Powering Up:AC/DC is back and with a bite

 This past Friday , November 13th, Hard rock legends AC/DC released their 16th international studio album Power Up.  Prior to the recent release, AC/DC's future and status as a band was in shambles . Back in 2014, the band had to cope with the news of Malcolm Young's permanent departure/retirement  as he was diagnosed with dementia . Black Ice, which was released in 2008 would be Malcolm's final album with the band. In November of 2017, Malcolm Young passed away at the age of 64 . It was a crushing blow to AC/DC, the legions of fans, and most of all for Angus Young who was his younger brother. When the band teased two new single's from the upcoming album; "Shot In The Dark" and "Realize", I was skeptical . I love AC/DC and have grown up with their music and they will always hold a special place in my heart and yet the other part of me was thinking without the driving force of Malcolm Young's rhythm playing, would the band ever be able to capture the pure hard rock sound that has made the band a household name ? 

With Rock Or Bust which was released back in 2015 and it having some decent songs and an sub-par production mix, these elements were the two key factors for meon going into the album. I must say , Power Up is the bands best since 2008's Black Ice,  even to go as far back as the 30 year old release of The Razor's Edge. For starters, Stevie Young, who is the nephew of the late great Malcolm Young does a fantastic job rhythmically and respects his uncles craft. The real winners here however are Angus Young and lead singer Brian Johnson. Johnson's vocals have his trademark screech and Angus can still crank out blistering solos and a powerful sound with his Gibson Sg and Marshall amp .

The lead single "Shot In The Dark",  along with "Demon Fire", and "Realize"  all capture what AC/DC is known for . "Shot In The Dark", and "Realize" showcase Young's tasty and blistering blues playing while 'Demon Fire" is a throwback to such classics such as "Whole Lotta Rosie" and "Shake A Leg." 

Some critics have cited AC/DC as a band that will  never evolved musically or lyrically. AC/DC has been running on two fuels their entire career; a killer hard rock/blues/in your face rhythm and blistering guitar solos and lyrics that signify the ultimate party lifestyle . When you listen to AC/DC that is what your getting. With 2020 being such a disaster of a year, we needed this album. Welcome back boys !

Hitchin A Ride: A Boston Musical Hot Take

The USA have given us countless stellar rock n roll artists and bands throughout the decades. With pioneers like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly ; to the 60's counter culture California based heavyweights like The Mamas And The Papas, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane ; to recent trailblazers like The Black Keys and The Strokes , our nation has no intention of slowing down. 

    Boston is without question part of that fantastic lineup mentioned above.  Boston was formed in Boston, Massachusetts around 1975 by founding member and multi-instrumentalist Tom Schultz along with lead singer Brad Delp, guitarist Barry Goudreau, bassist Fran Sheenan and John (Sib) Hashian. The band is known mostly for "More Than A Feeling". While that song is great in its own right, my musical hot take is to dig deeper into the bands catalog and to offer my honest critique.

For starters, Boston, the bands self-titled debut record which was released on August 25th, 1976, is highly regarded as one rock n roll's greatest debut records and it's for good reason. It helps that "More Than A Feeling" was the song that kicked off the album because it became the bands cash cow and a FM rock radio staple. However, this whole LP is chalk fulled with fantastic tracks that are pure American rock n roll and gave the term 'arena rock" its name. 

Key tracks to listen to are "Rock N Roll Band", "Smokin" 'Hitch A Ride" , "Foreplay/Long Time", and "Something About You" 

"Foreplay/Long Time" is in the same league with Bohemian Rhapsody as one rocks greatest epics . The begging is all band members running full steam ahead with Tom Schultz at the helm with the iconic organ/synthesizer intro. Then all is quiet while more organ is played and then like a rocket, the blistering guitar dueling from both Barry and Tom kick in and they give us what is now the immortal Boston sound ; the harmonized guitar parts. 

"Smokin" is a rock bar jukebox boogie in A with killer guitar work by both Barry and Tom (Tom gives it his all on the memorable organ solo) and Hashian's in pocket groove. 

The best song off the album however is "Hitch A Ride". This song alone showcases what Boston is truly made of and shows each band member at their full potential . The Song structure itself is remarkable as the song is tuned up a half of step. Most rock songs are usually standard, drop D, or either tune down a half step. The song kicks off with the ear pleasing acoustic guitar and Brad Delp gives his best vocal performance. Fran Sheenan lays down a killer bass line as well. The kicker for this song however, is the outro guitar solos provided by both Barry and Tom. The iconic Boston harmonized guitar parts are in full swing here and what I love about the solo is that not only is it flashy , but also soulful. 

My music hot take on Boston is this however. After their debut album , I believe the band truly never captured the raw/emotional feel that they once did like on their debut. Granted, they have made song decent songs like "Feelin Satisfied" but even that song alone seems timid compared to every single song on their debut. 

Boston. A band that came into the scene like a lion, and it's footprint  is forever stamped into music history.