### AC/DC: The razor's edge

#### 06/05/11 || InquisitorGeneralis

Since AC/DC, now well into their late 50’s and even early 60’s, are currently leading huge tours around the world, providing the soundtracks to hit movies, and even having video games based around them, it is easy to forget that in the late 80’s the band hit a considerable slump. In the years prior, the band had lost original drummer Phil and his replacement Simon Wright. Guitarist and songwriter Malcolm Young had taken some time off to deal with booze issues, and the band had seen a considerable decline in album sales after the gigantic successes of “Back in Black” and “For Those About to Rock We Salute You”. 1988’s “Blow Up Your Video” got the band back on track commercially, but it was 1990’s quintuple platinum “The Razor’s Edge” that returned them the worldwide headlining status. I would give my left testicle to go back in time and see “The Razor’s Edge” tour in person, but listening to the incredible AC/DC Live will have to do.

Find a better album opening track than “Thunderstruck” and I’ll shake your dick. It is one of the band’s most memorable songs and definitely stands up there with other heavy hitters like “Highway to hell”, “Back in black”, and “Hells bells”. With Malcolm’s return to the band and to the songwriting department and the presence of drummer Chris Slade, it is clear AC/DC was seriously re-energized for “The Razor’s Edge”. While not unleashing gravity blasts or 1/64 double kicks, Slade does keep a steady pace and flow on the drums. Rudd defined the AC/DC drum sound, but Slade’s work on here is solid. “Money talks” is the other hit from “The Razor’s Edge” and is the first AC/DC song I can remember really liking. It has an awesome main riff (just like 1,000,000,000 other AC/DC tunes) and a chorus that is custom-built for huge stadiums.

On these two winners, and on every on track on “The Penis’ Burn”, Brian Johnson’s voice sounds great. I don’t care what anyone says; BJ is more than Bon Scott’s equal in terms of style, sound, and stage presence. Scott was a true rock’n‘roll badass though, so don’t think I am putting down one of the greats. Based on these two commercially successful hits, “Mistress for Christmas” is fucking ace though. “The Razor’s Edge” put AC/DC back on top of the hard rock world. As you would expect, there are lots of songs about sex (“Shot of love”), balls (“Got you by the balls”), and rock (“Rock your heart out”). Thank you AC/DC for reminding me of simple, true things in life.

I refrained from dropping this puppy in the Class6(66) section because after “Bonerfuck” and “Penistalks” things don’t quite get to the top of the mountain of landmark awesomeness. “Fire your guns” and the album’s title track are solid tunes, but definitely a tier below the band’s classic tracks. The production is pretty sexcellent and the boys deliver a strong performance musically. Angus is Angus and he delivers his bluesy licks, riffs, and solos with the expected level of skill and swing. Malcolm’s clear mind makes a definite impact on the quality of “The Razor’s Edge”. If for some strange reason the rock you have been living under suddenly disintegrates and you need an AC/DC record to start with, I would recommend “Back in Black” or “Highway to Hell” first. However, “The Razor’s Edge” wouldn’t be a bad jumping-off point either. If you are a normal human being with properly functioning sexual organs and already own the classics, you definitely need to expand and get your hands on the razor and bleed a little bit for rock and fucken roll.

- Information
- Released: 1990
- Label: ATCO
- Website: www.ac/dc.com
- Band
- Brian Johnson: lead vocals
- Angus Young: lead guitar
- Malcolm Young: rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Cliff Williams: bass, backing vocals
- Chris Slade: drums, percussion

- Tracklist
- 01. Thunderstruck
- 02. Fire Your Guns
- 03. Moneytalks
- 04. The Razors Edge
- 05. Mistress for Christmas
- 06. Rock Your Heart Out
- 07. Are You Ready
- 08. Got You by the Balls
- 09. Shot of Love
- 10. Let’s Make It
- 11. Goodbye & Good Riddance to Bad Luck
- 12. If You Dare