Was AC/DC’s ‘The Razors Edge’ Their Big Comeback?!? | Album Review

I’ve been all over the place with my AC/DC reviews recently. But this time, I’m going to take on the band’s follow-up to Blow Up Your Video (1988). I reviewed that album back in August, which you can find over here. Anyway, today we’re focusing on The Razors Edge (1990), which supposedly is AC/DC “comeback” album; I say otherwise, however. 

The Razors Edge, released on Sept. 21, 1990, was the band’s 12th studio album released and 11th album released internationally. It is the first (and only) AC/DC studio album to feature Chris Slade on drums; in case you don’t know, I’m not a fan of Slade’s drumming, so this should be interesting!

“Thunderstruck” wins for the best song to start an album; that song freaking slaps! During live performances, it’s another story, with the audience participation in the “thunder” chants, that riff, Brian Johnson’s screeching vocals, and the pounding drums. Just wow! “Fire Your Guns” took me some getting used to; I went from disliking it entirely to being ok with the track. It is a faster tempo; probably the closest Slade will get to as a human metronome. I’m not a fan of the guys saying “fire your guns” over and over again, but the song itself is not bad.

I mostly like “Moneytalks” because it’s fun to sing, “Come on, come on, love me for the money / Come on, come on, listen to the Moneytalk.” It’s the band’s highest-charting single in the U.S. (peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100), which is odd because there are much better AC/DC tracks than “Moneytalks,” but I still dig it! “The Razors Edge” is ok, but it’s not the best track on the album. I do, however, love the dramatic feel to it, Angus Young does a unique fingerpicking, and the riff kicks a**! 

“Mistress for Christmas” is hilarious, and it’s the band’s only Christmas song, I believe. I’m sure most Christmas songs wouldn’t have the lyrics, “Get a date with the woman in red / Wanna be in heaven with three in a bed,” but who cares? It’s AC/DC! Thank goodness you can hear Cliff William’s bass in “Rock Your Little Heart Out.” It’s a hard-rocking tune where everyone gets to shine. After The Razors Edge, Brian Johnson’s vocals started to go downhill, but he still manages on the following albums; also, as I said before, his energy and spirit make up for it.

“Are You Ready” is, um, how do I put it without offending anyone? As background music, it kicks a**, but the title sounds cheesy and a bit much, even for the band. Instead of asking if we’re ready for a good time, give us a good time already! People are impatient these days. Maybe I’m taking the song way more seriously than it needs to be, but luckily, AC/DC redeemed themselves with a much more appropriate track for them, “Got You By the Balls.” No complaints about that one.

I got into “Shot of Love” because of Aaron and Mike, both of them I met through WordPress (go check out their blogs for great music reviews). That song made me do a double-take on The Razors Edge album, and for that, I thank them for it. Blast that thing in your car, and your life will be complete! “Let’s Make It” has a good groove, but I don’t like how they fit the syllables into the chorus (“Let’s make it, don’t waste it / Let’s make it come on and taste it”). I think the band could’ve aimed for a much stronger one because it sounds awkward to sing.

“Goodbye and Good Riddance to Bad Luck” gets a thumbs up from me for a title that pretty much sums up my whole life! “If You Dare” ended the album on a high note, and hallelujah, William’s bass is noticeable once again. I love that you can hear his bass during Angus Young’s guitar solo; thank you, AC/DC, for giving Williams the credit he deserves.

I think The Razors Edge is an improvement from Blow Up Your Video. I didn’t do a rating for it at the time, so I’d give Blow Up Your Video a 2.5 out of 5 stars, while The Razors Edge would be 3.5 out of 5 stars. I’d also give Slade’s drumming 4 out of 5 stars because he did a good job keeping listeners’ adrenaline pumping. I’ll cut him some slack because of future circumstances. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, despite not being a fan, but yeah!

Let me know in the comments below what your favorite song is from AC/DC’s ‘The Razors Edge’!

Take care and see ya real soon!

Lana