Monday, October 20, 2008

AC/DC - after the DMCA takedown notification



[You can read the notification here.

I haven't thought much about AC/DC in years, but I -- and I'm not alone in this respect -- have very fond childhood memories. So in terms of the music itself, I was interested to hear that the band was coming out with a new album that might actually be worth listening to, another chance to reconnect with my inner twelve year old. One enthusiastic review said, very simply, "thanks for keeping Rock alive boys." This is where another aspect of the discussion surfaces, however. The new album, Black Ice, is to be distributed exclusively through Wal-Mart! That sounds like more evidence, as if we haven't been deluged enough, that rock is f'ing dead! What the f@&%, guys?!

The business side of things is disappointing, but this band came along before Jello Biafra and the punk indie spirit took root. So what the hell am I on about? This is the band that set me on a Highway To Hell at a very tender young age, and I had to sneak the album into the house and play it when no one else was around. My parents actually forced me to return my copy of "Back In Black," humiliating me in front of the uber-hip staff of Tower Records. In my Dad's lecture, he intoned the title, "Shoot To Thrill," adding, "don't you know what that means?!" "No, actually. It's just great fu... um, neat stuff."

The music of AC/DC seems relatively tame by the standards of what I'd later listen to -- or spin as a radio DJ -- and latter day recordings are probably mellow by the band's own measure. And even with the uber-distracting Wal-Mart component to all this, I've somehow been hit with a bit of juvenile giddiness at the idea of a new AC/DC record. If I had kids, I might even have a listen with them. I can still hear "Shoot To Thrill" and enjoy much the same innocent, exuberant response, as I once did. It's rock 'n roll with a "play to kill" attitude that taps into everything that’s worth remembering about adolescence and I love it. "Yeah yeah yeah yeah."

OK. And now for a taste of what I've been e-rambling about...

Rock 'N Roll Train (from Black Ice)
Money Made (from Black Ice)
Rock 'N Roll Dream
TNT (from High Voltage)
Can I Sit Next to You Girl (from High Voltage)
It's A Long Way To The Top (from High Voltage)
Riff Raff (from Powerage)
Gone Shootin’ (from Powerage)
Sin City (from Powerage)
Night Prowler (from Highway to Hell)
Touch Too Much (from Highway to Hell)
If You Want Blood (from Highway to Hell)
Have A Drink On Me (from Back in Black)
R.I.P.


The following is all that remains after a DMCA takedown notice:

Hells Bells (cover)
by Circus Diablo



"Living easy, living free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Dont need reason, dont need rhyme
Aint nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too

Im on the highway to hell
"

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