Black In Black - AC/DC

This band that has probably inspired the highest number of tribute acts ever. AC/DC were formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by the Young brothers Angus and Malcolm. They got the idea for the band’s name after seeing the acronym “AC/DC” on the back of their sister’s sewing machine. The term means “alternating current/ direct current”, i.e., that an electrical device can use either type of power, and the brothers felt that this perfectly symbolised the band’s raw energy and power-driven performances.

“Back In Black”, released on July 25th, 1980, was AC/DC’s seventh studio album and their first with present vocalist Brian Johnson. Previous singer and co-songwriter Ronald Belford “Bon” Scott died on February 19th, 1980 after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The band briefly considered disbanding after the tragedy but eventually decided to carry on. Angus and Malcolm had commenced pre-production for the album before Bon Scott’s death, and Scott had even written lyrics for potential new songs, but the decision was made by the Youngs to start the album from scratch on hiring Johnson. Producer Robert “Mutt” Lange (probably now better known as Mr. Shania Twain), who had worked with the band on their previous album “Highway To Hell”, agreed to work with them once again on this one.

“Back In Black” is AC/DC’s biggest selling album, having sold over 40 million units worldwide. Angus Young has said in interviews that the album’s all-black cover was a sign of mourning for Bon Scott. It also spawned some of the band’s most popular hits including “Hells Bells”, “You Shook Me All Night Long” and the title track, “Back In Black”. Despite it being AC/DC’s most successful album, “Back In Black” was not their highest charting album. That honour went to their next album “For Those About To Rock, We Salute You”, which hit no.1 in the US in 1982.
On October 1st 2004, one of Melbourne’s central thoroughfares, Corporation Lane, was renamed in honour of the band. However, as the City of Melbourne forbids the use of the slash character in street names, the four letters were combined and it is named ACDC Lane.

“Back In Black” track listing:
1. "Hells Bells"
2. "Shoot To Thrill"
3. "What Do You Do For Money Honey"
4. "Givin' The Dog A Bone"
5. "Let Me Put My Love Into You"
6. "Back In Black"
7. "You Shook Me All Night Long"
8. "Have A Drink On Me"
9. "Shake A Leg"
10. "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution"

Born In The USA - Bruce Springsteen

Released in 1984, Born In The USA is Bruce Springsteens 7th studio album. And, even though it is the first time he used synthesisers, it ROCKS!
The anthem like title track Born in the USA is often, mistaken as a Pro US track, but a closer look at the lyrics reveals a scathing account of the experience of returning Vietnam Vets.

"Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
'Til you spend half your life just covering up"

Dancing In The Dark was one of Springsteens all time biggest hits, only kept of the number one spot by Princes When Doves Cry from previous Critical Junction Purple Rain. The video featured Courtney Cox in her first screen role and was directed by none other than Brian De Palma.

And the hit's just keep on coming, Cover Me (originally intended as a Donna Summer track) Glory Days (a highschool jocks wistful look back at the so called good ole days) My Hometown, I'm On Fire, No Surrender....Heck, let's just play the whole Album.
Altogether now "Wanna Change, My Clothes, My Hair, My Face"

Track listing
1. Born In The USA
2. Cover Me
3. Darlington County
4. Working On The Highway
5. Downbound Train
6. I'm On Fire
7. No Surrender
8. Bobby Jean
9. I'm Goin' Down
10. Glory Days
11. Dancing In The Dark
12. My Hometown

Play - Moby

Moby had been doing the rounds for about 10 years, achieving some sucess in the Club circuit when he released Play in 1999. The critics went into raptures, people bought it in droves, everybody loved it. Especially the advertising industry. Play was the first album ever to have ALL it's songs licensed for commercial use, and because of this, before it had gone multi platinum it was already a huge financial success.
The ubiquity of many of the albums tracks served to distract from the album as a whole and pulling it out and listening it to it now is a refreshing exercise. Genre Hopping Poppy Blues mixed with Rock and Disco beats Moby Plays on this Thursdays Critical Junction.


Track listing
1. Honey Honey
2. Find My Baby
3. Porcelain
4. Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad
5. Southside
6. Rushing
7. Bodyrock
8. Natural Blues
9. Machete
10. 7
11. Run On
12. Down Slow
13. If Things Were Perfect
14. Ever Loving
15. Inside
16. Guitar Flute And String
17. Sky Is Broken
18. My Weakness

Blood On The Tracks - Bob Dylan

After several wilderness years of poorly received records, Bob Dylan released his 15th album, Blood On The Tracks, slap bang in the middle of the disco decade, in 1975.
Dylan recorded the Album twice, the first time with Phil Ramone, in New York, and then, after a change of heart about the sound, in Minneapolis with a bunch of session musicians. It's the latter recording that was released and the achieved a glowing critical reception, selling like hotcakes.The tracks are believed to be inspired by Dylans ill fated marriage to Sara Dylan, though he has denied this. Although most of the lyrics revolve around loneliness and heartache, there is a musical jauntiness mixed in with the gloom, especially on Shelter From The Storm, Tangled Up In Blue and Buckets Of Rain. The ubiquitous harmonica is here for sure, but there is also a great bluesy folksy feel and the Album doesn't falter once in it's 10 tracks most of which we'll be playing on Thursday Morning.



Track listing
1. Tangled Up In Blue
2. Simple Twist Of Fate
3. You're A Big Girl Now
4. Idiot Wind
5. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
6. Meet Me In The Morning
7. Lily Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts
8. If You See Her Say Hello
9. Shelter From The Storm
10. Buckets Of Rain