AC/DC — Black Ice

Black Ice

Columbia/Sony BMG

Andre Mihsin (CHARTattack)

10/22/2008 3:46pm

AC/DC got their start playing the Aussie pub circuit and making music for smaller crowds of drunken, rock-crazed hooligans before they became one of the biggest arena rock bands in the world. Despite their international superstardom, AC/DC are still a pub rock band at heart, which is why for every overplayed anthem like "You Shook Me All Night Long" or "Thunderstruck," Angus Young and company will always be able to create good rock 'n' roll songs more suitable to dingy tavern and less to the suits and soccer moms that are drunk on a Friday night in a sports stadium. Most people still prefer the anthems, which is why Back In Black and The Razors Edge will always resonate more than High Voltage. And that's probably the same likely fate for Black Ice. With the exception of "Spoilin' For A Fight" and the title track, there probably aren't any songs on Black Ice that could inspire an arena singalong. But if you've come to love AC/DC for their stripped down bluesy rock in the company of a few close friends and a few cold beers, there are plenty of Young's vintage licks and Brian Johnson's vein-popping vocals for you to enjoy. And if this is indeed the band's last record, then AC/DC, we salute you.