Ballbreaker
AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Albums:
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Ballbreaker
- Artist: AC/DC
- Rating:
- Release Date: September 26, 1995
- Total Time: 49:47
- Type: Lyrics are included with the album
- Genre: Rock
Review
In over 20 years, AC/DC never changed their minimalist, bone-crunching hard rock. During their first ten years, that wasn't a problem, since they were still finding ways to expand and subvert the pattern, but ever since For Those About to Rock, they had trouble coming up with consistent material. Consequently, their performances tended to be a little lazy and their records didn't deliver a reliable knockout punch. Released in 1990, The Razor's Edge showed some signs of life, and their comeback culminated in the Rick Rubin-produced Ballbreaker. What makes Ballbreaker different than the albums AC/DC churned out during the '80s is simple -- it's a matter of focus. Although "Hard as a Rock" comes close, there aren't any songs as immediately memorable as any of their '70s classics, or even "Moneytalks." However, unlike any record since Back in Black, there are no bad songs on the album. Surprisingly, Rubin's production is a bit too dry, lacking the muscle needed to make the riffs sound truly earthshaking. Nevertheless, Angus Young's riffs are powerful and catchy, showcasing every element that makes him one of hard rock and heavy metal's greatest guitarists. Throughout the album, the band sounds committed and professional, making Ballbreaker the best late-period AC/DC album to date. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi| Ballazos Par Fin de Ano (2005 Album by Various Artists) | |
| Ballbreaker/Some Other Level (1998 Album by Andrea Parker) |
AMG AllGame Guide:
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Ballbreaker
- Release Date: 1987
- Genre: Action
- Similar Games: Super Breakout (Arcade)
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
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Ballbreaker
For other uses, see Ballbreaker (disambiguation).
| Ballbreaker | ||||
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| Studio album by AC/DC | ||||
| Released | 26 September 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1994–95 | |||
| Genre | Hard rock, blues rock | |||
| Length | 49:47 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | Rick Rubin, Mike Fraser | |||
| AC/DC chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Ballbreaker | ||||
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Ballbreaker is the 13th Australian and 12th international studio album by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released in September 1995. It was the band's first studio album in five years, since The Razors Edge (1990), and is also the band's final album of the 20th century, as the following one would be released in 2000. The album featured the return of former drummer Phil Rudd, who had been fired from the band in 1983 as a result of drinking and drug problems and a fight with founding rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young.[1] The album was produced by the prolific producer Rick Rubin. Rubin had briefly worked with the band in 1993 to produce the song/single "Big Gun" for the soundtrack to the movie Last Action Hero.
Production started at the Record Plant Studios in New York City, but the band became dissatisfied with the sound there and moved to Los Angeles' Ocean Way Studios.[2]
Two weeks into the US leg of the Ballbreaker World Tour, four gigs were cancelled so that Brian Johnson could attend his father's funeral. During the tour, MTV cartoon characters Beavis and Butthead appeared in the intro during concerts. Five of the album's songs were played live: "Hard as a Rock", "Boogie Man", "Cover You in Oil", "Hail Caesar", and "Ballbreaker".
Ballbreaker was re-released in 2005 as part of the AC/DC Remasters series. The album is currently certified 2x platinum by the RIAA in the US, for sales in excess of 2,000,000.
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Contents
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Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
| Rolling Stone | mixed[4] |
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young. (Copyright J. Albert & Son Inc.-ASCAP).
| No. | Title | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hard as a Rock" | 4:31 | |
| 2. | "Cover You in Oil" | 4:32 | |
| 3. | "The Furor" | 4:10 | |
| 4. | "Boogie Man" | 4:07 | |
| 5. | "The Honey Roll" | 5:34 | |
| 6. | "Burnin' Alive" | 5:05 | |
| 7. | "Hail Caesar" | 5:14 | |
| 8. | "Love Bomb" | 3:14 | |
| 9. | "Caught With Your Pants Down" | 4:14 | |
| 10. | "Whiskey on the Rocks" | 4:35 | |
| 11. | "Ballbreaker" | 4:31 |
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Australian ARIA Albums Chart | 1 |
| Billboard 200 | 4 | |
| UK Albums Chart | 6 |
Personnel
- Brian Johnson – lead vocals
- Angus Young – lead guitar
- Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Cliff Williams – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Phil Rudd – drums, percussion
Production
- Produced by Rick Rubin and Mike Fraser
- Pre-Production Engineer: Noel Rafferty
- Recorded, Engineered and Mixed by Mike Fraser
- Assistant Recording Engineers: Mark Dernley, Steve Holroyd, Brandon Harris, Kyle Bess, Rory Romano
- Mastered by George Marino
Certification
| Country | Sales | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2,000,000 | 2x Platinum[5] |
| Finland | 38,732 | Gold[6] |
| Preceded by One Hot Minute by Red Hot Chili Peppers |
Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album 8–14 October 1995 |
Succeeded by Daydream by Mariah Carey |
External links
- Lyrics on AC/DC's official website
- "Ballbreaker" at discogs
References
- ^ "AC/DC History". AC/DC — Bedlam in Belgium. http://www.ac-dc.cc. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
- ^ HARD ROCK MAG - HS2 - December '96 Interview with Cliff Williams
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Ballbreaker – AC/DC". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r224031. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
- ^ Dunn, Jancee (16 November 1995). "Review: AC/DC – Ballbreaker". Jann Wenner. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/acdc/albums/album/282145. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
- ^ RIAA.com
- ^ Kulta- ja platinalevyt IFPI.fi
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Mentioned in
AC/DC: No Bull - Live at Plaza de Toros, Madrid
(2000 Music Film)
Ballbreaker/Some Other Level
(1998 Album by Andrea Parker)
Stiff Upper Lip [Australia Bonus Track]
(2001 Album by AC/DC)
Stiff Upper Lip
(2000 Album by AC/DC)
Stiff Upper Lip [Reissue]
(2007 Album by AC/DC)
» More