AC/DC’s ‘Blow Up Your Video’ Is Um…Interesting | Album Review

AC/DC’s Blow Up Your Video, their eleventh studio album (tenth internationally), supposedly, was their comeback album. I see things otherwise! There were only like four tracks I liked, out of the ten on there. The reasons being the song titles were lame (“Kissin’ Dynamite” made me cringe so hard), choruses were not the greatest, and it was a weird time for the band because of Malcolm Young’s alcoholism. The fact that Harry Vanda and George Young (Mal and Angus’ older brother) produced the album made it semi-better, but it’s not an album I’d play on rotation.

I am a fan of Simon Wright’s sledgehammer drums, so that helped a lot! His hi-hat got better too; it’s noticeable on “That’s the Way I Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll” and “Nick of Time.” His hi-hat on “Ruff Stuff” was tighter on that one, but I didn’t hate it! “This Means War” reminded me of “Landslide” from Flick of the Switch (1983) because of the fast tempo, it made me miss Phil Rudd a bit, but I’ll give Wright props for that one. I also enjoyed the drum fills after Angus’ guitar solo on “Heatseeker.” By the way, I do not get the hype about that song; I’m sorry!

My favorite songs on the album would have to be “That’s The Way I Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll,” which came with an entertaining music video, “Meanstreak,” the dangerously solid “Go Zone,” and the blues-oriented “Some Sin For Nuthin’.” From a songwriting perspective, it’s definitely an improvement from Fly on the Wall (1985). My favorite lyrics came from “Nick of Time,” despite not being a fan of the song: “Wrong track, wrong line / Fast train never run on time / Bad blood, bad news / Hangin’ by a rope got nothin’ to lose.”

Two unreleased tracks were supposed to go on Blow Up Your Video, but they got cut because they were stolen and bootlegged. So screw those people that released them without the band’s permission because those were f*cking bangers! “Let it Loose” is a fun song, and “Alright Tonight” has a great groove. Three more tracks didn’t make the album, but they eventually found a home on Backtracks (2009). Honestly, Blow Up Your Video would’ve been a thousand times better if the band added these songs. “Snake Eye” has a cool riff, “Down on the Borderline” has a catchy chorus, and “Borrowed Time” kicks a**! 

I would’ve enjoyed this album more if AC/DC included the unreleased tracks on it. But I think the band was heading in the right direction; in terms of production. The album is also the last to feature Wright on drums, as he quit the band in November 1989 to join Dio.

On the eve of the North American leg of the respective tour, Malcolm decided to take time off from touring to get a hold of his alcoholism, so his and Angus’ nephew, Stevie Young, filled in for him. After attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Mal was able to pick up his guitar again. Therefore, he was present for the remainder of the tour and featured in the promotional videos. But Stevie would replace Mal later on in 2014 due to being diagnosed with dementia.

Comment below your favorite track from AC/DC’s ‘Blow Up Your Video’!

Take care and see ya real soon!

Lana