High Voltage (1976 album)

Infobox Album
Name = High Voltage
Type = Studio Album
Artist = AC/DC


Released = 14 May, 1976
Recorded = 1974–1975
Genre = Hard rock Blues Rock
Length = 44:37
Label = Atlantic
Producer = Harry Vanda, George Young
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:r7xvad1kv8w5~T1 link]
*"Blender" Rating|4|5 [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=2394 link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/243982/high_voltage link]
Last album = "T.N.T."
(1975)
This album = "High Voltage"
(1976)
Next album = "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
(1976)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Lower caption = Original European cover
Type = Studio album

"High Voltage" is the first internationally-released album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released in May 1976. Eight of the album's nine songs were written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott. "Can I Sit Next to You Girl" was written by Young & Young.

Originally released on Atlantic Records, this edition of "High Voltage" has proven popular, selling 3 million units in the United States alone. However, the album was panned by some critics upon its release, including a review by "Rolling Stone" magazine that called it an "all-time low" for the hard rock genre. It was re-released in 2003 as part of the "AC/DC Remasters" series.

Overview

Prior the to release of the international version of "High Voltage", AC/DC had already released their debut album under the name "High Voltage" a year before. This album was released in Australia only and had a different track listing than the international release, which only included two tracks from the original album.cite album-notes |title=High Voltage |bandname=AC/DC |year=2003 |first=Murray |last=Engleheart |pages=pp. 7-8 |format=CD booklet |publisher=Epic Records |publisherid=EK 80201] The international release of "High Voltage" also had a different album cover than the original, featuring a picture of Angus Young as he appeared on the single for "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" released in Australia. A third cover was also used on the international version's original European release.

Most editions of the international album have a version of "It's A Long Way To The Top" that is shorter than the version on the original Australian release. The full length version is 5:12, while the edited version fades out early at 5:01. Vinyl editions of the international album contain the edited version. The 1994 remastered CD on Atco Records restored the track to the full length. The 2003 remastered CD on Epic Records reverts back to the edited version again.

Composition

"High Voltage" consists of songs previously released on AC/DC's first two albums, the first "High Voltage" album, and their subsequent album, "T.N.T.". Tracks one through six and track nine on "High Voltage" are from the album "T.N.T.", while tracks seven and eight are from the original release of "High Voltage".

Track listing

All songs composed by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott, except where noted.

# "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" – 5:15
# "Rock 'n' Roll Singer" – 5:03
# "The Jack" – 5:52
# "Live Wire" – 5:49
# "T.N.T." – 3:34
# "Can I Sit Next to You Girl" (Young, Young) – 4:11
# "Little Lover" – 5:39
# "She's Got Balls" – 4:51
# "High Voltage" – 4:14

Personnel

*Bon Scott – lead vocals, bagpipes
*Angus Young – lead guitar
*Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar/backing vocals
*Mark Evans – bass/backing vocals
*Phil Rudd – drums

*Harry Vanda – producer
*George Young – producer

References

External links

* [http://www.acdcrocks.com/highvoltage.html Lyrics] on AC/DC's official website