Power Up (2020)


  
 

 1. Realize
 2. Rejection
 3. Shot in the Dark
 4. Through the Mists of Time
 5. Kick You When You're Down
 6. Witch's Spell
 7. Demon Fire
 8. Wild Reputation
 9. No Man's Land
 10.Systems Down
 11.Money Shot
 12.Code Red

 

This is one of those releases where the fact that this piece of music ever got made is just as exciting and uplifting as the music itself. For the last few years prior, AC/DC found themselves in personnel turmoil. Guitarist and founder Angus Young dusted off his ubiquitous school boy uniform and realized that he was literally the only one left in his band. First, his brother and co-founder Malcolm sadly passed away. Lead singer Brian Johnson was acrimoniously dropped from one of their mammoth tours because of hearing difficulties (and replaced by Axl Rose, but that’s a whole other story). Drummer Phil Rudd found himself in major trouble with the law after threatening to (seriously) kill someone, and bass player Cliff Williams probably looked around, decided he had had enough, and turned in his resignation papers as well.

Well, for whatever reason, Johnson and Williams came back, Malcolm was replaced by nephew Steve, and Chris Slade (who had played with this band for several years before) stepped in behind the drumkit once more, and the band managed to put out a great, respectable piece of work that does sound like everything else they’ve ever recorded, but tends to shine brighter than most in many places.

Critics proclaimed that this release was “the best thing the band hads done in over 30 years!” Well, that might be true, but in all fairness, AC/DC had only released four albums during that time frame. So whereas most can’t argue with that sentiment, it must be stated that the band’s best work was, in fact, older than 30 years, and the band had since been releasing acceptable material that was never as earth shattering as what this band was once known for.

So what does make this record the best thing the Aussies had done in over three decades? Quite simply, there’s a handful of songs that stand out a bit more than most, but most fans were probably simply giddy that the group they thought had retired for good, still had life to them, and the life sounded just as testosterone filled and energetic as it ever had. There are no “misses” on the album, even though there are some songs that do sound as so they’re filler. It’s all enjoyable filler, though, and most listeners have no problem blasting this thing through their home hi-fi.

The only song that really stands out here is Through the Mists of Time. It has just enough differentiation to be unique, not only to the other songs on the album, but to the band’s entire catalog as well. It manages to still have the crunching unmistakable band sound though, so it’s not like it will cause the diehards to groan. Since I’m not a musician, I can’t really explain why it sounds so “different”, but my guess is most will agree, and also agree it’s a killer tune. After that, I’m sure everyone will have their favorites. Some of the other highlights for me include Realize, Systems Down, Demon Fire and Shot in the Dark.

Had this record never been released, it really wouldn’t have mattered that much. After all, AC/DC is AC/DC. But the fact that they managed to pull this one out of a hat and make it so memorable is probably one of the best things one can say about the year 2020. Music wise anyway.

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