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Ballbreaker

 
Album Review: Ballbreaker
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Ballbreaker

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  • Artist: AC/DC
  • Rating: StarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: September 26, 1995
  • 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, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Hard as a Rock Angus Young, Malcolm Young AC/DC (4:31)
Cover You in Oil A. Young AC/DC (4:32)
The Furor A. Young AC/DC (4:10)
Boogie Man A. Young AC/DC (4:07)
The Honey Roll A. Young AC/DC (5:34)
Burnin' Alive A. Young AC/DC (5:05)
Hail Caesar A. Young AC/DC (5:14)
Love Bomb A. Young AC/DC (3:14)
Caught with Your Pants Down A. Young AC/DC (4:14)
Whiskey on the Rocks A. Young AC/DC (4:35)
Ballbreaker Malcolm Young, Angus Young AC/DC (4:31)

Credits

UE Nastasi (Digital Assembly), Robert Ellis (Cover Photo), George Marino (Mastering), Arnaud Durieux (Photo Courtesy), Bob Defrin (Art Direction), Rick Rubin (Producer), Robert Ellis (Photography), David Wild (Liner Notes), Rory Romano (Assistant Engineer), Brandon Harris (Assistant Engineer), Noel Rafferty (Engineer), Mike Fraser (Engineer), Cliff Williams (Guitar (Bass)), Mike Fraser (Remastering Supervisor), Mike Fraser (Mixing), Patrick Ford (Photography), Martin Philbey (Photography), Angus Young (Guitar), Malcolm Young (Guitar), Malcolm Young (Guitar (Rhythm)), David McMacken (Cover Illustration), Mike Fraser (Producer), Brian Johnson (Vocals), Jeffrey Mayer (Photography), Al Quaglieri (Remastering Supervisor), Phil Rudd (Drums), Steve Holroyd (Assistant Engineer), Steve Holroyd (Engineer), Todd Kaplan (Photography), Kyle Bess (Assistant Engineer), Noel Rafferty (Pre-Production), George Chin (Photography), Masa Ito (Liner Notes), David McMacken (Illustrations), David McMacken (Artwork)
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Games: Ballbreaker
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Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Games Guide
  • Release Date: 1987
  • Genre: Action
  • Similar Games: Super Breakout (Arcade)
Wikipedia: Ballbreaker
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Ballbreaker
Studio album by AC/DC
Released 26 September 1995
Recorded 1994–1995
Genre Hard rock
Length 49:47
Label Albert
Producer Rick Rubin, Mike Fraser
Professional reviews
AC/DC chronology
The Razors Edge
(1990)		 Ballbreaker
(1995)		 Stiff Upper Lip
(2000)

Ballbreaker is the 13th 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). The album featured the return of former drummer Phil Rudd, who had been fired from the band in 1983 as a result of problems and a fight with founding rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young. The three singles released from this album were "Hard as a Rock," "Cover You in Oil," and "Hail Caesar." The album was produced by the prolific and respected 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.

Two weeks into the U.S. 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'.

The album was re-released in 2005 as part of the AC/DC Remasters series.

The album is currently certified Double Platinum by the RIAA in the US, for sales in excess of 2,000,000.

Contents

Track listing

All tracks written by Angus Young and Malcolm Young.

  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" – 4:52

Chart positions

Year Chart Position
1995 Australian ARIA Albums Chart 1
Billboard 200 4
UK Albums Chart 6

Personnel

Certification

Country Sales Certification
United States 2,000,000 2x Platinum
Preceded by
One Hot Minute by Red Hot Chili Peppers		 Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
8 October - 14 October 1995		 Succeeded by
Daydream by Mariah Carey

References

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Ballbreaker - AC/DC". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gx6gtr5qklkx. Retrieved 5 August 2009. 
  2. ^ Twist, Carlo. "Review: AC/DC - Ballbreaker (East/West)". Alpha Media Group. http://www.blender.com/guide/back-catalogue/52625/ballbreaker.html. Retrieved 5 August 2009. 
  3. ^ Dunn, Jancee (November 16, 1995). "Review: AC/DC - Ballbreaker". Jann Wenner. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/acdc/albums/album/282145. Retrieved 5 August 2009. 
  4. ^ Langer, Andy (November 16, 1995). "Review: AC/DC - Ballbreaker (EastWest)". Nick Barbaro. http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid:530246. Retrieved 5 August 2009. 
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This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 
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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)

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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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