Backtracks

While most Rock N'Roll Bands are releasing boxed sets of material that has long since been available to the public on atleast 5 or more different compilations, AC/DC is the only band that I can recall that has never released any such greatest hits compilation, or with the exception of the Maximum Overdrive soundtrack, Who Made Who, any repeated material at all. For this reason, their new boxed set titled "Backtracks" is completely un-released or rare material. The songs that are not absolutely new, are only those from their first 2 Australian albums High Voltage and T.N.T, which are only available as expensive imports, and the song "Big Gun" which was only available for a short time on the "Last Action Hero Soundtrack." But now all that has changed with the release of this new box set. I guess one might say that being this boxed set is full of ultra-rare material, and only features songs that are not currently available on any other CD is a testament to their musical knowledge and appreciation for the fans. They understand that fans want their money's worth and not just a rehash of readily available tracks and for this small price, they get nothing short of spectacular. Love for the music, the fans, and good ol' fashioned know-how for the business is what seperates the men from the boys, and AC/DC Backtracks is a prime example.This set was announced some months back. It was advertised with 2 versions, the Standard Edition, which I am reviewing, and the Deluxe Edition. I will discuss the differences between the 2 in the sub-categories below. I will not list the track details for the discs since they are readily available on the product details page.Packaging: The packaging for the Standard set is very similar to some special edition DVD's with an outer cardboard slip case to house the inside fold-out case with attached plastic disc-trays to house the discs. The Deluxe Edition comes in a 1-watt working amp. As for the discs on the deluxe set, the packaging is somewhat lack-luster. They come in a fold-out book with the CD's held into place with cardboard holes that the CD's themselves rest DIRECTLY on so in time, this could damage the CD's which I am definitely not fond of. Packaging is definintely better on the Standard set as far as safety and functionality is concerned.CD's: The standard set comes with 2 CD's. The first disc is the studio rarities, and the second disc is the live rarites. The deluxe set features 3 cd's instead of 2, the first 2 being almost the same, but the 3rd disc is an extra disc of live rarites. The studio rarities differ in that the Deluxe edition features 6 alternate or extended tracks to songs that have already appeared on albums, while the Standard just features the 12 rarites that haven't yet been released. The live discs feature more live tracks on the Deluxe edition than on the Standard set, hence the 3rd disc. I personally opted for the Standard set for this reason. I liked listening to the songs the way they released them in the first place, and wasn't really interested in longer cuts or alternate takes. Even though I own every album and DVD of theirs, the extra studio and live tracks just didn't seem very nesasary.Sound Quality: Since I am somewhat of an audiophile, and prefer to own original CD releases of albums including AC/DC's, I was not so excited about these tracks being remastered. Although they are a little over-maximized and some compression is noticeable, they are definitely not un-listenable, and those of you who prefer remastered material, will find that these match the sound quality of the 2003 AC/DC album remasters and will have no complaints. Besides, this is the only way they are currently available so I definately can't complain.DVD's: While the Standard set features one DVD which is Family Jewels part 3, the Deluxe edition features this disc, and a 2nd disc which is another live performance "Live At The Circus Krone." Unlike the CD's on both sets, the only difference between the 2 sets with the DVD's is that there is one more DVD on the Deluxe set. The common disc between both sets "Family Jewels part 3" holds no difference between the Standard or the Deluxe set at all.Since I am actually reviewing the standard set, I won't discuss the memorobilia or the Vinyl album of the studio rarites, because I only need to compare the sets between common material between both to help people understand the differences.As I said before, I'm reviewing the standard set. When I first heard of this set, I thought for sure that I would buy the deluxe edition, until I saw the price tag. 200 dollars for the Deluxe set, while the standard edition is only 25 dollars. Although I consider myself one of the biggest AC/DC fans anyone could hope to meet, I could not in good conscience pay such a large amount for ultimately just 1 extra CD and DVD which is what I was interested in. I could care less for the memorobilia, photographs, or the amp since I don't even own a guitar. 175 dollars more seemed one heck of a price tag for the deluxe set when I was only interested in what the standard set had to offer. Ofcourse I would love to have the extra CD and DVD, but I won't pay 175 dollars for them. So if you're like me, and just want the music and aren't concerned with alternate takes or extended tracks, by all means buy the standard edition, if you are an absolute AC/DC junkie and have the means, go ahead and spring for the Deluxe Edition.Final Judgement: I gave the Standard edition 5 stars in this review. If I were to review the Deluxe edition, I would have to give it 3 stars. Better than bad since it is AC/DC, but knock off 2 stars for the insane price of the extra material not on the standard set, which isn't very much at all. I hope this review has helped you. LET THERE BE ROCK!!!!!!

Amazon delivered this right on release day. I immediately started up CD #1. These are the songs that have been on foreign releases only to be heard on expensive imports or murky copies floating around. Now they are remastered and bring Bon Scott back from the dead and some lost tracks from Brian Johnson. It does make a fan wish that there were two parallel AC/DC bands creating music over the last thirty years with Bon Scott still penning lyrics and singing in version 1 and Brian singing in version 2.1. Stick Around: Bon Scott: 9/102. Love Song: Bon Scott: A ballady song. Glad they only made one love song. Still good to hear Bon. great guitar3. Fling Thing: Primarily an instrumental right out of a Scottish pub.4. RIP: Bon Scott: A cranker upper 8/105. Carry Me Home: Bon Scott:6. Crabsody in Blue: Bon. Lyrics only Bon would sing. It will make you itch hearing about getting crabs. 9/107. Cold Hearted Man: Bon. Dark lyrics, blues style guitar. 10/108. Snake Eyes: Brian Johnson One of the better 80s tracks9. Borrowed Time: Brian Good stadium thumper10. Down on the Borderline: Great rhythm and Brian in great voice 8/1011. Big Gun: The only thing good about Last Action Hero. The video on disk #3 is hilarious. Arnold carrying around Angus like a little Chucky doll.12. Cyberspace: Ac/dc singing about computer stuff. Good to have, but like the Love Song, there was a reason to keep in a B-side. Still, fun to listen to.CD #2: Live tracks. I wish there was more of Bon era live stuff. Brian's era is recorded with higher end equipment and he tears the roof off material never released live before on CD.DVD: Rock and Roll with Angus turning up in the strangest places. The making of video makes you appreciate the fact that Angus is willing to take some risks, do all of his own stunts and put himself in harm's way. Reveals what a great band they are still having fun making blistering rock.

AC/DC was one of the first bands that I got into in my teen years back in the 80's (I'm aging myself) & I had pretty much all of their albums they made in the 80's. Then, as being a Christian, I thought it was "Devil Music" & burned ALL my secular stuff in our fireplace at the time, probably at a price tag of over $500.00!! Boy, was I wrong! Sure, they sing about the devil & stuff but who can take them serious with their sometimes humorous lyrics & antics, they're just having fun & want us toas well . I'm still a Christian but love all kinds of secular music & slowly building my collection back up & this gem just added to my collection. Great sounding cd's which bring out the vocals moreso than the original releases! The one ballad/love song just cracked me up as you don't EVER hear that song played in the USA!! Thank God they only wrote & sang one because it's certainly not their cup of tea. I haven't listened to all of it yet (I just got it yesterday) & I've only watched about 2 minutes of the dvd as I only put it in the player to make sure the dvd played on America made players, & it did. I love what I've seen & heard so far & I'm sure I'll still feel the same way after I hear & watch it all as ac/dc is a true picture of what Rock was & is meant to be! My favorite bands are DISTURBED, DEVICE, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, & you can now add AC/DC back in the top 5 (I need 1 more now)!!

A nice collection of their other works.