AC/DC - Discography Review

In our discography reviews we will rank all albums from important heavy metal and hard rock bands from best to worst ... with accompanying rationale and scores, of course. First up - AC/DC!

1. Let There Be Rock (1977)

The live-in-studio sound captured here is kick-ass electric, especially Angus' guitar which spits sparks from the 'Go Down' beginning to the 'Whole Lotta Rosie' conclusion. A number of these tracks still bless the Aussie's set lists to this day. Beyond classic ... one of the top 5 albums ever made. (10/10)

2. Powerage (1978)

Another mind blowing release just one year later. This one finds the band taking their foot off the gas pedal a bit (compared to the blistering Let There Be Rock), but the strength of the songwriting shines through. Every single track a classic. (10/10)

3. Flick Of The Switch (1983)

The criminally underrated Brian Johnson classic. 'Guns For Hire', 'Bedlam in Belgium', 'Rising Power' and the title track being amongst the top 40 or so AC/DC songs ever produced. Kick ass all the way, buy and imbibe! (10/10)

4. Highway To Hell (1979)

Sadly, Bon's swan song. There's some mighty fine stuff on here (you know 'em!), but there's also some filler ... unlike the above three superior records. 'Love Hungry Man' and 'Night Prowler' bring this record down a notch. (9/10)

5. Back In Black (1980)

This mega-seller follows the same trajectory as Highway To Hell. Meaning, it contains some of the band's best material, with a few fillers thrown in. 'Let me Put My Love Into You' and 'Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution' - I'm looking at you! (9/10)

6. Fly On The Wall (1985)

Gotta admit going into this exercise I was thinking this was a solid 7, with the thought process being 'very good first side, not-so-good second side'. However, after re-listening to the second side after all of these years, I was proven somewhat wrong. Side 2 ain't half bad after all. Pushing an 8. (7.5/10)

7. Ballbreaker (1995)

The quality starts to fall from hereon out. Absolutely love 'Boogie Man' and the title track, while there are a few contenders littered amongst the rest, as well. The balance though - meh. Inconsistent. (6.5/10)

8. High Voltage (1976)

This international release, containing tracks from the first two Australian-only albums (TNT and High Voltage), contains some top shelf stuff ('Live Wire', 'It's A Long Way To The Top' and 'High Voltage'). However, it includes some infuriatingly popular pablum ('TNT' and 'The Jack') and, again, too much filler. (6/10)

9. Razor's Edge (1990)

Another big money earner for the band. The first three tracks kick things off well enough ('Thunderstruck', 'Fire Your Guns' and 'Moneytalks'), but just look at the rest. 'Mistress For Christmas'? Egads. (6/10)

10. Blow Up Your Video (1988)

There are the 'Heatseeker' and 'This Means War' bookends ... and little else. (5.5/10)

11. For Those About To Rock (1981)

Hey, the bell sold bucket loads last album, so why don't we use cannons this time? Sure, it could have worked, if the band had only spent time writing some good songs. What a let down this was. (5.5/10)