Highway to Hell

AC/DC is like a delicious plain chocolate ice cream. Every bite is going to be basically the same, but you aren't gonna be all that mad about it.

Touch too much is ACDCs best song and I’ll fight anyone that says differently

Popped the first song on out of respect for the project but as the second started I remembered that all AC/DC songs sound the same and are average at best.

unclear if the album would be better if it were just "Highway to Hell" 10 times. definitely prefer Back in Black over this one. 4/5

Man, listen. When I was learning how to play guitar in high school, it was all classic rock for me, and I’ll never forget when we hooked up Dad’s turntable and I put this on for the first time. I instantly fell in love with this album. So many killer riffs, some great, memorable (and easy) lyrics. It’s pure rock, plain and simple. And there are even a couple songs on here to deflect the claim that every AC/DC song sounds the same (I’m thinking “Walk All Over You” and “Night Prowler”). Of course, a lot of it does sound the same, and if you don’t like that sound, this probably won’t work for you. But if you do, this is undeniably one of AC/DC’s best. The last album with Bon Scott, which was followed THE NEXT YEAR with Back in Black. Talk about a one-two punch. This is a certified classic for me, and one I just recently picked up on vinyl. I’m writing this review in bed before I even get up to listen to the album. I feel electrified. Favorite tracks: Every track really, but Highway to Hell, Night Prowler, Love Hungry Man, Touch Too Much, Beating Around the Bush. Album cover: Iconic. Stone cold classic. Bloody legendary. I have a poster of this stashed under my bed. Angus with the devil horns and tail to distract from the fact that Bon Scott is wearing a pentagram. Guy in the middle with the “fluoride stare.” Rock and roll is most certainly the devil’s music. Nobody talk to me. 5/5

5 I’m going to try to avoid echoing what I think my Dad’s review will sound like as much as I can here, but I do have to validate one thing that I know he’ll say - that being, AC/DC with Bon Scott is true AC/DC, and there wasn’t a bad album released by the group while he was a part of it. Meanwhile, Back in Black is kinda meh and everything after that mostly sucks. I don’t have anything outright against Brian Johnson, but I don’t really care for his vocals, and more importantly, the sound of the group as a whole changed with his involvement - the heavy, raw AC/DC sound that we know and love came to an end with this album, and Back in Black ushered in a new era of overproduced, polished radio rock music. Anyway, that’s my segue to Highway to Hell - it’s probably the group’s best, though as I said before, you really can’t go wrong with any Bon Scott AC/DC album. Either way, what a note to go out on. I know a lot of people accuse every AC/DC song of sounding the same, and I can admit a lot of them do have a similar sound. If you don’t like one song on this album, you’re most likely not going to enjoy the rest, but if you do enjoy the sound of one song, there’s a good chance you’re going to enjoy the bulk of this album. For me in particular, it would be really hard to pick a favorite, though I can probably point to the title track Highway to Hell as probably being my least (most likely due to it being overplayed). However, I will say Girls Got Rhythm, Touch Too Much, and Shot Down in Flames are highlights - though nothing here is bad. I know I normally make fun of cock rock bands for their macho, oversexualized lyrics, but AC/DC somehow is able to do so in a way that just feels naturally cool. I think it helps that they seem to have a degree of self-awareness and humor in their music, and hell, even a dose of humility with Shot Down in Flames. How often do you hear a rock track literally being about striking out with women? I also really like the closer Night Prowler, which involves a really cool buildup of the music that sends the album off on a high note. It’s admittedly a little creepy (and more so in hindsight because of the whole Richard Ramirez thing), but I think its intentions are mostly grounded. Also, I always thought it was kind of funny that Bon Scott’s last words on an album are “Shazbot. Nanu nanu.” I probably haven’t listened to this album all the way through since high school, but as I was doing so for this review, I realized I have just about every song here saved to a master Spotify playlist. So, while I really didn’t set out to give this a 5, I think I’d be lying if I didn’t put it there - this is a truly enjoyable album that has played a big part in my life and musical development. I realize rating this higher than Zeppelin IV is probably insane and deserving of getting my music nerd card taken away, and yes, I’m aware that that album is objectionably better from probably a number of perspectives, but at the end of the day, I have fonder memories of AC/DC and find myself coming back to them a bit more. So, we’re gonna pull the trigger on the 5 - Hell ain’t a bad place to be after all. Sorry I missed the cover band, Dad!

We salute you back!

Classic album. Great send-off for Bon

Other than the title song, the music’s rather mundane

i shouldn't have to comment on this album. i've been regularly listening to it for 40 years. it's amazing.

One of the best blues based rock albums ever made.

I mean, it's Highway to Hell. It's good, classic rock. Enjoy it.

Hell yesss!

If You Want Songs About Fucking That Are Barely Couched In Metaphor (You’ve Got It).

Sure. Why not?

CLASSIC!!!

Classic.

Classic, high energy, feel good

Epic :) Really a classic

This thing kicks so much ass. Just a blood pumping, testosterone fest. A lot of the tracks sound the same, but I don’t even care. It is an adrenaline ride

Yep, that was AC/DC.

While the music is pretty dull and doofy, this is lyrical poetry of the highest order, no? She had the face of an angel Smiling with sin A body of Venus with arms Dealing with danger Stroking my skin Let the thunder and lightening start It wasn't the first It wasn't the last It wasn't that she didn't care She wanted it hard And wanted it fast She liked it done medium rare I mean, these guys must be scholars of the pre-Renaissance Italian troubadours of the 12th-century – the golden age of the sestina (which “Touch Too Much” clearly is, with only the slightest modernizing modifications) – to write such refined verse.

🟦 98 🥇 Highway to Hell 🥈 Night Prowler 🥉 Girls Got Rhythm

Their best album imo, Bon's best work and one the truly great rock albums of all time.

CRÁSSICO foda

9/10

lol I almost shouldn't listen, I've heard this album a kazillion times. I'll admit I prefer their 80s stuff but this is my fav of the Bon era. A lot more oomph than the albums before it, and imo where sooo many 80s metal bands got their ideas... and Airbourne too haha. 5/5.

Good album, doesn't feel like there are any low points.

Good album however none of the songs really really stands out which prevents it from getting a 5

Music that everyone’s dad listens to.

this is a good album but i literally don’t care

it was ok. you're average AC/DC

The most vanilla "hard rock" ever. Definitely the saltine cracker of rock. And people love this shit. Sure the songs are catchy but they're boring to me. I just don't get it.

What an uninteresting, boring, waste of time. The songs on this album sound like 1) a knock off of the song highway to hell, 2) a car commercial, and/or 3) a diary excerpt of a very horny gremlin. The average guitar solos are NOT enough to redeem this album. Not a good listen. 1/5

MASTERPIECE!!!

Ein Klassiker wie ein guter Wein. Mit jedem Jahr noch besser.

An all timer. I didn't need to listen to this but I did it anyway. Bon Scott was one of a kind and music became a little less entertaining when he died. Long live AC/DC. 5 Star classic all day

Absolutely legendary band and this album is one of their best. Having seen AC/DC live several times, I still get goosebumps when the opening chords to H2H begin. Shot Down In Flames is another personal favourite of mine. Bon Scott’s lyrics were just superb!

A classic and so fun!

No notes necessary. I've been diggin' this for decades.

Not sure whether I am listening to this one with my ears or with my heart. Nostalgia mixed with sadness fills my heart. What great guitar riffs. I still love the voice...as if the throat muscles were as brawny as biceps. Love this.

The argument against AC/DC is all their songs sound the same, but the formula works, this record is back to back hard hitting rock songs, it's just fun to listen to.

Yaaaaaaa

Classic Bon Scott AC/DC

\m/ Bon Scott's finest hour! \m/

As with a lot of people, I'm familiar with AC/DC hits but I don't think I'd ever listened to an album other thab maybe Back In Black. Another review said they thought Touch Too Much was theur favourite song. I'd not heard it before but found myself whistling along and even air drumming on a first listen. As a band they obviously have a distinct sound, but unlike others where that can feel repetitive, AC/DC feel like they've explored every edge of their style to produce so many high quality songs. Another album I'd describe as a lot of fun and easy to get into.

Sólo por la canción de Highway to Hell se merece un 5...

One of the top 10 greatest rock albums ever. Pure rock. No BS.

My friends are gonna be there too...

Discazo. Aunque de cierto modo sucede algo como con Motörhead, en donde hay una fórmula que aplican a lo largo de toda su carrera, AC/DC tiene la ventaja de tener más variación dentro de esa misma fórmula y hacer algo como este disco, con canciones como Highway To Hell, perfectamente apegada a la estructura que siempre usan o Love Hungry Man que está bastante fuera del esquema y deja lucir al bajo con un ritmo que casi tiene funk. Más puntos por pensar que este es su sexto disco, pero en los 5 anteriores se pueden encontrar muchas joyas, y que los que le siguen (ya incluso con otro vocal) están también llenos de cosas buenas.

This is not as good as Back in Black, though there aren't many hard rock albums that are as good as Back in Black. I always thought the association of Night Prowler with Richard Ramirez, as if AC/DC had anything to do with his crimes by inspiring him, was tenuous. Not sure if psychopaths need inspiration and attributing music that is otherwise normal to a serial killer's intentions seems like a foolhardy task. Highway to Hell Girls Got Rhythm Touch Too Much Shot Down in Flames If You Want Blood (You've Got It) Night Prowler 6 great songs on this album and it's the peak of the Bon Scott era with the band. I recognize this is presumptuous, but I would bet this album would have been the peak of the Bon Scott era no matter whether he lived to make more albums or not. There is a certain bluesy feel to this album that is welcome but the Brian Johnson era of AC/DC felt like an invigoration for a band whose music all can sound similar. Not a perfect album but a great listen for those who want to know what pre-Brian Johnson AC/DC sounded like.

No. 272/1001 …Highway To Hell 5/5 Girls Got Rythm 4/5 Walk All Over You 4/5 Touch Too Much 4/5 Beating Around The Bush 4/5 Shot Down in Flames 4/5 Get it Hot 4/5 If You Want Blood 4/5 Love Hungry Man 4/5 Night Prowler 4/5 Average: 4,1 Just an all-around great rock album. There's not a lot of diversity, but all the songs just slap.

Repetitive but fun!

A quintessential “classic rock” album where you really get what you sign up for. The songs sound kind of repetitive but if you’re looking for the nostalgic “rock” of the era, it’s a good listen, beginning to end. Especially because there aren’t really rock bands with a sound like this anymore in mainstream music. Walk All Over You, Touch Too Much, If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It) were certainly my favs, and of course, Highway To Hell, which will always be a certified banger. For me this is more of what I would call an “activity album” for working out, running, walking, or commuting.

AC/DC are one of those bands that a lot of people know their big hits but don't know their albums. Fans of the group would argue they're missing out, but are we really? This is not a bad album per se, but the band is not beating the "every song sounds the same" allegations. Key tracks: Highway to Hell

Nothing really stood out to me other than the vocals, the pure pomposity of rock-and-roll, the catchy tunes, and the guitar.

My conscious knowledge of this band boils down to this album's title track and Hell's Bells and hitting Play, I expected an affirmation that I don't need to know anything else. I stand corrected. I did have some proper fun realizing how AC/DC is stunningly good at what AC/DC is doing. But ultimately, beyond my appreciation for them being that, it's still not quite for me.

Turns out I didn't hate AC/DC, I just hated Highway to Hell.

Very solid rock. Should be played as loud as possible, the chien would say.

This album is like road hypnosis. You got through the whole album but like, you don't remember anything on your way through to the end except the parts that sound familiar through radio osmosis I never really listened to ac/dc outside of what have heard from classic rock stations, but also yes I have because all of this sounds exactly the same as that.

The album should be retitled Highway to Hell and a waste of time.

I listened to this album whilst barreling down a literal highway, and while my destination wasn't “Hell,” it might as well have been.

music for 7th graders

👎👎👎

One of the last great AC/DC albums. All killer, no filler.

One of the best pound for pound, song for song, 70's hard rock albums. Easily stands the test of time and is a generational album. There's no college kid who doesn't know all the words to the title track whether they're into AC/DC or not. It's hard rock with a melody and easy to sing along to. The title track, along with "Girls Got Rhythm", "Touch Too Much", "Shot Down In Flames", "If You Want Blood", "Love Hungry Man', & "Night Prowler" are all fringe greatest hits from one of the best and most listened to bands of all time. The only weak song on the album is "Beating Around The Bush" but it's still a good track! No track has under 14M listens, the title track is near at 1B listens, "If You Want Blood" is over 100M. No denying the popularity, longevity and influence this album has had. This is one of their seminal albums and one of the Top 25 classic rock albums of all time. Deserves a spot on the T1001 for sure. 4.5 Stars for me

Banger

patiko. rip Bon Scott

Oh I’ve been waiting for this one. It’s about time we got a classic, amazing rock album. Hit after hit.

Me at age 10 in the front seat of our new-ish station wagon accompanying my mom on some errands ... she goes into a store I wanted no part of and I was more than content to stay in the car and fiddle with the new radio. I remember exactly where the car was when I first heard these opening chords. I turned it up. And then up again at the chorus. By the time mom got back to the car I was into the 2nd chorus and feeling just a little weird about singing the words "I'm on a highway to hell...!" having been dragged to church every week and made to feel lousy about everything including some fantasy-land called hell (which turned out to be real, just that hell is actually the checkout line in a metropolitan Costco) but not nearly enough to stop. Anyways - mom was apoplectic not about the lyrics but the volume which she could apparently hear from inside the store. Buzzkill. TL;DR: Gloriously dumb ("the body of Venus with arms" LOLOLOLOL) fun and if you're not smiling after those initial A power chords then it's never gonna happen and I feel sorry for you that you hate fun. Shazbat! Nanu nanu.... R.I.P. Bon. 10/10 5 stars.

You either love AC/DC or you’re like my friend Nathan and loathe them. If you love them, then you need to decide are you a Bon Scott or Brian Johnson fan. Loved this album. Love AC/DC and love Bon Scott. Grimy riffs. Good Tempo. Fun album all around Might have to go to the shop and get a sausage roll now!

The Good: We are going on a roadtrip! The Bad: Destination is hell... The Ugly: We packed for a ski trip... My wife has the title song as her ringtone, needless ti say I am familiar. However, I had forgotten about the other songs, and what a lovely trip this has been. I agree with many who state that Touch Too Much is the best track in the album, however, too many great songs IMHO Easy 5*

That was one hell of an album

Actually had a lot of fun with this

Yep that's AC/DC

It's nice to hear a hard rock song that references "Beating Around the Bush" instead of singing about a 14 year old girl for once. A requirement of receiving my Australian citizenship was either swearing allegiance over either a copy of this or performing the ceremonial wash of Gina Rhinehart with a rag on a stick. I opted for the former. So expect a biased review as result. Christ this is a horrendous album cover for such a great album. I've actually never listened to anything except for the lead track (mandatory Australian listening), so what a treat every other song on this record was. As far as alcoholic dad hard-rock goes, this is genuinely the best album I've heard from end to end. I didn't lost interest at any point, the guitarwork was spot on with some mental solos, and Bon Scott's voice was nothing short of phenomenal. It's just a shame he died behind the wheel of a stationary car, as we booze cruisers know it's always best to go out in a high speed alcohol fuelled crash. Oh well. I genuinely don't know what song on this is my favourite, they all had me hooked, and I honestly think they were all of top notch quality and tone - except Highway to Hell of course; that song has been played to death at pretty, where you hear it like 10 times a night at any Australian sport venue. This far exceeded my expectations, I genuinely thought this was going to be an album of filler right after Highway to Hell, but there's an enormous amount of substance and great music in here. Will definitely be revisiting in the future after the next 15 Britpop or pedo-rock bands that I will inevitably be faced with post this.

If you want blood, you've fucking well got it. Far and away AC/DC's best album, this is a band at the top of their rock and roll game. Dripping with sweat, swaggering all over the place, charming and violent, this album has character by the can-full. I love everything about it - Malcolm's riffs, Angus' solos, the hard-hitting rhythm section and Bon Scott just being Bon fucking Scott. Bloody hell does this album give me energy! Favourite Tracks: the whole bloody album, as loud as possible. But especially Highway To Hell, Night Prowler and If You Want Blood

Magic

Epic

Solid guitar riffs all over! Awesome

A great album. Missing some of the really heavy hitters that AC/DC is beloved for, but a lot of the middle tier stuff that still gets the vibes up high. They're a classic for me.

Classic. Brilliant. Better than 'Back In Black'? About the same. Bon Scott definitely was a better frontman though. Easy 5.

Excellent

Still sounds great

Un album titanesque, au coeur de l'âge d'or du groupe. Le pire, c'est que c'est même pas le meilleur album d'AC/DC.

Pretty classic Album! I am on my third listen-through! It's easy listening.

Dit blijft echt een dijk van een plaat. Knaller.

Wykurwiste. Dużo lepsza płyta niż myślałem. Same bangery. 5/5

Bon Scott's ACDC for me is the authentic sound of the group. Really enjoyed listening to this and there is a raw edge to Scott's voice that drives the album forward. With this being his last album means its 5 stars from me.

Gud shid

I used to listen It in my youth

It's AC/DC, and one of their earlier albums. Raucous, loud, awesome.

A really good one

All time great album. So many hits. Just doesn't stop. It's simple, but it just hits all the right notes.

To quote the great Robert California "Everything is sex" I'm in between 4 and 5 stars on this one. ACDC did a masterful job of balancing the rock and roll formula. High octane vocals, repetitive and memorable lyrics, simple drum line, most songs peak with a guitar solo. Along with the Back in Black album this is easily their best work. Most of the songs really hit. Some are just so so. I think objectively this album is a 4 but I used to be obsessed with ACDC in my teenage years so nostalgia is going to give it a little lift.

Classic album

They might be a one trick pony but they do it better than anybody.

AC/DC has never been a terribly complicated band. They make rock n' roll — in fact, all they do is make rock n' roll. It's not something they're unaware of, nor ashamed of. You might've seen a quote floating around: "I'm sick to death of people saying we've made 11 albums that sound exactly the same. In fact, we've made 12 albums that sound exactly the same." To some people — heck, to a lot of people, really — this is a huge issue. Like, why would a band do that, just make the same music over and over again? Why would anyone need to listen to more than one album from this group? Heck, more than a small handful of songs, if it's really true all the albums sound alike. Here's the thing, though: AC/DC are good at what they do. They're **really** good at what they do. Regardless of what song or album you're listening to, this hard and fast rock and blues stuff kicks so, so, **so** much ass. That's what's kept them around and as popular as they have been for so many years. It's that you know exactly what you're getting into when you put on an AC/DC album: badass rock music and a good time — no more, no less. It being so simple is the point. In fact, I'd smack down the line that they're repetitive and say that they're more **incredible consistent**. Like, sure, some albums do the sound and formula better than others, but you'd hardly go wrong picking one over the other. In that regard, I've always compared them to Motörhead, another band who makes badass rock n' roll and could be accused of making the same album 20 times. (And for real, like you don't get a kick out of this album's title track, or BACK IN BLACK's title track, or LET THERE BE ROCK's title track, or FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK WE SALUTE YOU's title track, or "Thunderstruck", or "It's A Long Way To The Top", or T.N.T.'s title track... A lot of their title tracks are very popular.) But anyway, that's enough a defense of AC/DC as a group and their sound. What about this album specifically? What makes it so notable it ends up on a list like this, and even 200 on the 2012 Rolling Stone 500? I mean, jeez, it's ranked one spot better than THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL. What's it got goin' for it? Well, of course there's the unfortunate historical context: that this was Bon Scott's last AC/DC album before he passed away tragically young. Seriously, he was only 33 at the time. Just tragic. And while, yes, in a literal sense he was replaceable; AC/DC would soldier on with Brian Johnson... Let's not kid ourselves: Bon Scott was one of a kind. AC/DC would never again sound exactly the same without him, even as much as I do love Brian Johnson and his goblin voice. I mean, I'm not gonna like I've always been a #1 Bon Scott believer; like most other people, I was introduced to Brian Johnson-led hits first. Plus, don't mistake me, I'd never wanna nudge too close to people who're really obnoxious about Paul Di'Anno being a better singer than Bruce Dickinson. That's an annoying realm to exist in. But all the same, y'know, it's an undeniable fact. Johnson's great, but Scott's voice is just way more "hard rock party good times," and, y'know, that's what AC/DC is, at its core. And to that end, the other reason why HIGHWAY TO HELL is here is that it's simply the best the band would ever sound with Bon Scott fronting it. No disrespect to the albums that came before this, particularly LET THERE BE ROCK, but it's like I said: some albums do their sound and formula better than others. And goodness me, does this one ever. Like, there's not even anything I can particularly say that you can't gather just listening to the music. You can hear Angus Young's wild solos. You can hear Malcolm Young keeping the riff's consistent. You can hear Cliff Williams's bass grooving along. You can hear Phil Rudd's locksteady drums keeping it all in place. This is the kind of music where you turn your stereo up to 11 and just rock the hell out. And if you're lookin' for deep cuts beyond the title track, well, I think "Love Hungry Man" is really good. Reminds me of KISS, actually (and I mean that in the best way; I do like KISS a lot). Angus says it's their worst record, and,'ey, I'm gonna say it's their best, but "worst?" Even "bad?" No way. Well, that was a lot more words about AC/DC than I think I was expecting to say — and at this point, I don't think I have any left that wouldn't just be repeating myself. That's gonna make it real fun when my group gets around to covering BACK IN BLACK, but let's not get ahead of ourselves and just close shop on this one. It's a 5, and it's not purely an uncritical one. It's AC/DC at the top of their game, and it's a game I'm more than happy to see them keep replaying. Like, this album was never meant to be Bon Scott's last — in fact, they were working on BACK IN BLACK material right before they passed. I hear it's a hot debate topic whether he should be credited for lyrics or not. But with a few exceptions, no one gets to choose their last work, and as one... Well, I can't think of a better record for him to leave us with. I say this for you, Bon: "Shazbot. Nanu nanu." BWAMP.

AC/DC: The best to play the same song for over 50 years and counting. But in all seriousness, this is some killer hard rock from start to finish, so it's getting Solid 5 Stars from me.

I’m at a 10. Going into this, I knew Highway to Hell (and who doesn’t, let’s be honest), but my knowledge of AC/DC, besides some of the obvious super hits (TNT, Back in Black, For Those About To Rock, You Shook Me All Night Long, Thunderstruck, Shoot to Thrill), is rather limited. I imagine that’s the case for most people, but I’ve always wanted to take a little bit of a deeper dive. I was definitely expecting that most songs were gonna be similar, but hopefully, they would kick ass. They kicked ass, alright, and they blew me away in the process – normally, I might complain about repetition or whatever, but I’m willing to ignore it when the quality of every track is just that damn strong. It’s much easier to type about it when you’re in the flow state of listening to the album, but like… I dunno, I’ve never really felt more in sync with a band while listening to a rock album. I’ve hit similar states a handful of times (i.e. Nirvana, Black Sabbath, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin), but even then, this one felt different. Someone else may chalk that up to “well, it’s just Highway to Hell 10 times, of course you could predict it,” and maybe that’s true, to some degree. I just… it’s hard to put into words, but it felt sort of ethereal to me. This is my first time listening to a lot of these tracks, and there’s some insane standouts here that are criminally underplayed on Spotify, even if every track on the album has 13 million plays – “Touch Too Much” is fantastic, as is “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”, but I think the most underrated one here is “Beating Around the Bush”. It has the second lowest plays on the album, but I thought it fucking ruled, especially with the Ram Jam-style back & forth call/response structure. I’m just a sucker for that sort of thing. I’d love to keep waxing poetic, but I’d just be circling the bases with praise – it’s an unbelievable album, and while the appeal may wear off over time, I think a lot of these tracks are gonna hit like a truck when they come on in shuffle, and I’ll appreciate them all over again. For now, I’m at a 10, and I’ve got no shame in that.