: Classics and rarities fuel Iron Man 2 soundtrack
AC/DC
Iron Man 2 (Soundtrack), Columbia
www.acdc.com
By Thom Copher
I recently posed a question concerning the Iron Man 2 soundtrack to a
friend as we were discussing all-things AC/DC: “How do you review a
compilation album by The World's Greatest Band?” His reply…
“AWESOME!” So, there y’go… assessment done… THAT WAS EASY!!!
Seriously, though, bands nowadays have to pull out some punches with
re-issued material unless the release is a contractual obligation.
AC/DC has succeeded with Iron Man 2 by giving us a nice assortment of
old favorites mixed with some rarities and surprises… especially if you
pitch in a coupla extra bucks and go the Deluxe Edition CD/DVD route.
First off, Iron Man 2 is not a “greatest hits” album… AC/DC has never
been, at least in the commercial sense, a “singles/hits” band. That
Iron Man 2 (Soundtrack), Columbia
www.acdc.com
By Thom Copher
I recently posed a question concerning the Iron Man 2 soundtrack to a
friend as we were discussing all-things AC/DC: “How do you review a
compilation album by The World's Greatest Band?” His reply…
“AWESOME!” So, there y’go… assessment done… THAT WAS EASY!!!
Seriously, though, bands nowadays have to pull out some punches with
re-issued material unless the release is a contractual obligation.
AC/DC has succeeded with Iron Man 2 by giving us a nice assortment of
old favorites mixed with some rarities and surprises… especially if you
pitch in a coupla extra bucks and go the Deluxe Edition CD/DVD route.
First off, Iron Man 2 is not a “greatest hits” album… AC/DC has never
been, at least in the commercial sense, a “singles/hits” band. That
"Thunderstruck” and “T.N.T.” to name a few. Unlike the
band’s previous soundtrack effort Who Made Who (which fueled
Stephen King's Maximum Overdrive flick in 1986 with mostly
post-Back in Black material), IM2 is balanced between the Bon
Scott and Brian Johnson eras.
“Guns For Hire” and "Evil Walks” lead the lesser-known track
list and are likely included here to fit the movie's screenplay;
a really cool inclusion is “Cold Hearted Man” from the European
version of the band's pivotal Powerage disc - one which,
unfortunately, is generally overlooked these days.
The DVD, for my hard-earned dollars, justifies money well-
spent. There are two vids, “Shoot to Thrill” and “Highway to
Hell,” which were constructed specifically for IM2. If you dig
fast cars, explosions and skin-tight-clad hotties up on stage
band’s previous soundtrack effort Who Made Who (which fueled
Stephen King's Maximum Overdrive flick in 1986 with mostly
post-Back in Black material), IM2 is balanced between the Bon
Scott and Brian Johnson eras.
“Guns For Hire” and "Evil Walks” lead the lesser-known track
list and are likely included here to fit the movie's screenplay;
a really cool inclusion is “Cold Hearted Man” from the European
version of the band's pivotal Powerage disc - one which,
unfortunately, is generally overlooked these days.
The DVD, for my hard-earned dollars, justifies money well-
spent. There are two vids, “Shoot to Thrill” and “Highway to
Hell,” which were constructed specifically for IM2. If you dig
fast cars, explosions and skin-tight-clad hotties up on stage
Brian Johnson, Angus Young and Cliff Williams belting it out on AC/DC's current
Black Ice tour. (Photo by Steve Gerrard)
Black Ice tour. (Photo by Steve Gerrard)
and shakin’ it for all it’s worth – not to mention footage of Angus and the boys rockin’ out live – you’ll dig these.
The real gems are from deep in the AC/DC archives – “Rock and Roll Damnation” is taken from 1978 on the Powerage tour and
displays the ever-energetic Bon Scott at the helm while “Guns for Hire” features the Brian Johnson-fronted band on the Flick
of the Switch road jaunt (circa 1983).
AC/DC has historically been a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The IM2 soundtrack is cool for old fans who may lack a
nugget or two from the treasure chest. More importantly, it serves as a primer for the younger crowd – a sizable demographic
for the movie’s targeted marketing – or anyone else who is not tuned in to AC/DC outside of “classic-rock” radio programming.
In short, Iron Man 2 is exactly what you should expect when The World's Greatest Band does business with The World's
Greatest Superhero.
The real gems are from deep in the AC/DC archives – “Rock and Roll Damnation” is taken from 1978 on the Powerage tour and
displays the ever-energetic Bon Scott at the helm while “Guns for Hire” features the Brian Johnson-fronted band on the Flick
of the Switch road jaunt (circa 1983).
AC/DC has historically been a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The IM2 soundtrack is cool for old fans who may lack a
nugget or two from the treasure chest. More importantly, it serves as a primer for the younger crowd – a sizable demographic
for the movie’s targeted marketing – or anyone else who is not tuned in to AC/DC outside of “classic-rock” radio programming.
In short, Iron Man 2 is exactly what you should expect when The World's Greatest Band does business with The World's
Greatest Superhero.
having been said, IM2 can be classified as a "best of" offering if you consider the band's blue-collar approach - the hits here
are those which have propelled road trips and keg parties since 1975 – “Back in Black,” “Let There be Rock,” “Highway to Hell,”
are those which have propelled road trips and keg parties since 1975 – “Back in Black,” “Let There be Rock,” “Highway to Hell,”
