What else could we possibly need more in these ‘new nothing-but normal’ times than AC/DC?! The long road this band has hoed between releasing Rock Or Bust in 2014 and 2020’s 12-song Power Up would have killed most other bands. Longtime drummer Phil Rudd was out in 2015 after pleading guilty to drug possession and attempted murder — yeah, you read that right. Bassist Cliff Williams retired at the end of the band’s 2016 tour, and Axl Rose had to step in for gravely-voiced screamer Brian Johnson on that same tour after doctors advised Johnson to stop touring or risk total hearing loss. And lastly, and arguably most impactful, Malcolm Young, AC/DC’s rhythm guitarist, co-founder, and principal songwriter with his brother, guitarist Angus, died from the effects of dementia in 2017.
But the Australian rockers have returned, pretty much locked and loaded as we have always known them to be. Brian Johnson is in his throat-ripping prime. Angus Young’s electric guitar leads cut high and mighty. Stevie Young has replaced his uncle Malcolm on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Cliff Williams is steadying the ship, seemingly out of retirement to provide his distinctive heavy bass and backing vocals. And Phil Rudd is out of jail and back behind the kit.
“Realize” sets us in the heavy power-chord, staccato attack we are so used to with this band, and it’s apparent here at the start, as in many places on the album, there is a little sweetening in this particular AC/DC production. There seems to be (dare I even think it) a shimmery almost imperceptible keyboard-like glisten to the very top end of this first tune, the backing vocals throughout this record — and with AC/DC, it’s less harmony ever as much as it is backing shout alongs — are better than they have ever been. And if ever this band was bubbling forth with choruses one could sing along to, it’s across many of these dozen.
The title track provides another one of those strut-rock numbers AC/DC does so well, and with “Through The Mists Of Time,” we almost get a ballad (dare I think it!) as things slow down with tight Rudd rimshots locking-in with Williams pushed high in the mix. For me, this is the best tune on Power Up. “Demon Fire” and “Wild Reputation” let Johnson use his low end vocal asides and these tunes rock like mad! “Code Red,” an obvious single that sounds a lot like a “Back In Black,” sees Johnson singing his fastest around some of the best riffing on the record. Yeah, the lyric is silly, but who cares? It’s AC/DC! I think I could even stand another year in quarantine knowing I have Power Up to spin over and over.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
