Highway To Hell

AC/DC

Atlantic Records, 1979

http://www.acdc.com

REVIEW BY: Alfredo Narvaez

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/29/1998

Can I just say "Get It" and be done with it? Can I, Chris? Ahhh....I guess I better say more, right?

As the '70s were coming to a close, AC/DC was poised and ready to strike it big on the music scene. Hard work had begun to pay off and they had become one of the big up-and-coming bands. Then, they released this little album and blew the roof off the mutha. Changing producers and recording settings apparently does a lot of good. Enough talk, here's the album.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

The title track is one of rock's greatest songs. Like Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" and Van Halen's "Jump," this song will remain with us long after the members of AC/DC have gone onto better places. For the record, this song is not about devils and true "hell." It's about gaining fame and losing yourself. (Gee, when people like Bruce Springsteen do it, it's seen as progressive. If AC/DC does it, it's moronic. Jeez!).

Along with that, there's "Girls Got Rhythm," "Shot Down In Flames" and "If You Want Blood" - all of which fit the trademark AC/DC rock requirements. "Girls" features some sweet boogie and rhythm while "Shot Down" has got to be one of the funniest songs Bon Scott ever wrote.

Furthermore there's the mean "Walk All Over You" - which must be every sadist's favorite song - and the "ballad" "Touch Too Much." The song about a girl that's too much is great. (And if you've heard Bonfire, both versions truly kick ass). Even the more pop-oriented "Love Hungry Man" and "Get It Hot" are fun.

Then, there's "Night Prowler." Now, Washington Wives pay attention! This song has NOTHING to do with the famous Night Stalker. This song is about that deep, dark, scared feeling you get when you're alone in the night. You know. It's dark in your house and you're walking up your stairs and all of a sudden you get this scared feeling? That's what "Night Prowler" is truly about. (At least, if you ask me.)

With this album, AC/DC crossed into the "mainstream" and showed the world what they were about. "Mutt" Lange's production in here is good and allows each part of the band to shine - from the rhythm section to the sweet Angus solos to the "Shazbot! Nanoo Nanoo!" of Bon Scott. He is still missed.

Highway To Hell proved to be the foot that broke the door down for AC/DC. Their next album, while surrounded in tragedy, became a rock staple, just like this one. Like I said above, just get it.

Rating: A

User Rating: A-


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© 1998 Alfredo Narvaez and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Atlantic Records, and is used for informational purposes only.