Review Summary: Dirty deeds done a little too cheap.
Although AC/DC started out with a fairly big smash, the follow-up to international debut
High Voltage is easily the weakest album to come out off their golden years. Main reason: generic songwriting. Now, before any of you laugh at this statement, simple does not mean generic. Most of the band’s 70’s output are well-written rock songs, but some material on
Dirty Deeds Done Cheap feels a bit uninspired. The most obvious examples are
There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’ and
Rocker (which however takes a full turn when performed live), and most especially
Big Balls, probably the stupidest song AC/DC has ever recorded. On top of that, the production is quite dull, not really helping the album’s case.
Love at First Heel and
Problem Child are an improvement, but nevertheless sound uninteresting compared to the band’s other songs. Its middle section brings
Dirty Deeds down quite a notch, but on both of its ends, some gems are to be found. The title track is the obvious classic,
Ain’t No Fun (Waiting ‘Round to be a Millionaire) is lengthy but not worse off because of it,
Squealer is often underrated, but
Ride On is the real surprise here: a ballad, from these hardcore rockers? Oh yes. It’s not even that bad either. Why, it even is great, Angus laying down some old-fashioned blues and Bon actually giving a fitting performance.
Dirty Deeds Done Cheap unfortunately lacks in more of these gems. While their fan base will no doubt hail this record as classic AC/DC, we have to be honest here: they’ve done much better, in any case in their time with Scott. Out of the band’s 70’s albums, this one is easily the dullest, least inspired one, barely making the mark. For that, the title seems fitting. It's a little too cheap, even for AC/DC standards. Thankfully, the boys followed it up with one of their top three albums, which perhaps marked the start of their real golden years.
High Voltage Rock ‘n’ Roll Songs:
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Ain’t No Fun (Waiting ‘Round to be a Millionaire)
Ride On
Squealer
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’s AC/DC was:
- Ronald Belford ‘Bon’ Scott ~ Lead Vocals (R.I.P.)
- Angus McKinnon Young ~ Lead Guitar
- Malcolm Mitchell Young ~ Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Mark Whitmore Evans ~ Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Philip Hugh Rudd ~ Drums
