AC/DC Repetitive?
 

AC/DC are one of my all time favourite bands, but I do find a lot of their music repetitive, like a lot of their songs sound the same. Does anyone agree/disagree?

"I'm tired of people saying we have ten albums that sound the same.
We have eleven albums that sound the same."
-Angus Young.

lol I never heard that quote before :D

I still think they're great, and they are very prolific in their work, I just wish they were a little bit more creative.

You really think someone would do that? Just go on the internet and tell lies?

If you find a lot of it repetitive then don't listen to a lot of it.

There's no picture next to gunnels quote, so that was an incorrect usage of Lincoln's most famous quote...

Also, I think with AC/DC as they've been around so long, after sooooooo many songs, it's bound to start sounding the same at some points. Still, they are a great band.

They were good at what they did. Which was make some straightforward, riff-oriented rock that you can bang your head and drink a beer to. Not much room for anything else.

They're repetitive because they write songs using the same basic blues/rock chords every time. And it sells records so why change anything? I think you have to take risks to be a truly great band but they're pretty good for what they do. Just don't expect me to be rushing to get their new album :)

I have nothing to add that hasn't already been said...


In case anyone was wondering...

I see there are a lot of clowns on this forum.

I agree.

AC/DC is simple, straight up, basic chord progression rock. What I think makes them so good is how clockwork tight they are, coupled with the snotty bravado (esp. of Bon Scott). Brian Johnson was amazing on "Back In Black" IMO but for the most part I vastly prefer the Bon Scott albums.

Oh, this is my initial post here. Hi everybody. :)

Well to be fair this thread isn't doing much other than stating the obvious.

I think they had more musical depth to their sound when Bon Scott was the frontman, as he was also largely the leader of the band.

I like Brian Johnson, but as the 80's rolled on, they did start to sound more and more repetitive.

As I stated previously, this is my opinion as well, in fact I'd take it a step further and opine that everything after BIB (which IMO is freakin' brilliant) was a gradual but distinct downslide.

Bon Scott had such a snarky impish bravado that I really appreciated, as well. BJ just doesn't have that.

They still put on a great live show, regardless of whether or not their last few albums have been a bit repetitive.

Not a huge fan of post-Bon AC/DC.

My father still claims the live show is where it's at, but listening to the live recordings doesn't do much for me.

Regardless, that's all the AC/DC I have.

I do agree. There's a first period of listening to AC/DC as "oh yeah keep rockin'!" until not long after it's "stop and get off that train your rail wailing is giving me a headache." They practically fool around, use hard grainy guitars with the same tempo and progression in most songs.

Burn out very quickly.

When I was a kid I asked this cool dude who worked at the record store I visited every week why AC/DC never did ballads like the way KISS did Beth and he just said it's not their thing. I can't think of any two bands that stuck to their roots more than AC/DC and The Ramones. And I love them both. If a pizza shop sells fantastic slices isn't that enough? It's not like they're the only restaurant in town.

so, I think that ACDC'S music is very repetitive, but is them choice , because they have choice to play in classic 4/4 and all work it does the guitar...

it's a simple choice . however you said a correct thing.
I agree .:beer::beer::beer:

Sure, they are incredibly repetitive. But a bunch of their songs stand out enough to have their own identity, and it's those songs that makes AC/DC a worthy band. They've never been one of my favourites, honestly, but some brainwashing by an ex-friend made me appreciate some of their material. Songs like "Shoot to Thrill", "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" and "Highway to Hell" are simply sublime stuff to listen to, especially when you're drunk.

The Ramones did ballads

I wanna be your boyfriend. Doo wop style and all, and it sucked. LOL

Agree but that is why Ac/Dc is still a popular band. I mean they never tried to pretend to be other bands though they have a highly laughable lead singer but since their songs are entertaining, then the lead singer is not important. The reason I like them is because they want to be "AC/DC" not others. I like some people because they stick to their sound if it made them good in the first place. I wish more bands of all genres follow Ac/Dc and stop changing always your music will eventually become garbage.

And Baby I Love You, which is amazing

I will attest to loving that song also. Maybe I missed the mark on the Ramones, they were a doo wop band that loved punk rock rythym. Pretty sweet.

Yep
 

They sound repetitive but who cares? If you like it then it does not matter.

Huh?

Joey had a sweet voice.

I guess the Ramone ballad equals the slow blues riff AC/DC song.

Very repetitive band. But there are some distinctive songs like "Hells' Bells," "For Those about to Rock...", and (my favorite and probably the most musically adventurous) "Thunderstruck."

Well, when you have something special sometimes is better not change that, no?

Bon Scott is a hipster icon.

They are super repetitive, but it works for them. They do it with enough energy that they can get away with it.

Of course AC/DC are repetitive, espeacially during the Bon Scott era, even a little more so than the introduction of Brian Johnson in the 80s. The popularity of AC/DC really doubled when Black In Black was released during the 80s. But that doesnt in any way take away the fact that Bon Scott is still to this day considered as one of the top front men in the history of R&R. Problem Child is still just as good today as it was in the 70s. Whole Lotta Rosie, and other singles as well.

I personally believe that Angus Young has always been the ultimate star of AC/DC. And his style at guitar may be one of the defining factors as to why their music has always been so repetitive. And also as to why they are one of the greatest blues/rock bands of all time. The stage presence and energy that Angus presents on stage is timeless, and in my personal opinion, one of the most underrated lead guitarist to this day.

During the 70s bands like AC/DC, ZZ Top, and even Black Sabbath (among others as well) were looked upon (by musicians especially) as bands that were basically 3 chord proggresion bands. And you have to consider that progressive rock with bands like (70s) Rush & Yes (just to name a few) Were much more popular during that particular era. The 70s produced Rock music to the perfection never before accomplished in the history of Rock & Roll at that time.

Here in the US during the 70s era, blues rock bands that were more popular and accepted by the masses were bands like Bad Company, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and countless others in the blues/rock catagory.