AC/DC - Backtracks

Ridiculously collectible

There’s a plethora of reissues in DC-land right now, but this just about tops the lot. The limited and numbered deluxe edition of this box set features three CDs of rarities from studio and live performances, plus a live DVD and Part Three of Family Jewels, the engaging ongoing documentary brought up-to-date with all the videos and promo interviews and clips. An additional LP, plus a book, loads of memorabilia, photos and the rest of it – they’re all housed within an actual working-order 100- watt amplifier.

Whichever way you look at it, that’s a bang-and-a-half for your £150. No wonder they’re billing it as “the ultimate AC/DC experience”. The standard set ain’t half bad either, as it comes comprised of two CDs and Family Jewels.

Disc One covers most of the studio rarities – featuring alternate versions of classic tracks, with some previously only available on releases in Australia and Japan (Crabsody In Blue being a case in point), while Disc Two is a similarlyedited compilation of the two live rarities discs from the deluxe edition. A remastering job has sparked-up these not-entirely-obscure songs to gloriously energetic, high voltage rock’n’roll. Any AC/DC fan worth their school uniform, will, however, settle for nothing less than the deluxe edition. It’s only available online at www. acdcbacktracks.com – to those about to buy it, we salute you.

Columbia | 88697540992 (3-CD+2-DVD+LP+Book+one-watt amp)

Reviewed by Joe Shooman
<< Back to Issue 371