JoeLumb's Album Review AC/DC Back in Black (1980)

 It's been a while since I did an Album Review so today I would like to get back to it by reviewing AC/DC's 1980 release "Back in Black" AC/DC got together in 1973 (50 years ago) they released three studio albums in Australia only ("High Voltage" "TNT" and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap") they didn't break the international market until 1977 following the release of "Let There Be Rock" and by 1979 they were set for more commercial success which they achieved with 1979's "Highway to Hell" Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange a producer I've covered on a previous album review (Def Leppard's "Pyromania") he assisted in making the band's sound more catchy and accessible. "Highway to Hell" became AC/DC's first gold record in America. Peaking at #17 on the Billboard 200 while reaching #8 in the U.K. At the start of 1980 the band wrapped up the final leg of their tour and then planned to begin recording their next effort.

All of a sudden tragedy struck the band when singer Bon Scott died on February 19,1980 after he went on a drinking binge he fell asleep and never woke up. He died of pulmonary aspiration of vomit,however the official cause of his passing on his death certificate was from "acute alcoholic poisoning" as classified as "death by misadventure" Following Scott's funeral the band considered splitting after the devastating loss,however friends and family of band member's insisted they carry on,so what they did was recruit a new lead singer and that singer turned out to be from England Brian Johnson his charisma and lead vocal range impressed the band that he was soon hired on as the new singer. 

Writing and Recording for what would be "Back in Black" took place at Compass Point Studios in Nassau,Bahamas between April and May of 1980. Brian Johnson having never recorded with them felt pressure during the process he even had trouble adjusting to the environment but Lange the producer focused particularly on Johnson's vocals,demanding perfection. See that's the thing about Mutt Lange he demands and expects perfection out of all the bands he produced records for. After recording was complete it was mixed and mastered at Electric Lady Studios in NYC. Lead Guitarist and founding member Angus Young mentioned in an interview that the reason they picked an all black album cover was them paying tribute to the late Bon Scott as it was their "sign of mourning" But Atlantic Records disliked the album cover but accepted it anyway under the condition that they have a grey outline around the band logo.

"Back in Black" was released in the U.S. on July 25,1980,released in Europe on July 31st and August 11th in their home country Australia. The album was an immediate commercial success making it's debut at #1 on the British Album charts and reached #4 on the Billboard 200 (U.S. Album Chart) thanks to songs like  the title track,Shoot to Thrill,You Shook Me All Night Long which by the way is AC/DC first top 40 hit single in America (#35 on Billboard Hot 100) and Hells Bells. "Back in Black" sold 22 million units in America alone while selling double the amount if not more throughout the rest of the world. 

My overall rating of AC/DC's "Back in Black" is a 10/10 every song on the record delivered and you can say what you want about producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange when he expects perfection out of a band not only did they deliver,but AC/DC's "Back in Black" has made music history and has a legacy other albums from other artist couldn't match.

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