The associated eleventh studio album "The Razors Edge" is a bestseller. Top 10 in Germany, England and the United States and numerous other countries. AC / DC show after a long dry spell their resilience. The formula is the same as always - keep it simple. But this time with an extra shot of experimentation.
Because "Thunderstruck" begins almost progressive with its feverish reef and exploded only really from a little more than half of the season. A hit for eternity, to every child can sing along also nearly 25 years later. The surprised he's actually musical average fare and white rather by its unusual construction as bribe by truly captivating melodies. Technically sound sounds all also quite anemic. As ever, the entire production of the album. Bruce Fairbairn, actually a master of his craft and then already by working among others for Bon Jovi or Aerosmith a big name, gives the drums too little pressure and the guitars sound frighteningly thin. In addition, new drummer Chris Slade plays (ex-Manfred Mann) so unimaginative that a loss for words. Sure, no one gets the simple bum-bum-chak-chak such as grooving towards Urdrummer Phil Rudd. But what Slade delivers here borders on refusal to work. None required wild fills or exaggerated end solos, a bit more enthusiasm would have been appropriate. Mainman Angus Young praises him as the most accomplished musicians of the band - sad when hearing about it then nothing pure.
After all, it makes better Slade in "Fire Your Guns". The strongest because schweißtreibendste title LP. There it is again, this unbridled AC / DC power, which attracts an immediately under her spell. Perfect getimete transition Shouts and a reef to die for - horny, horny, horny. In my view, one of the ten best songs of the band's history. Ideal to get rid of pent-up energy.
"Money Talks", the second singing, on the other hand is almost good, but no less charismatic. AC / DC goes AOR? Fast. The chorus is such a hymn that he is already a counter roared from the stadiums in the world at the first hearing in thoughts of tausendenen throats. Apart from re-ultra boring drumming another hit - even on the charts (Top 40 in England). Probably the most commercial song have, the AC / DC ever published (before "anything goes" and "Who Made Who"), yet it works perfectly.
The heavy "The Razors Edge" makes itself heard. Similarly structured as "Thunderstruck". Restless pulsating, but an entire track gloomy. Not my favorite song yet an interesting arrangement.
The "Bedlam in Belgium" -Clon "Mistress for Christmas", however, is arena rock as he stands in the book. Polyphonic Chorus, fat riffs and a pumping bass. Despite its transparency really good.
Really do not want to really heavy sound, with one exception so far. Luckily, there are still "Rock Your Heart Out". Merciless guitar work of the Young brothers and an incredibly groovy bass line of Cliff Williams. Since the weak chorus falls safely below the table. If for clipped Rotzsound certainly become a harsh highlight on the albums of the 70s, through the smooth ironed production but also lacks something the Power.
Who because of the ridiculous plates Patsch snare the third single, "Are You Ready?" at the beginning is weggepennt temporarily out who gets to hear a pretty rich Stampfer as Entschädung. Even this number is placed in the Top 40 in the UK. One of the reference songs on the album.
The remaining tracks "Got you by the balls", "Shot of Love", "Let's make it", "Goodbye & Good Riddance to Bad Luck" and "If you dare" are no failures, but only tear here and there with , All very nice with some strong moments, but ultimately hardly much better than the material of the late 80s. And it sounds like some places even suspiciously like drum machine, so colorless presents the sound.
Why the album sold despite some unspectacular songs like hot cakes, remains a mystery to me. Maybe the masses are actually attracted by the AC / DC ratios quite experimental setup of "Thunderstruck" and the easy digestibility of the compositions. Personally, I've never really found access to this disk. Except for said title song, "Fire Your Guns" and "Money Talks" like me remain in the memory no number really. Sure is that with the polished production that suffocates any originality in the bud. The main reason is for me, however - I must again emphasize - Chris Slade. Fortunately for him after the tour for the album and the subsequent single "Big Gun" (1993) with the final chapter AC / DC. For the successor "Ball Breaker" (1995) Phil Rudd returns to the kit.
"The Razors Edge" is today along with "Back in Black" (1980) and "Highway to Hell" (1979) the most famous works of the band and brings her back at last the attention that she has missed for so long. Since then their is the audience, whether old or young, unconditionally feet. Despite the illness exit of rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young in April 2014 to proceed with AC / DC. A final album is in the works. It would be worthy of leaving a rock legend.
