There have been one or two brave (some would say foolish) souls who have tried to emulate the tried and trusted AC/DC formula over the years. Arguably the most successful were Aussie rockers Rose Tattoo. However with the release of ‘Runnin’ Wild’ by fellow Aussies Airbourne maybe that’s about to change. 

Aussies are known for their straightforward, down to earth approach and that’s what you get with ‘Runnin’ Wild’. No sickly Power Ballads. No farty keyboards. Just four hairy arsed Aussies cranking out AC/DC style ditties, southern hemisphere style. The sheer lack of pretension is this albums joy. No wizards. No sign of ‘ol nick. No sign of David Hasselhoff – although you might think the last two are related! (Allegedly.) 

For lovers of classic Marshall amp noise (i.e. the Young Bros) this will have you drooling. Airbourne have faithfully recreated said signature sound with ease. It’s almost uncanny. Even the vibrato sounds a little like Angus on the solos. Yes it’s very close to a rip off. But with the mighty DC seemingly in permanent hibernation who cares? ‘Runnin’ Wild’ is a much needed shot in the arm for all of us who actually like ‘plug in and play’ retro blues rock.  

Opening with ‘Stand Up For Rock ‘N’ Roll’ it’s clear Airbourne do what they say on the tin. Joel O’Keeffe’s vocals (he sound’s like a cross between Brian Johnson and Angry Anderson) hit the spot straight away and for fans of Bon Scott he’s even tried some cheeky, chappie lyrics – though he’s no Bon to be fair.  

It has to be said that in 2008 a song with the sentiment ‘Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women’ is a little bit arcadian, however tongue in cheek! However such straightforward brilliance as ‘Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast’ and the awesome ‘Diamond In The Rough’ prove that Airbourne can be their own men whilst retaining the DC formula.  

With a simplistic running order of only eleven in yer face Blues Rock gems, with no pause for thought, this is a must listen to retro cracker with modern production values. I suspect that it will feature in quite a few people’s top tens for 2008. Original it certainly isn’t but ‘Runnin’ Wild’ is a whole lot of fun in a world that takes itself just a mite too serious sometimes. Bet they are the dog’s dangly bits live.

Let us know your views on Runnin' Wild

Track Listing

Stand Up For Rock 'N' Roll
Runnin' Wild
Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast
Diamond In The Rough
Fat City
Blackjack
What's Eatin' You
Girls In Black
Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women
Heartbreaker
Hellfire

Line Up

Joel O'Keeffe – Vocals/Guitars
Ryan O'Keeffe - Drums
David Roads - Guitars
Justin Street - Bass