AC/DC's legions of fans have waited five long years for Ballbreaker. Was it worth it? You bet! AC/DC is a hard rock mainstay loved by everyone from author Stephen King to Beavis and Butt-Head. Suggestive lyrics and titles in an all rock, no ballads portfolio are an AC/DC signature with Ballbreaker keeping close to that path. Rather than offend, the lyrics seem a natural part of the rock tradition. Ballbreaker is just the latest in the AC/DC series where it's difficult to tell one album from the next. Brian Johnson is back singing in his high, straining register with brothers Malcolm and Angus Young setting the power and precision of the music. Original drummer Phil Rudd returns and hasn't forgotten how to hammer out the AC/DC sound. "Hard As A Rock", the first single from Ballbreaker, is the best track on the album with other good rockers being "Cover You In Oil", "Burnin' Alive" and the title track. With this in mind, AC/DC fans and hard rock followers can confidently add Ballbreaker to their collections.
Ballbreaker's release comes at the start of AC/DC's third decade. Formed in Australia in 1974, the band's debut album was released in 1976 in the U.S. The next decade saw the release of twelve albums from Let There Be Rock in 1977 to Blow Up Your Video in 1987. AC/DC barely paused when lead singer Bon Scott choked to death following a drinking binge. Brian Johnson was recruited and the band released Back In Black, their biggest selling album to date. "Highway To Hell" and "Back In Black" were selected by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum as two of the greatest rock songs of all times. Back In Black pushed AC/DC sales hard with the band selling 80 million albums worldwide prior to the release of Ballbreaker. Trademark driving rock beats and riffs, sexual lyrics, and Johnson's distinctive vocals made them millions and the band is unlikely to tinker with this successful formula. Frontman Angus Young has been known to say that if people want meaningful lyrics, they should go listen to R.E.M. AC/DC is about, well, fucking.
First purchase to make is that single "Hard As A Rock". Like that one and you'll want to rock all night with Ballbreaker. AC/DC begins a world tour in January 1996 and tickets are on sale now at many US venues. AC/DC puts on a great show. Even though he's 35, Angus Young will be wearing his standard schoolboy suit. Phil Rudd will be making the tour along with other band regulars, Cliff Williams on bass and Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar with Brian Johnson nearly stripping his vocal cords. Get out and see them, rock fans, for AC/DC's Ballbreaker is a sure cure for the winter blues.
