AC/DC
High Voltage
Epic Records 1976
www.acdcrocks.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
It was the first album released by the Australian rockers in America. The first track off the album has stuck with the band after all this time, “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll)". What always struck me about this one was that it was more of an anthem for a band that had already worked hard to make it; AC/DC were just starting out at the time. They must have known something I guess. It’s also one of the few rock songs where bagpipes are acceptable. I love the way it duals with the guitar during the solo.

“Rock and Roll Singer” isn’t one of their most popular songs, but the riff is just as cutting as any of their most famous. Bon Scott sounds quite fiendish on the breakdown. “The Jack” has a great bluesy swagger to it that fits Scott’s cocksure vocals perfectly. Yeah, he’s just rifling through a deck of cards, but hey IT”S ROCK! It’s another meaty riff for Angus on “T.N.T.” The lyrics, especially in the chorus are just plain silly, but they’re so devilishly indulgent. “Can I Sit Next to You Girl” uses a riff that builds and builds until Angus lays down some bluesy licks that would make Chuck Berry proud.

“She’s Got Balls” must have been the prelude to “Big Balls” I assume. What else can I say at this point about the guitar work? You know it’s thick and repetitive, followed by a bluesy solo. I wasn’t exposed to AC/DC until Brian Johnson was already on board. It was a while before I took a chance on the Bon Scott years. I have all of Bon’s albums now. After listening to them I realized we really lost a good one there.

The Verdict
The album still rocks after all these years even though Angus looks like a flaming goofball on the album cover.

Did You Know?
Back in 1976, Rolling Stone deemed High Voltage as “an all-time low”.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne