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STIFF UPPER LIP
AC/DC
Criticizing AC/DC's albums for all sounding the same is like complaining that prime rib always tastes too damn beefy. Like, duh. AC/DC's sound isn't stagnant. It's classic. Elemental. And when the Aussie quintet have a fire in the belly and full complement of top-notch rawk riffs, hold on tight because you're in for a fun, fist-pumping time. Glad to report Stiff Upper Lip belongs in the top third of their catalogue and is arguably the group's most consistent effort since 1981's For Those About To Rock. (Alas, there's no cannon fire this time around). George Young returns to the producer's chair and he keeps the performances lean and muscular, while his brothers -- the guitar playing/songwriting tandem of Angus and Malcolm -- reel off one earth-moving riff after another with apparent ease. The rhythm section of Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd is a mighty, metronomic engine, and singer Brian Johnston again shreds his vocal cords for the cause. Of these 12 new originals, only the lumbering House of Jazz (no fears, it's not jazzy at all) fails to quicken the pulse. No power ballads, no self-indulgence, no profound messages, no techno or hip-hop inflections -- just old-fashioned, dumbed-down hard rock that sounds suspiciously like Chicago blues on steroids. Nobody does it better.
Track Listing
1.Stiff Upper Lip
02.Meltdown
03.House Of Jazz
04.Hold Me Back
05.Safe In New York City
06.Can't Stand Still
07.Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll
08.Satellite Blues
09.Damned
10.Come And Get It
11.All Screwed Up
12.Give It Up