AC/DC-"Play Ball" Single

Albert/Columbia
2014

"Play Ball" is the first single from AC/DC's upcoming album, "Rock or Bust". Due for release on November 28th in their home country of Australia and on December 2nd everywhere else, "Rock or Bust" will be the first "full-length" studio album from these Aussie rockers since 2008's "Black Ice". You'll no doubt notice that I put full-length in parentheses as AC/DC's new album is rumored to be under 40 minutes in length! Whether that ultimately proves to be the case or not it's worth mentioning that "Rock or Bust" will be the band's first album not to feature founding member and rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young. For health reasons Malcolm Young had to leave the band with his replacement, Stevie Young (Angus Young's nephew), having some big shoes to fill. As distinctive as Malcom's guitar playing was a single like "Play Ball" does suffer, but to be honest AC/DC really hasn't been the same band that I feel in love with for years. Of course that is just my opinion and I'm sure many will disagree with me, but "Play Ball" is another sad reminder of just how good AC/DC used to be. It's not just that the memorable hits are simply not there anymore (and by that I mean numbers that instantly ring true as rock and roll classics) it's almost as if the same drive that brought AC/DC to the top of the game has gone missing. While "Play Ball" is OK in and of itself it is hardly a song that makes for a must-download and by this point in time one does has to wonder if it is finally time for these greats to exist on a good note?