631 AC-DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap(1976)

 631 AC-DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap(1976)

Studio Album - Heavy Rock



About the Act:

I am a lecturer at Northumbria University. I regularly go to graduation ceremonies as part of my job. In 2014 I went to one of our regular ones, and we happened to be bestowing an honorary degree on Brian Johnson of AC/DC for services to music. 

Johnson took over as singer after their previous frontman and singer Bon Scott died of drinking too much. Before then, AC/DC had been an Australian band, although the founding brothers (Angus and Malcolm Young) were born in Scotland.

They are one of the most famous heavy rock bands worldwide, Between 1975 and now, they have released 18 studio albums.

About the Album:

This was their fourth album, their third best-selling overall, and a major worldwide hit. It was one of the ones with Bon Scott fronting the band.

My History with this Album:

I'm not sure if I have heard this album as an album before. I have heard some of the songs off it though.

Review:

There's something cheeky about AC/DC, or certainly about this album. The whole thing is like a cheeky Aussie chappy, who has barely grown up, and was always in trouble at school. Not malicious, just somehow always in fights, and smoking behind the bike sheds. And scruffy. Tie askew, shirt hanging out. Of course the fact that Angus Young dresses like a schoolboy on stage puts this suggestion strongly into the mind.

The songs are cheeky, though. Naughty, some innuendo, and mostly again about being the naughty boy. It's almost the Carry On of Rock, but not quite. Let's have a look at some song titles: Big Balls, Squealer, Love at first Feel, and of course Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. There's some pathos in here too, especially with Ride On. There are a couple of obligatory songs about Rock & Roll (Rocker and There's Gonna Be Some Rockin'". They are delivered in Bon Scott's inimitable cheeky voice, with great feel and panache. There is a very particular sense of humour to it all that sticks two fingers up at po-faced worthy rock, but isn't obsessed with hell and evil, or even fantasy.

The music is straight guitar-riff-driven hard rock, tight and well-delivered, with guts and oomph. The musicianship is strong, but understated, they don't need to dwell on it, it's a medium for the message, and the message is "lock up your daughters, and tape up your letterbox because it's mischief night."

It's fun, I enjoyed it.

8.4/10

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/76mvVgXOde87B9aOzLXCOI?highlight=spotify:track:2d4e45fmUnguxh6yqC7gNT

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBzBwYhHpqLLHawBXQghqDfEEQ5IWf1gl

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Deeds_Done_Dirt_Cheap



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