Apple Music Rank: 90
Album: Back In Black
Artist: AC/DC
Year: 1980
Genre: Hard Rock
Was I familiar with AC/DC? I grew up within earshot of WAPL, so yes. I’m pretty sure they’re still playing these songs on an hourly basis. I’m on my eleventh Apple 100 post and realizing that this might be a bad question. So far there’s only been one of the eleven artists that I wasn’t aware of. I’ll keep it here, but this question is going to be a waste of time.
Had I heard Back In Black before? I’ve probably heard every song on this album. I haven’t listened to it in order in one sitting until now.
Thoughts on Back In Black: This is difficult. How does one take emotion out of music? That’s part of what I like about it. The same way a seeing or smelling something can take you back to a specific time and place, so can music. If I take my emotion out of it, this album rocks. I can see why Apple’s selection team would include this album specifically to represent this genre and era on their list. Good shit from start to finish. I enjoyed this album far more than I thought I would. The lead singer’s voice is grating as hell, though. It’s wild as hell to me that dude is just screaming for 42 minutes straight. His vocal cords are not of this earth. Also, I think “You Shook Me All Night Long” is corny as hell and the one song on this album I’d skip. The rest of it is masterful.
Here’s my problem: Every motherfucker who called me “wigger” in high school and tried (and failed) to shove me in a locker or do some dumb shit to me because I liked hip hop and the NBA and wore it on my sleeve listened to this shit. So, every time I hear AC/DC what I picture is rednecks with mullets and big ass trucks trying to fuck with me and my friends. I’m not blaming AC/DC for that. It’s just a fact. This music reminds me of something I’d just as soon keep in my past. As good as I think this album is, I can never fully embrace it or listen to it with any regularity.
Favorite track: Give me the first track, “Hells Bells“. Badass from start to finish.
Will I listen to Back In Black again? I can’t say that I won’t, but I’ll say it’s unlikely. I’m sure I’ll hear plenty of it just living in northeast Wisconsin without having to play it myself.
Would I buy it on vinyl? Again, I won’t rule it out, but I’ll say probably not. I can think of other albums in the genre that I would purchase first.
To access more expert analysis of the Apple 100 Best Albums list click here.
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