AC/DC - new video: Let's Play Ball

 
 
Good stuff...
 

 
After much teasing, AC/DC have unveiled the video for ‘Play Ball,’ the first single from their upcoming album, ‘Rock or Bust.’ You can view it above.
 
The clip shows the band in their traditional stage outfits — Angus Young in his schoolboy uniform, Brian Johnson in a flat cap — performing the song in between footage of various sporting events. This ranges from nuns playing soccer to trick-shot snooker to scantily clad women playing football, volleyball and sliding around in mud.
 
As has been frequently noted recently, two longtime members of AC/DC are missing from the video. Founding guitarist Malcolm Young has left the band due to dementia and has been replaced by his and Angus’ nephew, Stevie.
 
Drummer Phil Rudd also did not attend the video shoot. At the time, his absence was written off as a “family emergency,” and Rob Richards, formerly of Shogun, was behind the drum kit in the video. But Rudd has since been arrested and charged with threatening to have someone killed and possession of cannabis and methamphetamine. A fourth charge of trying to procure a murder was dropped. His status with AC/DC remains uncertain.
 
‘Rock or Bust’ will be released on Dec. 2.
 
(From: Ultimate Classic Rock)

Know what? I think I like Johnson's voice better on this than before. Not sure about the song though.
 
As for the video...

Rain
Know what? I think I like Johnson's voice better on this than before. Not sure about the song though.

That struck me too Krist, he sounds like he's actually singing rather than loudly growling through a smoker's cough

I like it! I'm a bit surprised that I do, but I do. I've always liked Angus' tone. He and Malcolm has had the same great tone for years...You know it's them right off. Hopefully the entire cd is good and not just this one song.

That's what it takes to make a horse race. I thought the video was just about perfect because it WAS so retro and plain jane.

 

jamesg1213
Me too. Loved the 1920's little girl shouting 'play ball'. Trying to emulate their guitar sound on a track atm and struggling...

I reckon the problem you're having is something to do with what you've explained to me on a few occasions before mate (see, I do take notice!), in as much as these types of crunchy saturated guitar tones are not really as overdriven/distorted as one might imagine.
 
Would I be right in assuming that 'sweet' sound is less to do with how much the amp is being driven and more to do with how loud/cranked the power amp stage is?
 
I've had the same trouble getting close to the Rossi/Parfitt Quo tone, and even more of a problem getting Joe Strummer's rhythm tone. The amps they all use aren't particularly known for high levels of distortion - Quo use a mixture of Vox AC30's and Marshall JCM 800's, with a boost pedal if required; Strummer kept it really simple and plugged his Tele straight into a Fender Twin Reverb (and later a Music Man HD-212 150W). I remember reading somewhere that Joe played unbelievably loud in the studio to get that rhythm sound.
 
So there you are James. Warn the sheep, horses and any stray haggis that have wandered onto the estate and dial the volume up to 9.726539
 
 
 
 
 
 

I've also been digging them a lot more than I used to. For years, I've discarded them for doing the same album for 40 years, but oddly enough, in today's world, AC/DC is like a bit of fresh air.
 
It sort of hit me a few years back when my wife and I were driving and the radio started playing For Those About to Rock. I'd heard that song dozens of times, but that time I really got goosebumps. 
 
Overall I tend to prefer the Bon Scott era though - album-wise, it's easier for me to put on Highway to Hell or Let There be Rock and enjoy the whole thing than with the later stuff. But there's some incredible music on a lot of those later records.

Rain
Know what? I think I like Johnson's voice better on this than before. Not sure about the song though.
 
As for the video...

Well the video doesn't load for me. Maybe YT is having issues :(
 

bhusisho
 
Well the video doesn't load for me. Maybe YT is having issues :(

Try this link Jeanne: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT8e7i0ccLQ

SteveStrummerUK

Rain
Know what? I think I like Johnson's voice better on this than before. Not sure about the song though.

That struck me too Krist, he sounds like he's actually singing rather than loudly growling through a smoker's cough

That was the first thing that struck me about this track too Steve...

I must have played this track three or four times since I first saw your link, now that doesn't happen too often nowadays, There is something about a quality new 'old skool' track that has a special appeal whatever the genre.

You guys have done it - AC/DC binge!