Over the course of the storied rock band AC/DC’s 45 plus year discography, there are two things you can expect with each album: no ballads and a song with the word “rock” in the title. Sure the AC/DC formula is scripted and predictable, but at this point in the game do fans want anything different? No, it’s like going to White Castle and getting a fish slider. AC/DC holds a time-honored recipe, and even now on their 17th studio album Power Up (its second without founder and bedrock rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young), the band’s bolted rock brand is still alive and kickin’.
Returning to the fold are lead singer Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams- all three of whom we thought we heard the last from, following 2016’s dicey Rock or Bust tour that saw Johnson aborting with hearing issues, Rudd entangled in legal problems and Williams announcing his retirement following that infamous Axl Rose fronted final leg. Angus Young and his nephew Stevie Young remain the family blood keeping the AC/DC engine alive and enabled the boys to reconvene in Vancouver in 2018 with loads of riff ideas courtesy of the deceased Malcolm.
“This record is pretty much a dedication to Malcolm, my brother,” Angus said about Power Up, which features co-writing by Malcolm on every song. “It’s a tribute for him like Back in Black was a tribute to Bon Scott.”
Well Johnson’s hearing might have been shot but his voice is the same as it ever was – high pitched, shrilling, and unadulterated AC/DC. But the main item that separates Brian Johnson era AC/DC from Bon Scott era AC/DC albums is the percentage of filler. While Highway to Hell, Powerage, Let There Be Rock all packed a punch both album sides deep, there’s no denying that Blow Up Your Video, Stiff Upper Lip or Black Ice had its share of forgettable side two cuts. Well good news: Power Up is 12 swingin’ tracks of no filler.
“Realize” kicks Power Up off with the one-two punch of so many songs we’ve heard before and the formula still works: Stevie chugging the rhythmic riffs, Angus duck walking on top of it, Rudd laying the swinging foundation, and Cliff Williams doing what he does best- laying low and loud. “Rejection” hollers with a different chorus that ears are used to from the boys, where Johnson almost carries his notes with more flexibility as he has in years.
“Shot in the Dark” might be a carbon copy of any AC/DC song with it’s “all in one” chorus and bluesy strut- but at this point in the game, who needs anything else but that sound. “Through the Mists of Time” brings that unique flair that sounds unlike any other AC/DC song they’ve done before like “Touch Too Much” off Highway to Hell.” This song moves with a “Money Talks” catchy chorus that is more melodic than grinding and Johnson howls a mouthful in the chorus repeating the song’s title.
“Kick You When Your Down” is a song they’ve waited 40 years to make- a sports anthem in the making with hell and high water vocals and AC/DC 101 guitar parts. Although we miss Malcolm, Stevie has really filled in as good as any musician in rock can as Malcolm’s chugging riffs were the bedrock to AC/DC’s sound. The one-two punch of “Witch’s Spell” and “Demons Fire” don’t add up to anything memorable, yet still “rock”. Fans of Powerage’s “Gone Shootin” will enjoy the swinging almost dare we say “funky riff” and swing to “Wild Reputation.”
And while the rest of the Power Up is still the same medicine, it remains a grade of B or better. No ballads and no “rock” titled songs on these 12 shakers. Call it now –Power Up is the strongest AC/DC lp since 1990’s The Razors Edge: Well done boys.
