"Blow Up Your Video" by AC/DC - February 1988 Album on Atlantic Records featuring Angus and Malcolm Young (Guitars), Brian Johnson (Vocals), Cliff Williams (Bass) and Simon Wright (Drums) (February 2003 UK Epic/Albert Productions CD Reissue with Access To Extra Online Material via 'ConnecteD Technology' - Part of The AC/DC Remasters Series - Repro Artwork Card Digipak Presentation with New Booklet, Picture CD and George Marino Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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This Review and 209 more are in my E-Book

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"...That's The Way I Want My Rock 'n' Roll..."

 

I'd admit that at the time and as a self-professed AC/DC nut deeply invested in everything about the Bon Scott line-up of this fantastic Australian Rock Band - his loss in 1980 and back-to-business immediately replacement hammered me. 

 

I don't care how many copies "Back In Black" subsequently sold or how good Brian Johnson's vocals were (a near perfect fit that maybe only Gary Holton of the Heavy Metal Kids could have fitted if he'd have been able to stay away from the drugs) - I hated the "Back In Black" album with a nuclear vengeance. I thought it cold and trite and knew how much better it would have been had Bon been at the lyrics helm. 

 

So much of the AC/DC output for the entirety of the 80ts passed me by in a blur of 'they used to be good' oblivion. Until this snotty little number from early 1988 made me rethink and (partially) re-love (4 stars). Let's get to the kissing of the dynamite...

 

UK released 18 February 2003 - "Blow Up Your Video" by AC/DC on Epic/Albert Productions 510770 2 (Barcode 5099751077022) is a CD Reissue and Remaster that utilizes 'ConnecteD Technology' to access extra material via Online Sources (acdcrocks.com). It plays out as follows (42:57 minutes):

 

1. Heatseeker [Side 1]

2. That's The Way I Wanna My Rock N Roll 

3. Meanstreak

4. Go Zone

5. Kissin' Dynamite 

6. Nick Of Time [Side 2]

7. Some Sin For Nuthin' 

8. Ruff Stuff 

9. Two's Up 

10. This Means War 

Tracks 1 to 10 are their studio album "Blow Up Your Video" - released early February 1988 in the USA on Atlantic 7 81828-1 and Atlantic WX 144 in the UK. Produced by HARRY VANDA and GEORGE YOUNG - it peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 12 in the USA. 

The entire campaign of 20 or so titles in The AC/DC Remasters series comes in a card digipak that mimics the 'US' artwork (gold title stickers on the front). "Blow Up Your Video" sports a new 16-page booklet with wildly appreciative and enthusiastic histories from uber-fan ALAN Di PERNA alongside new photos, memorabilia from the 1988 US Tour and of course it sports that all-important GEORGE MARINO Remaster from original tapes that absolutely ROCKS. The 'ConnecteD' Technology angle means that when your computer is 'connected' to the Internet, you can access extra material (music and videos) from their website acdcrocks.com.

The album comes roaring in with one of its genuine rawkin' highlights - "Heatseeker" - the band and Johnson rearing to go. It's the kind of perfect Hard Rock winner AC/DC seem to conjure up in their sleep and not surprisingly Atlantic Records gave it first dibs in January 1988 - the 7" single Atlantic 7-89136 paired with another album winner "Go Zone" on the flipside. With a very definite avoidance of big-hair solos - AC/DC go after the happy with each rocker - of which there are many - saucy lyrics ahoy "Two's Up" "Kissin' Dynamite" and so on. 

 

Re-uniting with the Scott-era AC/DC-sound Producers of old - Harry Vanda and George Young - Johnson let rip. When you hear "This Mean's War" - his vocals are throat shredding while the riffage and drums smash all around you. "Nick Of Time" opens Side 2 with more of the same. And titling this review is the fabulous fun rawk of "That's The Way I Wanna Rock N Roll" - party time at the union hall - glory hallelujah - roll roll roll - blow up my video - tell the boss man where to go. Oh yeah - great stuff. 

 

The only problem with forking out on this snotty little brute is obvious - you'll want the rest of them because your soul knows - you can never have enough AC/DC in your life and on the stereo terrifying the neighbours...