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Band Name: AC/DC
Album Name: High Voltage
Rating: 4 / 5 User Rating: 4.7 / 5
Label: Atlantic Records
Buy Album: Amazon.com
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Tracklist
1. It's A Long Way To The Top
(If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)
2. Rock 'N' Roll Singer
3. The Jack
4. Live Wire
5. T.N.T.
6. Can I Sit Next To You Girl
7. Little Lover
8. She's Got Balls
9. High Voltage
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Although by 1976, most Australians had become more than familiar with the swaggering, brawling sounds of these five rough and tumble rouges, fans in America were just catching on to this band's low down and dirty style of guitar based music, with this, the group's first proper stateside release. 'High Voltage' would cast these Aussie rockers directly into the public eye with a suitable dose of alcohol infused, grimy sounds during a time when there were but a handful of 'heavy metal' acts circulating worldwide. This would not be the case for very long, however, as the brash sounds of these five street tough rockers would go on to influence the forming of a great many bands, some of which would remain in the garage, while others would be thrust into the limelight due to the influence of this legendary act.
Long time commercial radio staple 'It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)' would make for an appropriate casting call for many of these acts to follow, electrifying audiences worldwide with its edgy swagger and the instant charisma of the inimitable voice of singer Bon Scott. One thing remains certain; guitarist Angus Young had become a master of the blues at a very tender age as evidenced on 'The Jack', a song that would go on to be a live favorite at concert arenas around the world. Young's technique here is impeccable; as the young axe maniac unleashes a flurry of electrically infused hammer-ons overtop his brother Malcolm's well-placed guitar rhythms. Bassist Mark Evans utilizes a simple yet nonetheless effective technique on 'Live Wire' that keeps the track driving forward as Scott wails out the track's chorus.
Even during this early stage of the group's career, the band had found that original spark that would make their sound instantly recognizable. 'T.N.T.', a long time fan favorite is a textbook example of the group's approach, which is made all the more powerful by the attention to dynamic that becomes obvious by this point of the record. Young provides a short, ripping solo on this track that is undeniable effective, his Gibson SG squealing away with a sharp, biting tonality. Phil Rudd plays with a measure of restraint that increases the dynamic quality of 'Can I Sit Next To You Girl' and 'She's Got Balls' as the drummer gives the band's songs only that which they require and nothing more.
This impressive debut is capped off with the anthemic title track that would serve as a fitting calling card for a group that never lost sight of its roots nor its vision. This initiation of one of the biggest careers in music serves as the ultimate representation of sonic juvenile delinquency.
Review by: EF
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