I heard the whole album-

NOTE: ***I cannot give a fair judgment  yet because I have only heard mp3's of the songs. In order for me to give a completely accurate and fair review I will have to hear it PCM (right from the retail CD).

I can tell you this...it is a different kind of album for AC/DC in that they changed how the grooves worked on a number of songs. They changed it up in the song structure a bit.

actually Their is a pop dust on many tunes. Is it bad? Well, I am not sure yet? I know it is interesting to hear AC/DC in such light. However, I gotta say the hard core AC/DC fans may be let down by this. Some may be disappointed for the most part because of the aforementioned.

The drum sound you hear with the gated ride symbol over top of the kick and snare on "Rock and Roll Train" is how much of the albums drums sound, and roll ...with that catchy theme. The guitar solo's are pretty good.

Now, are the songs themselves good? Some are good, others are just "decent enough". "Wheels" is a good song and is my favorite on the album. the album is a mix of different kind-of tunes (well, different kinds of AC/DC tunes for their standards) with a poppy fairy dust in spots.

The very positive here is it is as different as anything I've heard AC/DC venture into. Probably their most non-standard album as far as song structure goes. I did not hear an "anthem" AC/DC tune really, like "Highway to Hell" or anything like that, but just more less a mix of good and "decent enough" songs by them.

Don't get me wrong, the track "Anything Goes" is by far and away the most "poppy" on the album. Nothing comes close to that in terms of the light popppy gloss it carries. Also don't get me wrong the album is not deemed a real disappointment. It is just simply "kind-of interesting" to listen to and AMAZINGLY no one song runs like the another on it.

The bulk of Black Ice are mid-tempo rockers and a few slightly slower, non-standard AC/DC numbers such as "Rock N Roll Dream" which goes from a song that is tinged with almost (but not quite) sappy balladry to rocking 1971 classic "Who style riffs" and Keith Moon drumming back and forth throughout the song. This is certainly a real new approach and game changer for AC/DC.  In addition, there is some definite "funkier" sounding material in there from them that you haven't heard them try before. You'll hear it.

One thing that is mostly not present  is the "big", "Meaty" Angus Young guitar sound (then again that has been gone since the eighties). He does well enough, and pretty nice on the solos but the guitars are a little (and purposefully) compressed and gated sounding themselves on much of it. I could be wrong in not hearing it on PCM (CD) yet but it sounded to me that Brenden O'Brien doesn't let the guitars completely out of the gates to breath as their eighties songs. Instead he uses the guitars either as an additional back wall of sound to the song or as a nifty, compressed poppy riff that keeps you guessing a bit. These two recording styles of guitar work and those catchy drums I spoke of earlier is how the album sounds to me right now (as far as I can tell for right now).

Brian Johnson's voice makes the grade. He never totally yells, and screams quite as he used to but he gives it what he has and he receives a pass. In a few spots he tries a deeper more relaxed vocal tone we may of not heard before from him just to let you know he has a trick or two left. Heck, I give him credit for making the record and even tons more for planning this subsequent tour.

Again I will have to hear it on CD (PCM) for me to solidify the actual sound of it.

Still looking forward to getting it being as it was different for them and each song is kinda different.

It is like AC/DC's "Bridges To Babylon" from the way it will rate down the road. Do not worry, while the production is here more than on most AC/DC stuff it isn't even close to being as highly produced as BTB. I can tell you this. It isn't entirely what everyone was expecting (BUT that doesn't always mean it's bad).
It isn't a mind blower but the tracks make it coherent and definitely all of these songs sound as if they are from the same cloth. Every song sounds from these sessions which is a plus, and as well is a sign of a recorded work that has quality to it.  Because AC/DC tried some new things to a point they now have a new chapter to add to their career. It isn't so different that you will not know who it is or will make you feel as though they went completely off the rails. I will put it this way it is as different as AC/DC will allow while still maintaining that it is just an AC/DC rock album they recorded.

The production (while kinda poppy) kept it fresh sounding for now which is good, at least for right now but I am not sure everyone will find that interesting as I did (except on "Anything Goes" when it is just so way and far over the top with it ...geez).


Ian

hahaha. It took the band over 30 years to actually put out something that sounds unique from the rest of their stuff. Good on them I say. I actually kinda like it. Doesn't sound anything like typical Young Brothers though, needs a solo and some Chuck Berry.

It's sounds like Born in USA with Springsteen blowing his nose !!!

Egon wrote on Oct 8^th, 2008 at 1:10pm:


My friend, who pirates things all the time (not me), told me to tell your friend (NOT you) to look here. http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/51501659/black+ice?tab=summary

Egon wrote on Oct 8^th, 2008 at 1:10pm:


You've got an email 

Jeep wrote on Oct 8^th, 2008 at 1:32pm:


Merki jeepy!

You know speaking of "Anything Goes" from Black Ice.

I am not a HUGE AC/DC nut but I do enjoy them for what they are. I always have.

Now this new tune called "Anything Goes"
I admit I do actually "like" it as a tune. It is catchy as can be. But coming from AC/DC I am a little put-off.

I think they certainly needed a change. I admire, commend, and stand by the fact that Producer Brenden O'Brien and AC/DC purposefully tried some new things this time out. That is so cool. Also, I don't have a problem with them adding a touch of Pop to this album or a song.

I just think it is by far and away too over the top here is all. Yikes.

----I have a feeling pdog is going to really hate this.


Ian

so i listened to this album at my friends place (it's actually a friend of a friend of a friend),
and agree with ian: it's very poppy & different from their usual sound.

Still like it though!

AC/DC album leaks; is label sending out fakes?
AC/DC's new album, Black Ice, has leaked online nearly two weeks ahead of its October 21st release date. The record's arrival on the Internet was confirmed on Monday (October 6th), with reviews popping up at websites such as Idolator. Meanwhile, Undercover News reported on Wednesday (October 8th) that the band's label, Sony Music, might be flooding file-sharing and BitTorrent sites with false tracks to throw eager fans off the trail.

Black Ice, the Australian group's first album in eight years, has been controversial since its announcement. In America the disc will only be sold at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and acdc.com, which has angered independent record stores and other chain retailers.

The band has also refused to allow its music to be sold through iTunes, claiming it objects to the sale of individual tracks instead of whole albums.

A world tour in support of Black Ice begins with a private "dress rehearsal" show on October 28th in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Tickets for the trek are among the hottest of the year, with gigs selling out in record time and second nights being added in several major cities.

" I haven´t listened them in last 15years,,,i got tired for the same old song over and over again.
But now,i really like this new one,to me,their best since back in black.
This album has a new groove,and that slide,perfect,they should use it more "


Hi Baby Marko , C10 .......


Weeding ...... ?!



Baby Joey , C10

Played it last night..first spin thru I'd give it a solid B....not great but some AC/DC stylin for sure.