Black Ice (Wal-Mart) [Digipak] by AC/DC (CD, Oct-2008, Columbia USA)

In a year that saw the long-awaited return of rockers of old (read: Guns n' Roses), AC/DC's latest entry is an utterly forgettable bit of throwback rock that can hardly compare to the band's previous work. Like Guns n' Roses, singer Brian Johnson still sounds fantastic, but the tedious, unvarying tracks add little to the band's canon of tunes.

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what's missing from "Black Ice," especially compared to AC/DC's masterworks, like "Back in Black." Simply put, the music seems routine. The band shows up, does their thing and leaves. Indeed, "Black Ice" is a study of how many songs can use the words "rock and roll" in the title. This coupled with the fact that the album is only available at WalMart will no doubt add to buyers' chagrin.

In a word, skip "Black Ice" and delve into the archives for some truly rockin' AC/DC material.

Thanks for reading. If you found this review helpful, please vote "yes" at the bottom of this entry. Happy listening!

I read a review from another fellow and simply felt compelled to write one myself. First off, I've been a fan of AC/DC since the beginning of the Brian Johnson years and "Back in Black" (my jr. high school years). Secondly, its not fair at all to compare this (like a previous reviewer has) to any of the old AC/DC classic studio releases. What you have in Black Ice is a return to what made AC/DC so successful in the 80's. Very simple, hooky, story-telling lyrics. Brian Johnson must be doing some throat exercises because I swear he sounds 15 years younger on this release, and is less raspy. The band is, well, IT'S AC/DC pure and simple!!! Mostly 3 chords, smokin' guitar licks from the master Angus Young and straightforward, heart pounding, relentless percussion. I must admit, I didn't much care for a few of AC/DC's releases in the 90's (they were average, but uninspired for a long while) but with the release of 2008's Black Ice they reached down deep and made a really catchy release that will easily stand the test of time, and tempt a new generation of people to become fans of AC/DC, and in the end, those very folks will then go back into the old catalog and discover AC/DC's past (including the excellent Bon Scott years) and maybe familiarize themselves with albums like Powerage and Jailbreak '74 also. My advice? Buy this, buy it now, when it arrives put it in your player and crank it up and rip the knob off!....and oh yeah, play some air guitar and enjoy!

AC/DC STILL HAS THE ROCK POWER THAT THEY STARTED WITH,IT JUST TOOK
TO LONG FOR A NEW CD. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT WAITING FOR NEW TUNES!

I like Rock and Roll Train. A couple other songs are fairly good. Wouldn't buy it again. Would just download RnR Train.

Just like the music of old, these guys come back with hard hit tunes that set your heart a racing and leaves you begging for more. this is a must have for any true fan

LOVE AC/DC. This person has a great ebay record and communicated with me regarding any concerns I had.

I bought this for my son as a gift and I needed to buy the walmart edited version due to the fact hes only 9 and he really wanted this cd he loves it!!

This CD is pure Rock N Roll. The best. I have been an AC DC fan my whole life and this one is the best. I cant stop thinking about some of the songs because I play this disc everyday; its good tunes