Album review: AIRBOURNE – Black Dog Barking

Roadrunner

Album number three from Aussie rockers and AC/DC worshipers Airbourne. Their previous two albums were not too bad but lacked that certain something to keep me coming back to the albums.

However on this album they may have just released their ‘Back In Black’ or – given the overtly commercial edge of the music – their ‘Hysteria’ (they do have a song on here called ‘Animalize’ though!).

No doubt producer Brian Howes has helped in this respect and the commercial sound is encapsulated in the rip roaring single ‘Live It Up’. This tune was made for radio, rock clubs and outdoor festivals, a massive fist pumping anthem. The same is true of ‘Ready To Rock’, simple AC/DC approved riff and a call and response chorus designed for the live setting.

They even keep the smutty lyrics and song titles of AC/DC with ‘No One Fits Me (Better Than You)’. But Airbourne are more than copycats, having a real youthful vigour in the music and on stage they are extremely lively. The riffs and bog hook filled choruses keep on coming with the awesome ‘Firepower’ and ‘Back In The Game’.

A short, sharp blast of classy rock (the album is less than 35 minutes long) and without a doubt their most rounded and commercial album to date. If like me you were a casual fan this album will have you firmly in the converts’ camp. ****1/2

Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)