Today I make my way though the final 80's studio album from AC/DC, 1988's Blow Up Your Video. It's been a journey of hope, one where I wanted to like the band more than I ultimately did. However, it's also not been a total loss, nor disappointing. As a whole, AC/DC is okay. They're just not mind blowing.
Sessions for the album began in October 1987, and when completed in September, the band had sixteen songs, which they whittled down to ten for the album. It would become the last album which Brian Johnson would contribute to writing on, with all future songs being written strictly by Angus and Malcom Young. While no official explanation has been given, fans state Johnson was going through a divorce at the time writing for 1990's The Razor Edge began, and simply withdrew from the process, not returning to it since.
During the recording sessions, it was also become apparent to those around brother Malcom Young that he had a problem with alcoholism. While he'd make it through the production, he'd ultimately withdraw briefly from the supporting tour to seek help. He was temporarily replaced during the US leg by nephew Stevie Young.
Feeling restricted creatively, drummer Simon Wright would also leave the band in 1989. He'd go on to work with Dio on his 1990 album, as well as several in the 2000's. During this time, as well as after, he would also go on to work with UFO, Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche, Rhino Bucket, and more. Chris Slade would take his place in AC/DC. More on this below.
As for the album itself, there were some standout tracks, which included, Heatseeker, Nick Of Time, and Two's Up. What I particularly noticed, with exception of the latter, is that the band seems to perform well when writing and performing versus. However, when the choruses come into play, this is where things fall apart, at least for me. They just don't payoff the hooks that are building, and I think this is more so lyrically then instrumental wise.
It was a decent album, and a fine way to close out the year, though not spectacular by any stretch of the imagination. At the end of my journey do I like AC/DC? Yeah, they're okay. I wouldn't write them off as a flash in the pants band, but at the same time, I wouldn't personally categorize them as a legacy band, despite their endurance and contributions to rock and roll.
AC/DC would see a resurgence in 1990 with their next album, The Razor's Edge, which featured the massive hit, Thunderstruck. They'd continue to ride this wave into 1993 with the single, Big Gun, from the Arnold Schwarzenegger film, The Last Action Hero.
As work began on what would become 1995's Ballbreaker, newest member, Chris Slade would receive an unceremonious call from Malcom Young informing him that the band wanted to try a reunion with prior member Phil Rudd. While Young told him he'd like to keep Slade on the sideline as a backup if things didn't work out with Rudd, the drummer refused. Despite this, there was no animosity, or hard feelings.
With the new / old lineup of Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, and the Young Brothers, the band would return to the studio for the next several years to release the aforementioned Ballbreaker, 2000's Stiff Upper Lip, 2008's Black Ice, and 2014's Rock Or Bust. During this time, AC/DC remained multi-platinum sellers, and continued to chart singles.
By 2014, Malcom Young was suffering with dementia, and ultimately needed to retire from music and the band. He was replaced by nephew Stevie once again. In 2015, Phil Rudd ran into legal troubles, which resulted in him being placed under house arrest. While Chris Slade would return to drums for the tours which followed, by 2020 he was once again sidelined when Rudd returned for the release of AC/DC's latest album to date, Power Up. While they've continued to tour, no word has been mentioned of any new studio albums in the works.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS September 28, 1985 |
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