uHollywood

Album Review: AC/DC Highway To Hell

1979′s Highway To Hell is perhaps the second best known work by AC/DC, the first being 1980′s Back In Black. Highway To Hell was the bands last album with legendary front man Bon Scott who’s uniquevoice, it could be argued, was just as responsible for the bands success as Angus Young’s masterful guitar work.

From its opening seconds, Highway To Hell is memorable. The opening chords to the albums title track have undoubtedly been heard many times even by those who are not fans of the band and among rock and metal fans, the track has achieved legendary status. Here it does a good job of setting the tone for the rest of the album.

AC/DC never said they were going to change the world, they are just out for a good time. Highway To Hell is the same blues drenched hard rock you’d anticipate from the band, complete with the same energetic delivery and inch perfect musicianship. There isn’t anything new here but who needs new when you have AC/DC?

Highway To Hell is an album that comes out of the gate at full bore and keeps on rolling till the last note. There are no reflective ballads here, just straight up rock and roll. Stand out tracks which even people who aren’t AC/DC buffs will most likely have heard include “Touch Too Much” and the similarly anthemic “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”

Well known tracks aside, Highway to hell is quality from first to last. No filler to be found here. The up tempo fun of “Beatin’ Around The Bush”and the sarcastic, witty storytelling of Scott on “Shot Down In Flames” keep the album rolling nicely into the twelve bar blues of “Get It Hot” and the lose, mid tempo rock of “Love Hungry Man”. The bands blues roots are clear and present in the albums closing “Night Prowler” as Angus Young’s guitar howls in mournful tone accompanying Scott’s low, menacing yet playful vocals.

The musicianship throughout is stellar, from the rock steady rhythm of drummer Phil Rudd and bassist Cliff Williams to the chunky chords and blistering bluesy solos of Angus Young. Bon Scott was in fine voice here and it would also seem in fine humour. It is a shame that such a talent was taken from the world so early, purchase Highway To Hell serves as a fitting addition to the Bon Scott legacy.

A classic album displaying AC/DC at the height of their powers and perhaps their popularity up to that point, Highway To Hell is Rock and Roll done right and a deserving addition to any rock fans collection.

Rating: 5/5