Roll." "Burnin' Alive" gets a good groove going. And like "The Furor," "Hail Caesar"
is another "good" track, likewise "Love Bomb" and "Caught With Your Pants Down."
"Whiskey On The Rocks" is another typical AC/DC Rock track, yet it slows down the pace, music wise. And lastly, the title track is another
great AC/DC track.
Not a bad song on this album, Ballbreaker still keeps AC/DC in top form. Sure, their albums have been awesome, yet there weren't any radio
hits from my knowledge on this album. Yet on the research, "Hard As A Rock" was the first single (and obviously a good one). The second single
was "Hail Caesar," and the third was "Cover You In Oil" (another obvious choice). Although these tracks may have received the airplay,
I don't recall it. Most likely because there is only one radio station in Chicago that does play their music on a regular basis, WLUP.
Maybe it's because today's music (Rock, Pop, Country, or "whatever") hasn't been outstanding in many years, I really don't listen to local radio
stations that would normally provide the newer music of today. Yet I do remember AC/DC's next album after Ballbreaker, 2000's Stiff Upper Lip.
The title track I do remember hearing on local Chicago radio. Despite that being said, there is no doubt that AC/DC's music is still a force. Loved by
many, they still attend their concerts. And although current lead singer Brian Johnson rocks out his best, many of us still remember the original lead
singer, Bon Scott. Some say he was the better of the two singers. Bon Scott died at the time the band was beginning the recording of Back In Black.
Had Bon Scott lived, Back In Black most likely would have had his distinctive voice. Where most bands would break up after a prospective band
member's death, AC/DC continued onward, and to this day, still records some fantastic albums. Guitarist Malcom Young stepped down and retired from
recording and performing, due to ill health. And again, as another dominant member leaves the band, they still continue on. The current rhythm guitarist
who replaced Malcom Young is now Steve Young. Steve is the nephew of Angus Young, and like the two brothers Malcom and Angus, AC/DC keeps the guitarists
in the family tree.
Ballbreaker is another enjoyable album, from a band that has been around since 1973. Although they've had their personnel changes (changing
drummers -- Phil Rudd had bad experiences with the law), and Bon Scott's death. Still, AC/DC still kicks it in gear, and although changes do occur,
they still rock hard, and satisfy the hard rock fans' appetites for great Rock & Roll.
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