Stiff Upper Lip Review

Release Date: Feb 29, 2000
Label: East West
Genres: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Album Rock, Aussie Rock, Arena Rock
Number Of Tracks: 12
With Stiff Upper Lip, they're not at classic status, but they're still top-notch. This may not be the first AC/DC record for a collection, but once you're into their scene, it's a fine place to be.

Sound:	8.8
Lyrics:	8.2
Impression:	9.2
Overall rating:	8.7
Users rating:	7.8
Comments:	26

overall: 10

Featured review by: teenrocker, on december 11, 2006

Sound: AC/DC are still at it. Come the turn of the next millenium these guys prove that you are never to old to rock and roll! Stiff Upper Lip comes five years after their life-affirming Ballbreaker album. There is far more jazz style grooves than classic rock anthems but apart from that, the AC/DC sound is still the same. The Young brothers seem to be experimenting with finger and hybrid picking a lot more, but who cares? It's AC/DC! // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Brian is once again writing his lyrics, for which I am happy he decided to do (Brian stopped writing after Back in Black but picked it up again on Ballbreaker). His growl is quite established and contained in contradiction to some other albums where it gets slightly out of hand. Simple lyrics have always been a key to AC/DC and nearly always showcases AC/DC's favourite subjects: sex, beer and rock and roll. It's quiet amusing to hear 50 something year old men singing about this sort of stuff but hey, 'If it ain't broken, don't fix it'. // 10

Impression: AC/DC have always maintaned a steady rock sound and Stiff Upper Lip keeps this going but adds in lots of extra twists. Clever little riffs replace supreme chord-chundering and the bass lines are more prominent. This is one of favourite Dacca albums and with good cause. A very musically impressive album that you can just listen to over and over again. If I was to hate something about this album, it would be that I can't write songs as well as these masters of rock can. Stiff Upper Lip is very much a return to their well earned legendary status. // 10

overall: 8

Reviewed by: SameOld, on september 10, 2008

Sound: ACDC. For nearly 40 years these guys have been rocking the world, and Stiff Upper Lip proves that despite some blemishes (Fly On The Wall, most notably) they still have it. The songs are filled with fills (yes, very funny) solos and incredibly catchy riffs that you can't help but tap your foot too. I know when I first heard the opening track I had to pick up my guitar and jam along to the sweet bluesy crunch of Stiff Upper Lip. ACDC, at this point, may not exactly be blazing new trails, but they sure as hell know their own ground like it's no one's business. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are typical ACDC, filled with suggestive, crude and simple rhymes that you can't help but chuckle at, despite their childishness. Frankly it's good to see that lyricists Angus, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson haven't lost their respective touches over the years. However some tunes, such as 'Safe In New York City' seemed a little lackluster chorus-wise, but minor blunders are easily excused when you realize that the verses include such sleazy rhymes such as,

"Movin' all over like a jumpin' bean
take a look at that thing in the tight ass jeans
comin' your way now you may be in luck
don't you fret boy she's ready to buck"

Johnson's voice certainly has waned over the years, his inexplicably demonic screams off 'Back In Black' and 'For Those About To Rock' have been toned down, and he relies more often on backing vocals here more than ever, but I'll be damned if he still doesn't blow me away with his signature wails. // 7

Impression: While the CD could have been cut down a couple songs, it comes off strong as ACDC could have made it, and they crafted a tight, muscle-bound album to be sure. If you haven't explored the recent ACDC and prefer their older material, try listening to 'Stiff Upper Lip', 'Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll' or 'Satellite Blues', all of which (among many others) stand up to their best material. // 9

overall: 7.3

Reviewed by: Metallica224, on february 02, 2007

Sound: Overall I am a big fan of AC/DC's sound but I was a little disappointed to find that on this album ths sound was far more bluesy than ever before and is something I don't particularly like. However, I noticed that they seemed to be experimenting with different pick styles which I find good as it makes the music sound different although the bluesy sound is not different for the best. // 6

Lyrics and Singing: I think the lyrics are good and fairly simple. I think that Brian's vocal range on this album is slightly less stretched but who can blame him with a voice as well used as his! I do think that some of the vocals on this album do not vary enough between songs and at times make the songs all sound the same which is obviously not good although overall I like the lyrics. // 8

Impression: I think that this album is an excellent album for a 30 year old band although is not as good as there previous albums of recent years. The most impressive songs are safe in new york city and satellite blues which are both excelleng songs. What I don't like about this album however is the blues/jazz sound which lowers the quality of the album. If it were lost I would not buy it again I would just burn a new one as all the songs are on my computer but if they weren't then I doubt I would buy a new copy of this album. // 8

overall: 9.7

Reviewed by: Metallica AC/DC, on november 23, 2006

Sound: AC/DC is the hard rock band. What is perhaps best about them that almost no other band could pull off is that each AC/DC album, and most songs for that matter, sound the same. They have never experimented, they played the same kick ass hard rock they always do and it was always great. Stiff Upper Lip is no exception to that for the most part. The biggest difference between this album and the rest of their catalogue is that this is their blusiest album in years. The riffs are a little less hard rock and a little more blues driven, and the result is great. The entire album is full of high energy blues rock from start to finish. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: AC/DC are not lyrical genious's but they certainly know how to sing about things we all enjoy. This album has the usual AC/DC themes of women and having a good time, and has even has some great rock anthems such as Can't Stop Rock N' Roll and Hold Me Back. House Of Jazz and Safe In New York City are about exactly what their titles say, it's simple but it works. Brian Johnsons vocals are more throaty than ever, and it's great. The man still has a hell of a voice even though it's not quite as strong as it was in the '80s. He is still the voice of hard rock. // 9

Impression: Stiff Upper Lip is a great album. It's easily in the same league as High Voltage, Let There Be Rock, Highway To Hell, Back In Black, The Razors Edge, and the many other classic AC/DC albums. The title track, Safe In New York City, and Hold Me Back are the best songs on the album. They show that Angus, Malcolm, and the rest of the crew still has what it takes to make incredibly memorable and powerful riffs and vocal hooks. Almost every other song on the album is memorable to different degrees. Come And Get It, Satellite Blues, Damned, and the others are all songs that will bring you back for more than one listen. The high energy blues on this album has made for another AC/DC great, a definite must have and is definatly good enough to buy again if it were lost. Almost nobody can do it as well as AC/DC, the masters of Hard Rock. // 10

overall: 8.7

Reviewed by: angus is god, on november 27, 2006

Sound: This album is one of my favorites from this band. As an avid AC/DC fan I was surprised at how Bluesy the album sounds. The shock to me was the difference in sound between this album and the albums of their previous years that included The Razors Edge, Ballbreaker, Fly on the Wall, ect. Instead they sounded like the band that they used to be in the beginning of their careers. The bluesy/rock that they used to be in the Bon era. Probably the songs that showed their still a blues band the most are House of Jazz, and Stiff Upper Lip. But Angus doesn't let down a bit on the rock side of the album with his shock and awe solos, awesome riffs, and great guitar skills. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: All AC/DC fans know that Brian Johnson doesn't have the same voice and lyrical skills that Bon Scott had, but Brian Johnson doesn't try to get his voice as high pitched in this album with his deteriorating voice unlike in The Razors Edge and Ballbreaker and there couldn't have been a better replacement. His voice now is more suited for the blues which is what he was aiming for in this album. Some of the lyrics in the songs don't make very much sense with the rest of the song. Also I thought they used the title of the song a little too much in the songs. Of course they still talk about parties, women, and overall living wild but that's what they are good at. I'd rather hear about parties and having a good time then listening to depressing songs. // 7

Impression: This album overall one of their best. Angus shows that even in his old age he can still play like a madman. I love how they went back to their roots with all the blues tracks but still maintains their rock image with the rest of the album. AC/DC is my favorite band and will always remain my favorite. // 9

Comments

[fornillia]

great album

[acdc_427]

awesome album, ive owned it for a while and listen to it as much as my other AC/DC .. rip bon scott

[LaLaLaLoopy]

Compared to other albums,B in B =10/10.....HWY to Hell = 9/10, Id say this is album is an 8/10 which means this is still a kick ass album.

[iron_maiden93]

decent album....sucks that it all sounds the same

[alex91]

AC/DC will always be legendary people excellent album

[epiphone_sg]

angus young is totally my role model and will always be...hes not as good as yngwie malmsteen or steve vai but he rocks at wut he does...i want a signatre angus young gibson sg too bad i can't afford it

[ericgentz]

Angus is a favorite of mine, I have his signature gibson, and I get his signature on an acoustic of mine.

[king_O_dudes]

AC/DC = top notch rock n' roll

[angusyoung_sg]

angus young for president

[Phungus]

this is the best album they ever made thats my opinion =)

[teenrocker]

AC/DC, B1tches!!!

[M.B.MetalTabber]

Great Blues/Rock album, and Brian Johnson can sing any song in the world and make it rock!!!

[ac/dc_voltage]

Man, AC/DC is THE best band thats ever come to rock n roll. sure, elvis maybe the king of rock n roll, but shouldn't being "king" mean that you're the best? if that was the case, ac/dc would be sitting on top of the rockin' world forever. Angus Young, other than anyone, is my lifetime role model. sure he may be obsessed with sex, but so am I. Stiff Upper Lip isn't the best album, i like all of them actually, but stiff upper lip is definetly one of the best. AC/DC LIVES FOREVER!!!!

[drummerdude92]

angus young is a guitar god

my hero

[Thunder Frets]

Just a note: in all the tab books ive seen they only credit Young/Young on the stiff upper lip songs. So i really dont think Brian wrote the lyrics. If you can prove me wrong please do.

[big_d]

Accualy Thunder Frets ur right,BON SCOTT,ANGUS YOUNG,and MALCOM YOUNG wrote all there AC/DC songs,however when BON SCOTT died(very unfortunate)only ANGUS and MALCOM wrote there songs BRIAN writes absolutly none.BON SCOTT lives forever!!!!

Checked.

[orange_juice]

angus young is a guitar god

my hero

Angus Young is NOT a guitar god lmao. AC/DC is ok but if you want good music listen to Led zeppelin or Pink Floyd

[big_d]

ok.dude,angus is the best there ever was besides randy roads led zeppelin and pink floyd are so ****ing gay,except for 1 song by led zeppelin,its called stairway to heaven.other than that the suck ur momas balls bicth!!!!!

[big_d]

so bite my shiny metal ass.oh wait ur mom does that every night,so f uck off bitch!!!!!

[Will_P]

Let me first off say that acdc is the best hard rock band ever!! The problem about this album is that it lacks the guitar power that acdc's other albums have. Almost every song on this album started out the same way they lacked the awesome rythm that songs like You Shook Me All Night Long, Back In Black,and Highway to Hell have. The best song on this album is Sattelite Blues because it had that head banging rythm.

[orange_juice]

ok.dude,angus is the best there ever was besides randy roads led zeppelin and pink floyd are so ****ing gay,except for 1 song by led zeppelin,its called stairway to heaven.other than that the suck ur momas balls bicth!!!!!

you are seriously stupid. led zeppelin kicks ac/dc ass any day.
and jimmy page was better than angus young or randy roads. so stop bein such a retard and listen to all rock. not just HARD rock. there is way better.

[aerodynamic lov]

Ok for all you peeps out there that don't know shit bout AC/DC and have been saying that Brian only wrote Back In Black's lyrics he wrote all the lyrics up until The Razor's Edge which was because he was having a hard time with divorce and shit and hasen't written lyrics since but is writting new material 4 the new album

[Rocker_94]

Sorry if this has been writen, but Brian hasn't written a song on any album since Blow Up Your Video.
He's writing 'em for the next.

[suicidehummer]

Rocker_94 has got it right. I can't beleive the featured review is by someone who thinks Brian wrote the lyrics for SUL! And what surprises me even more is that someone else thought Brian wrote none of the songs! People don't give Brian enough credit! I personally prefer Brian's voice to Bon's.

[pwrmax]

AC/DC and Zeppelin = Apples and Oranges

They both kick ass