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My only regret other than the first song being edited is that no bonus tracks were included from either the original Australian release of "High Voltage" or "TNT" the other Australian only release that some of the tracks on the US version of "High Voltage" were taken. Some of these cuts are still not released in the United States.

The remastered version also contains new expanded liner notes and photos including copies of the Australian covers of "High Voltage" and "TNT". This is the album that started it all. The rest as they say is history. The Young brothers riffs carry the day along with the vocals of Scott. It is appropriate that this instantly recognizable band will be inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame.


This is a farce, part one   October 1, 2006
 7 out of 16 found this review helpful

By 1976, somebody had the rather strange idea of tearing apart the Australian version of "HIGH VOLTAGE" and "T.N.T", AC/DC's first two albums, and then sew some of the pieces together into this hodgepodge. Who's to blame for this rip off?. Somebody at Atlantic Records?. Some members of AC/DC?. Maybe both?. Who cares anyway?.
Certainly the late Bon Scott, a man who never minced words, was not particularly delirious about this idea. As he bitterly screamed in the title track of "DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP": "Neck ties, contracts, high voltage, done dirt cheap!". Now that I've got used to the Aussie albums, listening back to this "product" feels worse than a hangover from consuming adulterated, low quality spirits. Even the front cover is ridiculous. Perhaps those who conceived it intended to capture Angus Young's manic frenzy on stage. But the result is hilarious: a picture of Angus Young looking like a retard holding an obviously fake, broken Gibson SG. A real broken guitar would have saved the day (just a little bit).
Every enthusiastic record collector knows that both Atlantic records (now Warner Music) and Epic records (now Sony Music) are serious labels that took, and still take risks, by signing up cutting edge artists and by respecting their will. So, it seems that, with their approval of this re-issue, the surviving members of AC/DC are the ones to blame for this farce to go on, and on, and on ... If this is so ... well ... guys, we, the fans, made you filthy rich. We deserve the "real deals", available worldwide, at a "reasonable price".
A final word about this re-issue: I don't own it. In the words of Pete Townshend, I "won't get fooled again". Alas, there are no bonus tracks, nor previously unreleased material. For reasons unknown to me, the surviving members of AC/DC seem quite apprehensive about sharing a bit more of their music with us (both Warner Music and Sony Music are reissuing classic albums with tons of bonus/previously unreleased material).
If Bon Scott (undisputedly the band's most uncompromising member ever), was still alive, I believe things would be different. By the way, if you are interested in the real stuff, please be so kind as to read my review of ".T.N.T. (Import)".
OTHER ITEMS TO BE AVOIDED: The skimpy "retrospective" EP "'74 JAIBREAK", and "BONFIRE", a rather steep box set in which at least 6 songs are repeated twice, in different versions. None of these titles include all the songs left out by the adulteration of AC/DC's first four Aussie albums.


May Altman forever burn in hell...   September 3, 2006
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

The 1976 Rolling Stone writer who summed this album and AC/DC up as "calculated stupidity" was definitely in the wrong side of the univiverse when he reviewed this album, and he will forever burn in the annals of Rock n' Roll history. AC/DC instead went on to define Rock in the biggest way possible--as I remember, even the 80's punks, who revolted against most commercial heavy metal, including Led Zeppelin, still liked AC/DC, or at least some of their songs. Looking back on that era, I remember hardcore fans of The Smiths even getting off to AC/DC at selected moments!
Today, the influence of the group is unquestionable, and I think all the recognition, critical and otherwise, is warranted.
"High Voltage," in short, is one of those albums that, as you grow up, and if you are in a place in your life in those tender years to be touched by music, that you kind of live by. I never questioned its greatness too much, and still don't. These days, you'd call it "classic," in every respect--the look, the sounds, the approach, the attitude, the virtuosity, etc. This is the first chapter in the "Testament" of AC/DC. There is no bad song on this album. Where Back in Black was a triumph of and over the shadows of life and death--and is almost a spiritual experience in that regard--High Voltage is like clear, springtime jubilation. Ultimately, "Jubilant" is the one word that I use to describe this album. This is the glorious birthing of AC/DC, and it will continute to captivate and capture the spirit of all youth hence.




The first of many AC/DC classics   June 13, 2003
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I purchased the 2003 Re-issued version of this album on Cassette. I was so glad to see they were still making 'em! The liner notes aren't as fancy as the Compact Disc, but the sound is crisp and clear just the same, a marked improvement over past versions.

Originally released in the U.S in 1976, High Voltage is a classic and was the first of the "Essential Four" Bon Scott-era albums (This, Let there be rock, Powereage, and Highway to hell.)

Since they hadn't achieved it yet, the boys sound hungry for fame here. Which isn't better or worse than following albums, it's just different.

"It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock 'N' Roll" sets the tone, bolstered by a bagpipe flavor. "Rock 'N' Roll singer" has a catchy riff and tells the story of Bon's defiance of the status quo. He sums it up best:

"My Daddy was workin' nine to five
When my Momma was havin' me
By the time I was half alive
They knew what I was gonna be
But I left school and grew my hair
They didn't understand
They wanted me to be respected as
A doctor or a lawyer man
(But I had other plans)"

"The Jack" plods along nicely, and "Live Wire" has a memorable chorus. Side 2 starts with "TNT" whose opening chords you may be familiar with. This song is still a live pillar today, and with good reason, as it's qualities are anthemic.

On "Can I sit next to you Girl" the guitars briskly wind, followed by "Little Lover" which is bluesy to the core. If your head doesn't nod to the enormous groove of this track, I really coundn't help you. To top it all off, Bon's lyrics are Genius:

"Little lover, I can't get you off my mind
Little Lover, I've been trying hard to find
someone to give me the things that I need, ow!

You had my picture
On your bedroom wall
Next to Gary Glitter, yeah
I was standing on the stage
Playing rock 'n' roll
I was a guitar picker, yeah
Never had a record
Never had a hit
Oh baby
You didn't mind a bit"

"She's got balls" has sleazy lyrics, backed by a distorted crunch. The closing title track rocks out splendidly.

"High Voltage" is an undeniable classic, for newcomers I'd recommend this as your first Bon Scott-Era album.