AC/DC Returns With Black Ice; First Album in 8 Years To Be Wal-Mart Exclusive
I don’t think we’ll have to worry about whether or not the AC/DC has spent the last eight years getting any new or big ideas. Just perusing the track list should comfort fans and detractors alike.
AC/DC will return with their first album in eight years when Columbia Records releases Black Ice on October 20 exclusively through Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.
There are three songs that include phrase “Rock ‘n’ Roll” and one that includes the word “rocking.” There’s a song called “Decibel” and one called “Big Jack.” This is an AC/DC record and I haven’t heard note one from it. Neither has 11 and yet he already knows the chorus to the album’s first single “Rock ‘N’ Roll Train:”
Rock and roll train
Rock and roll train
We’re on a rock and roll train
Take you on a rock and roll train
Rock and roll train
Rock and roll train
Gonna rattle your brain***Or make you insane. Not sure which. $1,000 says they rhyme train with brain or insane.**
Now let me go on record: I like AC/DC. I used to like them a lot, or at least a lot more than I do now. It’s funny. These guys get slagged off for having made the same record for 30 years, and while that may be true there’s no one else out there that makes AC/DC records. There’s something to be said for progression and evolution, but ask yourselves this: do you really want to AC/DC to start inviting hip hop stars for cameos? Do you want to hear them go unplugged? Okay, that might be cool but every band “progresses” the same way and eventually does a “stripped down” record. Do you give a fuck what AC/DC thinks about global warming or if they endorse John McCain or Barack Obama? AC/DC may never offer anything different but they’re dependable.
It’s amazing that a band can lack originality and still be unique, but I’ll be damned if AC/DC doesn’t fit that bill.
The rumors of the album title and exclusive partnership with Wal-Mart have been in the news for awhile now, but have only been confirmed by the band’s label today. The album is going to sell for $11.88 exclusively through Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. It will also be sold on the band’s web site. Both the band’s web site and Wal-Mart’s are taking pre-orders for it.
I don’t think I need to tell you all how I feel about these fucking exclusivity deals. I know I’m likely alone in this department, but Wal-Mart offends me slightly less than Best Buy. I’m not softening on my contempt for the practice, but at least the beneficiary is slightly less appalling.
The 15-track album was recorded in Vancouver, produced by Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, King’s X), and features one of the band’s classic lineups: Brian Johnson (vocals), Angus and Malcolm Young (guitars), Cliff Williams (bass), Phil Rudd (Drums).
The track listing for the album has also been announced. “Rock ‘N’ Roll Train” is the first song on the album and will also serve as the album’s first single, debuting on August 28. A world tour to promote Black Ice will begin in late October.
- Rock ‘N’ Roll Train
- Skies on Fire
- Big Jack
- Anything Goes
- War Machine
- Slash ‘n’ Grab
- Spoilin’ For A Fight
- Wheels
- Decibel
- Stormy May Day
- She Likes Rock ‘N’ Roll
- Money Made
- Rock ‘N’ Roll Dream
- Rocking All The Way
- Black Ice
Filed under: Tags: A Day Late and a Dollar Short
The number of “Rock ‘n’ Roll” associated songs on this made me laugh. Maybe when they tour they’ll play them as one long medley. “She Likes Rock ‘N’ Roll Train Dream All the Way.” Kind of like that SNL commercial parody for all of the Aerosmith songs that sounded the same back in the early/mid 90s. “Crazy-Amazin’-Cryin’” and many variations of the song order.
features one of the band’s classic lineups: Brian Johnson (vocals), Angus and Malcolm Young (guitars), Cliff Williams (bass), Phil Rudd (Drums).
really great to have Phil Rudd back on drums.
as far as AC/DC not “progressing”? ah, screw that! you’re absolutely right, nobody else makes these records. hell, maybe they don’t want to. who cares?! it’s still great stuff.
even better when seen live.
Phil Rudd is one of my ideal drummers. No fills, no frills, and no Alex Van Halen ear-splitting treble.
I am not sure I understand these Wal*Mart exclusives. Why would they even go after exclusive distribution rights?
Sounds like a solid album though. And 15 tracks? Most recording artists don’t make it past 10 on one album these days.
To Mark…where have you been? Phil has been back on the drums since Slade left in 1994. Since then, AC/DC has made two albums with Phil (Ballbreaker, Stiff Upper Lip). 15 tracks from AC/DC on one record…most ever…I am down for it.
where have you been? Phil has been back on the drums since Slade left in 1994.
yeah, i knew that, and should have elaborated. these guys have been around so long that Rudd’s return back then still feels “recent” to me.
If AC/DC fans can’t wait for the release of “Black Ice’ I suggest they check out Don Coleman’s song “Women, Whiskey & Rock’n'Roll” wich was recorded to celebrate the life and spirit of Bon Scott. The homage video has been on acdc.com/fromtheband (search “Celebrating the life..”) for several months and really rocks. You can also hear it at- myspace.com/doncoleman OR on YouTube ( Search Don Coleman). It truly has the spark of the original AC/DC that seems to be lacking on “Rock and Roll Train”.