Back in Black or For Those About to Rock?

Back in Black was Brian Johnson's first album with AC/DC. For Those About to Rock was the follow up to that album. Both were produced by Mutt Lange. Back in Black was the album that truly cemented AC/DC's rock gods status in America and it was the album that made it clear Mutt Lange was a producer in demand. Both albums are fantastic. Which do you prefer?

Back in Black features the massive hit You Shook Me all Night Long as well as such favorites as Shoot to Thrill, Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, Hell's Bells, Have a Drink on Me, and the title track Back in Black. The album is the second best selling album worldwide, topped only by Michael Jackson's Thriller.

For Those About to Rock includes tracks like Let's Get It Up, Inject the Venom, Put the Finger on You, C.O.D., Evil Walks, and the anthem-like For those about to Rock (We Salute You).

While For Those About to Rock sold less copies than Back in Black, it became the first AC/DC album to reach number one on the Billboard charts in America.

My vote goes to For Those About to Rock. It's really splitting hairs here and nothing more than a personal preference for the songs on For those About to Rock over the songs on Back in Black. Although Back in Black probably has more recognizable songs, I like the tracks on For those About to Rock better. It's really as simple as that. Both albums have the same great production quality and bring the blood to a boil. Put either one on and you're tapping your feet Angus style.

Comment with your favorite and why.

Bon Scott or Brian Johnson?

How 'bout a little rock 'n' roll showdown. Which AC/DC singer do you prefer, Bon Scott or Brian Johnson? Although Brian has been singing for the band for thirty plus years, I think he still has to walk in the shadow of Bon Scott. That's ridiculous to me. Bon Scott was with the band for about six years, and yeah, his voice is on some of the most iconic AC/DC records out there, including the mega Highway to Hell record, but his time in AC/DC was relatively short. His contribution can't be denied, but when you look at the success of the band with Brian at the mic, there is also no denying the importance of Brian Johnson to AC/DC either.

My wife didn't even realize there were two singers involved. To her, the singer on Highway to Hell and Shook Me all Night Long were the same. I can certainly hear the distinct difference in vocal tone and styling, but this illustrates a good point. AC/DC could not have replaced Bon Scott with a better singer. While Bon Scott's voice was well suited to the music of AC/DC, Brian Johnson's voice is equally suited. At this point in rock 'n' roll history, I couldn't imagine another singer in AC/DC, including Bon Scott if he were still alive.

Here's the thng for me. Bon Scott recorded some great material with AC/DC. Highway to Hell, Bon's last record with the boys, still ranks as one of my favorite AC/DC records of all time, right along with the killer Let There Be Rock. That said, you can't downplay the greatness of post Bon Scott records like Back in Black, For Those About to Rock, Stiff Upper Lip, or Black Ice. It really isn't a competition. Both singers are intense and perfect for AC/DC. My opinion, however, is that Brian Johnson should not be walking in Bon's shadow. He has, since 1980, carved his own legacy with the band, and in my eyes, he is the iconic AC/DC singer.

Anybody have a different take?