Music Review: AC/DC rocks once more on 'Black Ice'

By: Dylan Polk / Staff reporter

Posted: 11/7/08

4½ of 5 stars

Powerful rhythms, shredding solos and ear-splitting vocals have defined Australian rock legends AC/DC since the early 1970s.

Their first album in eight years, "Black Ice," stands among the band's best work.

Since 1980, the band has tried to live up to their best-selling album, "Back in Black," with some mediocre results.

However, "Black Ice" stands as one of the band's heaviest and greatest albums yet.

Lead guitarist Angus Young proves he isn't too young to put on the schoolboy uniform and thrash all over the stage with the same powerful solos that made the band famous. Backed by older brother Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, the band returns to its classic, hard-hitting sound on songs like "Rock 'n Roll Train" and "Smash 'n Grab."

Lead singer Brian Johnson sounds better than ever.

Fans may note a slight difference in the delivery of every screeching line.

What's that? Is he actually singing?

Rather than simply screaming or occasionally growling as he has on previous albums, Johnson now delivers songs with inflection in his voice, an uncharacteristic move for a singer whose voice sounds like he eats razor blades for breakfast.

But it works.

High-pitch delivery has been characteristic of the band since the days of late singer Bon Scott, but never before have the vocals been sung with such a bluesy feel, delivering the band back to their roots.

Johnson - and the rest of the band, for that matter - especially shines on the catchy "Anything Goes." With an infectious hook and a head-banging rhythm to go with it, it stands as possibly the band's greatest song since 1990's "Thunderstruck."

Don't let an exclusive Wal-Mart deal fool you: AC/DC is back and better than they've been in 18 years.

Whether or not you're a fan of these high-energy rock gods, "Black Ice" is a must-listen.