Top 10 Best AC/DC Albums

The Top Ten
Back in Black

I think it's pretty obvious Back in Black is the best AC/DC album of all time. It has their best song, "Back in Black," and is the second-highest selling album of all time.

Many other notable AC/DC songs and hits are from the album, too, including "Hells Bells," "Shoot to Thrill," "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Have a Drink on Me," and "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution."

I wouldn't call this album overrated, as it is a good album. I'd say that Back in Black is overexposed. I mean, how many times have you heard the title song in media forms? (Movies, video game trailers, etc.) Now every time I hear "Back in Black," I groan.

Still, "Hell's Bells," "Shoot to Thrill," "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution," and the amazing "You Shook Me All Night Long" make this album a must-have for rock fans.

Highway to Hell

I was fortunate enough to see two Highway to Hell tour shows within a year of Bon's death. I bought Back in Black upon its release and found it a fine album. But in Bon's absence, the band was just never the same.

Bon's voice was capable of so much: not just in terms of range, intonation, and phrasing, but also sarcasm, irony, and fun. I choose this album as the best not because it is clearly a better product than albums previous to this, but because it's a solemn reminder of what might have come had we not lost Scott in February 1980.

Let There Be Rock

What an amazing album. We must remember that this was the time period when genres such as punk, disco, and new wave dominated the mainstream. In my honest opinion, this is one of the many albums (along with Van Halen's debut, among others) that single-handedly saved brutal, party-hard rock and roll from sinking into obscurity.

Cuts like "Go Down," "Dog Eat Dog," and "Bad Boy Boogie" have some of AC/DC's best guitar riffs, fine-tuned with extra distortion and brutal attack. Meanwhile, "Overdose" and "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" are cautionary tales of excessive love and lust. There's even a recycled song on here: "Problem Child," which is from AC/DC's third studio album (if you live in Australia, anyway), "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap."

The best tracks on here have been, are currently, and always will be the extraordinary songs "Let There Be Rock" and "Whole Lotta Rosie." "Let There Be Rock" is AC/DC's own twist on the Bible's story of creation. While the Bible's version is about humanity's conception, this one talks about the story of rock and roll's conception, dating back to 1955 (think "Elvis").

On the other side of the spectrum is the salacious "Whole Lotta Rosie," which is about a one-night stand lead singer Bon Scott had with Rosie, a huge woman who could "do it to you all night long" and never stop. It's one of AC/DC's best songs, along with other classics like "Highway to Hell" and "Thunderstruck." Guns N' Roses, heavily influenced by AC/DC, performed a cover of this song live, which shows how much people love it.

In conclusion, this is not only AC/DC's quintessential album, but one of rock's biggest must-haves. Long live AC/DC!

High Voltage

High Voltage was not very critically successful during the time of its release. It received much criticism for its loudness. The band also had wild behavior at the time. However, it performed well on the charts.

Best AC/DC and one of the best albums of all time, in my opinion. Features the unique edgy rock and roll sound only heard from AC/DC all the way through.

AC/DC doesn't do bad songs. This album makes no exception!

This is a great album. The best AC/DC was with Bon Scott, and this is when they had more raw fire. The Australian Albert Productions really captured the essence of the band at this time, not the later slick stuff in the late '70s and early '80s when other producers came in to change and create a watered-down version of the early, much more powerful AC/DC.

Powerage

Their most overlooked and underrated album. Perhaps not as immediate as Let There Be Rock, but this has all the power and a whole lot of soul. Bon's lyrics on this album are from the heart and his most intelligent, and the guitars are blistering.

I challenge any fan to listen to this back-to-back with Highway to Hell and not come away preferring this one. This is the last album which truly showcases the hooks and riffs and fully lets Angus loose on those solos. On every track!

Hands down their best album. Bon, Angus, Malcolm, and the boys at the peak of their craft. Last album before they upgraded to smoother, more professional production. After almost 40 years, I never grow tired of jamming this record.

Great riffs, great lyrics, great feel, great attitude. A true rock monster of an album. Has got to be considered the best of their work by any true AC/DC purist.

The Razors Edge

"The Razors Edge" is a pretty good album. It didn't go to the extreme commercially and critically, but it has some good songs.

The best song from the album is "Thunderstruck," which is considered one of the best AC/DC songs of all time. "The Razors Edge" is probably the second best. Another notable song from the album is "Moneytalks."

Man listen, the "Moneytalks." I'd get out of here, "Are You Ready?" Because you'll be "Thunderstruck" by "The Razors Edge." You ain't getting no "Mistress for Christmas." I "Got You by the Balls," so get ready to "Fire Your Guns."

Razors Edge is the best, hands down.

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Bon Scott was so much better than Brian Johnson. Don't get me wrong, Brian's voice kicks ass, but he is nowhere near the energy and charisma of Bon Scott.

The title track of Dirty Deeds is one of their best songs. Also, I just want to point out that 4 of the top 5 on this list are from the Bon Scott era.

If I judged a book by its cover, then this would be no. 1. But it's not.

I admit Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is a good song, and Big Balls is my favorite by AC/DC, but I find High Voltage and Back in Black better.

Probably as good as Back In Black. Funnily, made of old songs. Some crackers. The title track, Rocker, and Ain't No Fun (Waiting 'Round to Be a Millionaire). And an excellent quiet one, Ride On.

For Those About to Rock We Salute You

Although this album isn't my favorite by AC/DC, it is highly underrated, mainly because it has the tough task of following up Back in Black. No, it doesn't change much from Back in Black, and the songs aren't as good, but the songs are still enjoyable and good hard rock songs. If you enjoyed Back in Black, then you should like this album as well.

I have this album usually floating around as the 5th or 6th best in AC/DC's repertoire, but 8th is too low!

This is another one of my personal favorites by the band. Despite "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" obviously being the most popular song from the album, my favorite one is "Evil Walks."

Black Ice

It definitely shows that making a great album is timeless. "Rock 'n' Roll Train" is definitely in my top 25 AC/DC songs of all time.

This was definitely one of the best comeback albums of all time. It definitely deserves #9, because although it isn't one of their best, it's still amazing.

I love all their albums! I don't think Fly on the Wall ever got the credit it deserved. I mean, Fly on the Wall, Shake Your Foundations, First Blood, Danger, Sink the Pink, Stand Up, Hell or High Water - all fantastic songs!

In my opinion, it's the best album by the boys. There isn't a single song out of it that I don't like.

Some songs like "Rock 'n' Roll Train," "Big Jack," and "Rocking All the Way" have epic choruses, and the drums in "Black Ice" are amazing!

Flick of the Switch

Most underrated album in rock history! A pure masterpiece, great mix of bluesy heavy metal riffs, angry singing, and good songwriting with memorable choruses.

Unfortunately, this is the last great AC/DC album. It is equal with Back in Black and much better than For Those About to Rock.

Along with Back in Black, Flick of the Switch is far better than any other AC/DC album with Brian, especially including the overrated For Those About to Rock and the most irritating Razors Edge.

This album is a mix of classic heavy metal and blues with great riffs and choruses. Notable songs include Rising Power, Guns for Hire, Nervous Shakedown, Flick of the Switch, and Landslide.

The Contenders
Rock or Bust

Back in Black and Highway to Hell will always be on top. I have this one on CD, MP3, and will be buying this one on vinyl soon too.

I voted for this one because it is truly a masterpiece. While I cannot name a single AC/DC song that I truly dislike, this album has numbers that are works of art and will undoubtedly be among their greatest hits.

In rock we trust. It's rock or bust! And this one rocks indeed!

It's just the ultimate comeback story.

Ballbreaker

I love this album for multiple reasons. First off, their musical style became more advanced. They had much more variety, with every song sounding different and non-repetitive. Every song has either a new awesome riff or amazing vocals.

Instead of their normal bludgeoning rock, they go for a calmer and easy-going approach. Each song starts off slow but then quickly escalates to a very loud and fast-paced song. A very underrated album.

My picks: Hard as a Rock, Burnin' Alive, Hail Caesar, and Ballbreaker.

T.N.T.

T.N.T. was the first AC/DC album I ever had, and it is one of my favorite AC/DC albums! Out of Dave Evans, Bon Scott, and Brian Johnson, Bon Scott is my favorite!

My favorite songs on this one are the whole album! I always liked AC/DC when I would listen to my dad's CDs, but this one made me a true AC/DC fan!

Really not sure why it's this down on the list. It's definitely in my top 5 AC/DC albums of all time.

For anyone that hasn't heard it, listen to it. It's amazing, and I'm sure it'll be an instant classic.

I don't think T.N.T. is the best album. I just think it's one of their best and should be higher! T.N.T. and It's a Long Way to the Top are classics!

Blow Up Your Video

I don't see why people dislike this album. It is amazing. There are "This Means War," "Nick of Time," "That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll," "Heat Seeker," "Ruff Stuff," and more. This album, "Fly on the Wall," and "Ballbreaker" are the best, most underrated albums.

This is one of my favorites, and "Who Made Who" is also underrated. I have this on vinyl, and if you haven't heard this album, go out and buy it. If you're disappointed, then you're not a true AC/DC fan. There's more than "Back in Black" and "Highway to Hell," so listen to some you haven't heard.

Stiff Upper Lip

This is a latter-day Powerage, full of soulful songs that really gel together to make a great album.

When you see an album like this so close to the bottom, you know there's something really great on the list.

One of Malcolm Young's best works. Awesome, electric, and true rock and roll.

Fly on the Wall

Way too low! What a kick-ass record!

How can they put T.N.T. above this? T.N.T. wasn't even released in the US.

If You Want Blood You've Got It

I just felt like I had to put a vote in for this killer live album by AC/DC. It should be much, much higher than this. If you look back at what they were doing in the '70s, writing short, kick-ass rock songs without caring what critics thought, compared to others who were trying to cash in on disco or long, drawn-out ballads, AC/DC got to the heart of what made rock and roll so great. On this recording, you really get a sense of the raw, stripped-down feel of their live show. Awesome!

This is quintessential AC/DC. It is the first of the two records that were the best of the Bon Scott years, which are arguably the best AC/DC years.

AC/DC Live

This album shows how strong AC/DC is/was live. Thunderstruck is just amazing.

Love this. Donington Monsters of Rock '91 was when I got into AC/DC. This album captures it. It does for AC/DC what Live After Death does for Iron Maiden.

I prefer it to their studio albums even.

Amazing album. I usually dislike live albums, but this one is great.

Power Up

This was their comeback! Why is this so low?

What a great album. Fantastic band.

'74 Jailbreak

Why is this album stuck at #20? It should be in the top ten! I was around in the eighties when this came out, and my friends and I were all crazy for it.

Great title song and video to go along with it, plus we never heard these songs before as they were Australian releases only up until that point. Lots of new fans were made because of this album. Hmmm?

Live At River Plate

I think it is the best AC/DC live album. I don't know why it's so low.

Hell's best performance and song selection!

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