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AC/DC's Black Ice: a rock masterpiece

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Money Made
A twisty little arpeggiated riff turns into a powerhouse of a song. Fantastic breakdown section - these guys really know their dynamics. Two rhythm guitar tracks sit atop one another and work wonders. Only brothers could pull off synchronicity such as this.

Rock N Roll Dream
My goodness, it's almost a ballad. Tight hi-hat work by Rudd carries the beginning until…OK, we're blasting off now! Total rock…Oh, but wait…now it's a ballad again. Some varied guitar textures. This is the most elaborate production on the album, but it's not forced or artificial. Very dreamlike. Takes you somewhere new. Fascinating.

Rocking All The Way
I'm nearly spent, but 30 seconds into this track and I'm air-drumming again. Right when you think rock can't get any better than this, the solo clamps down and it's time to ride this one out. Deliriously good.

Black Ice
What sets this song apart from all the others is Phil Rudd, who finally explodes on the drums and shows you what tom rolls are really meant for. Everything is as it should be on the title cut. The power and the glory, sure, but more important, the hunger - the band still has it in spades.

It's the capper, the final encore, the song that reminds you of everything you've ever loved about AC/DC; the song that says, "Let's go hang out with the buds and pop some Buds and enjoy rocking out for the sake of just rocking out." It's one of life's unvarnished pleasures, an AC/DC record that takes you back and pushes you forward.

Well done, lads. Well done. For those who have rocked me, I salute you!

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