Review by Josh Felty
Rating: ***
Ah, the music of the 80's. There was punk, which begat New Wave and MTV; rock, in its various incarnations, driven by the debauchery of groups like Led Zeppelin and Ratt, grew into a brand new institution better known as hair metal. It was bluesy yet metal, sensitive yet raucous. Perhaps no band better fits into the raucous part than AC/DC, who like it or not, established that high-octane sound which has probably fueled more barfights than anything else.
Airbourne's sound is that very same rough-and-tumble spirit, a paper-thin throwback and glorious homage in the same instance. It's hard to think that I've ever heard an AC/DC song without immediately knowing it: that distinct bluesy riff action, Brian's raspy falsetto screech, the pounding rhythm section. Airbourne takes that sound, more along the lines of Bon Scott's AC/DC than anything, and capitalizes upon it in a fresh, sharp new way.
Track names like "Blond, Bad and Beautiful" and "No Way But the Hard Way" spell the sort of booze-fueled anthemic action that's destined to rock your socks off. And what sort of thing fueled that 80's hair rock sound? The song "White Line Fever" may help answer that query. It's refreshing when rock music doesn't take itself too seriously, is it not? More fist-pumping anthems exist with "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over", "Overdrive", and "Back on the Bottle". Fun music, to say the very least.
Furthermore, there's a few bonus tracks in "Kickin' It Old Skool" and "My Dynamite Will Blow You Sky High (And Get You Moanin' After Midnight)" that round out what may be the most adrenalized rock music seen (well, heard) in an age or two. The rock 'n roll road that Airbourne's paving is a step in the right direction for rock music, in my opinion, bringing back that Harley-ridin', devil horn-pumpin' mentality in a big way. My only qualm is that I've heard enough AC/DC for a thousand lifetimes, thanks to some local classic rock stations. Sorry, you can only take so much. I'm all for finding one's sound and all, but come on. Pick a different chord progression or something.
In many ways, Airbourne is strangely a breath of fresh air (no pun intended, well...) for those hardened Angus Young partakers. There seems to be more behind all the homage/imitation schtick; safe to say Airbourne's at least stretching their legs a bit to sound completely original, including some wicked guitar solos featuring everybody's favorite: fingertapping!
I have to end by adding a comment about the album cover design. One of those hand-drawn looking designs from the 80's, complete with a scantily-clad buxom blonde stretched out on a sofa with dollar bills strewn all over her, a big-rig chasing a tornado, and an industrial wasteland scene behind, complete with a Photoshopped rendering of the band with the lead singer's face not so discreetly pasted upon a different body. Another thing that's refreshing about this album are the sexual and alcohol-laced innuendos thrown about; it's as if Motley Crue and AC/DC spawned Airbourne.
And for that, we can't thank them all enough. Listen to No Guts, No Glory and be prepared for some headbangin' fun.