It’s a brilliant AC/DC album. In fact, from start to finish, it’s genuinely possible that this is the finest work to bear the Acca-Dacca name since 1990’s fantastic The Razor’s Edge.
There's a depth of feeling to the levity on Power Up, as if the band decided that the best way to pay respect to what they've lost is by focusing on what they still have. They don't dwell upon the past, they barrel forward with a set of turbocharged blues and high-octane rock that doesn't merely sound good, it feels nourishing.
You know what to expect with AC/DC's Power Up, but that doesn't stop it from being a thrilling ride.
In a recent interview, Brian Johnson said he hoped that fans would enjoy the songs' simple musical honesty, that it would take them away 'from politicians and viruses'. It does precisely that. For those trying to forget that 2020 ever happened, Power Up is a humdinger.
The bottom line is: don't come here looking for any radical variation from AC/DC's tried-and-true formula. Angus cares not for musical experimentation. In the tradition of albums like 1978's Powerage or 1990's The Razors Edge, this is hard, heavy and comes with a big dose of boogie to shake your cares away.
This is wicked. It’s banter. It’s everything you want from music that categorically doesn’t ‘do’ sad. It’s just AC/DC being fucking brilliant. As they sang themselves on Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution, ‘Rock’n’roll ain’t gonna die.’ In the darkest of times, that’s important to know, and even better to hear.
The continuing appeal of AC/DC lies in the fact that this self-proclaimed bunch of “noisy little guys” consistently sound like they’re having good-hearted, OTT fun.
Power Up is one mighty curtain call, and listening to it feels a bit like playtime.
There being no imaginable mileage in comparing any of Power Up to anything but previous AC/DC albums, it's a solid second-tier AC/DC record.
The singles are massive, the deep cuts are strong – sometimes even a touch unique – and, with a united band, Power Up may very well be their best release in the last two decades.
Naturally, there are no real surprises here: Power Up sounds unapologetically like AC/DC, and Angus has likened the LP to a tribute to Malcolm the same way that Back in Black was a back-pew eulogy for Bon Scott
While the album understandably contains some filler within its bottom third, POWER UP nonetheless falls securely within AC/DC's great B-level albums; just as solid and memorable as Let There Be Rock or For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).
Power Up is not just about the music, it’s about perseverance and determination. It’s about never giving up, regardless of what life throws on you, old age, deteriorating health, or even death.
Ultimately, Power Up revitalizes a brand that continues to endure after 45 plus-years, even if what we're getting is exactly what we'd expect from them.
Ok let’s do this
Realize: this hurts my fucking ears. This sounds like complete compressed dog shit. Fucking awful start to this album which I didn’t even care too much about in the first place
0/10
Rejection: ok this is a tiny step up. It sounds like some dated B side from any AC/DC album. Super boring
2/10
Shot In The Dark: it sounds like a song from AC/DC... the lyrics are fucking awful. This means literally nothing
2/10
Through the mists of time: I’m about ready to ... read more
There's just so much to love about this album. From Brian Johnson's beautiful, angelic vocals, to the poignant and emotional songwriting displayed throughout, to the incredibly intricate and complex guitar patterns and instrumentation, 'Power Up' is one of the most unique and mind-blowing albums I've heard all year.
It's not... as bad as it COULD be.
Is it good? No. There's a few redeeming songs but all in all everything is the same and oh my god I'm bored
BEST: Shot In The Dark, Through the Mists of Time, Witch's Spell
WORST: Rejection, Systems Down, Code Red
1 | Realize 3:37 | 46 |
2 | Rejection 4:06 | 44 |
3 | Shot in the Dark 3:06 | 56 |
4 | Through the Mists of Time 3:32 | 54 |
5 | Kick You When You're Down 3:10 | 46 |
6 | Witch's Spell 3:42 | 47 |
7 | Demon Fire 3:30 | 44 |
8 | Wild Reputation 2:54 | 47 |
9 | No Man's Land 3:39 | 46 |
10 | Systems Down 3:12 | 44 |
11 | Money Shot 3:05 | 41 |
12 | Code Red 3:31 | 45 |
#1 | / | Louder |
#18 | / | Kerrang! |
#36 | / | musicOMH |
#44 | / | Consequence of Sound |
#45 | / | Rolling Stone |
#67 | / | MOJO |
/ | AllMusic |