AC/DC released the first single from Black Ice titled “Rock ‘N Roll Train.” After several weeks of watching the silly YouTube impersonations of the song, it was refreshing to hear the studio version.
The song begins with a classic Angus riff, followed by steady drums and bass, which cues up the Brian Johnson growl. It is a basic rock n roll blues song with a sing along chorus. The Angus guitar solo is a little weaker than usual; I figured after waiting 8 long years he’d unleash more fury. Overall, true fans of AC/DC will not be disappointed with this track. 7/10
The song is currently streaming at the AC/DC MySpace page.
Word…I would give it a 4/10, just because its nothing we havent heard a million times before.
I give it 9/10 because I’m a true fan. I would have liked the vocals to kick it up a notch in the second verse or at the end, but Brian is in his frigging sixties so I cut him some slack. I know one thing, It’s going to rock live, and that’s one of the many reasons this band kicks so much ass. They have never disappointed their fans in forty years. I’m 25 years old, and I find this song a refreshing break from most of the music that gets play, and the popular “hard rock” bands that try, but fall short, to duplicate AC/DC’s simple formula. It might not go down as one of their classics, but that era of rock has faded. What has not faded is AC/DC’s fan base, so they are smart by giving us what we want. I’ll be at one of their many sold out shows this year.
Cheers!
As Angus said many years ago about a new album, “It’s the same album with a different cover”, this “new” song is just a “we still alive, and we still kicking” song. Anyone, anywhere that start listening to RNR Train will think, “wait a minute, is this AC/DC?, yes it is! I don’t know this one… a new one? where can I buy it?”. Now all we need to do is waiting for the next single, and I’m stunned because this guys will be at Lisbon sometime next year, 1996’s show still rocks in my head. So they did not put keybords in the song, they did not invite Shakira to do a duet with Brian, so what! It’s AC/DC, it’s 2008 and they still here, and the show in 2009 it’s gonna be Overdose! for this song I give a 5/10, for what they are I give a 20/10. Just break all the rules and rock!
Yer, i second that. These guys are straight up awesome. To betruly honest with you, this song is not epic. It is not going to be one of their all time greats. But what it represents is awesome. Im 16 and have followed these guys religiously since i was 11 or 12, and old enough to choose my own taste in music. The stuff that gets churned out now is mostly crap, like rap and hip hop. The stuff make my so sad, because a few beats and a cathy rhythm makes it to no.1, when twenty years ago the charts were dominated by truly great musicians, whether it be hard rock, soft rock or whatever. Its been refreshing to hear guys like Jet, the lIving End and Eskimo bring Rock music back into the scene, but the real deal is finally back. Ive been waiting for this for so long.
Having heard every single accadacca song several times a peice, the new track is heavenly. Like some of you have already said, its classic AC-DC;simple riffs with simple drums and bass with simple lyrics. But its classic hard rock and is so good. Not the greatest song, could have been added with a couple fidly riffs over the top, sume different stuff with the drums such as a few fills. But this was a statement, to say that AC-DC are back and their not changing for anyone. Their back for the fans and its awesome to see that this stuff is still truly loved by millions. Cant wait for the new album. Thankyou if you have posted this.
This song just rocks out. I do hope Angus kicks it up a little on the other songs but 10/10.
I am a die hard fan, probably so hardcore that its sick lol but u just cant beat classic rock n roll with a foot tapping beat. LONG LIVE ROCK n ROLL and long live ANGUS and CO>
It’s certainly an AC/DC track, maybe not their greatest, certainly not their worst, but IMO the production quality is horrific.
I too am a true fan, but I can’t say that I think this song is brilliant. I’m not a hater, but I do think they have released much better material. This song is disappointing for me. I give it a 5/10 for these reasons:
1. Angus’ solo = weak
2. Phil Rudd is simple and always has been, but I thought his name was Fill…and there aren’t any at all.
3. It sounds just like “Harley Davidson” which sounds exactly like “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
4. I believe that same exact guitar riff is on the album Stiff Upper Lip….TWICE.
Now…a lot of people claim to be more true of a fan than somebody else because they “like everything they’ve ever done.” That’s a load of crap. And some can claim I’m a hater…also crap. I’m the biggest AC/DC fan I’ve ever met. I know how much I love these guys and you cannot take that away from me. But that doesn’t mean I have to love everything they’ve ever done. They’ve obviously made better, more inspired tunes and records.
I’m not looking for something new from AC/DC. If I was, then I’d be a complete jackass. If you love them we know why…because what they do is awesome and nobody compares. Like I said…I’m not looking for something new…I’m looking for something good!
Mike is right. I’ve been a Nr1 AC/DC superfan for decades, I’ve got everything of theirs you can imagine. But after 8 years of trawling the web for news on their next album this song left me distinctly underwhelmed…
My persistent civil libertarianism will cause an ulcer if I keep reading stories like this.
Things like this are incredibly disturbing to me and should be to everyone.