AC/DC
'74 Jailbreak

THE REVIEW

'74 Jailbreak: the jailbreak, or perhaps the emergence... from darkness towards the spotlights of fame, which in a few years will lead AC/DC to glory. The simple catchiness of the composed tracks and naturally the pure and granitic rock'n'roll amplified and distorted to the nth degree are among the ingredients that made AC/DC ultra-popular, who, along with Iron Maiden, are the most well-known exponents of Hard music worldwide, as in Italy for instance, where even those who aren't fans of the genre have at least heard of them.

'74 Jailbreak marks the germinal phase of the aforementioned AC/DC phenomenon, the dawn of the myth. Behind the microphone, the magnificent Bon Scott, with his unmistakable style and unique voice, as we hear in the title track Jailbreak, which opens the record, where he sings with his usual passion. In the interlude, where bass and drums proceed like a heartbeat, the spectacular call and response between voice and guitar, where the six strings even simulate sirens and gunshots... and then straight back to the powerful riff created by the wall of guitar sound of Malcolm and Angus Young. You Ain't Got A Hold On Me is particularly beautiful in the chorus, completely different from the rhythmic succession of the verse. Show Business, a song with a significant title, which narrates the adventures of the showbiz world, is nothing more than a delightful rock'n'roll, complete with choruses and a good solo. Soul Stripper is introduced by a nice bass that marks the simple rhythm, providing a backdrop for the guitar evolutions. Then the vocals present a rather original melodic line. Very fast rhythm instead in Baby Please Don't Go, with riffs almost country-like, and even tapping, which is quite rare in AC/DC songs.

This 25-minute EP was released in Australia in 1974 to "launch" the band and already presents the typical characteristics of the Young brothers' songwriting with Bon Scott (which will never change, creating the myth of "all the same records" discography). '74 Jailbreak was only released in 1984 in Canada, Japan, and the USA, while Europe saw a release in an elegant cardboard cover in 2003. This is an album that is not at all demanding to listen to, rather very immediate, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. And, if it's true that the discography with Bon Scott must be owned in its entirety, then '74 Jailbreak is certainly no exception. Recommended for anyone who wants to get an idea of AC/DC's great music.