Airbourne Album: “Runnin' Wild [Roadrunner]”

God, this is great music. I just got it an hour or so ago and have already played through it once, so I don't have an in depth review, but God Almighty does this kick a** in the royal tradition of the best of AC/DC. I think after I've played it 10 times I'll still think it is better than any AC/DC since Back in Black. I think even my 49 year old wife was diggin' it. Rejoice! I want more of this now. ROCK!

For the first time in a long time, it actually seems like real rock & roll is coming back in a big way. New bands are emerging from all over the globe that are bucking trends and making music that is fun and that flat out rocks. Australia's Airbourne are one of the best of this new breed of real rock & roll bands.

Airbourne's sound can be described in one word: AC/DC. This band is following in their legendary countrymen's footsteps in every possible way, from their huge guitar hooks to the raspy vocals to the innuendo-laden lyrics to embracing every excess of the rock & roll lifestyle. Normally I'd write off this kind of hero worship as shallow, but that's missing the point here. It's not shallow, it's gloriously shallow. It's big dumb rock in the best possible sense of the term.

2008's Runnin' Wild is the band's debut, and if ever an album was made to blow out stereo speakers, it is this one. It's one massive rock anthem after another celebrating rock & roll, booze, sex, and having sex while drinking booze and rocking. The lyrics are incredibly silly, but really, who cares? You don't buy an album like Runnin' Wild expecting the next Radiohead. You buy it because it's fun and it rocks, and man o man does it ever deliver. The whole album is fun, but I prefer the faster paced songs. Opening single "Stand Up for Rock n' Roll" is a terrific rock anthem, and the title track is even better.

What more can I say? If you miss this kind of rock, get this CD now!

PS - Seeing these guys live was probably as much fun as I've ever had at a rock & roll show. There were roughly 50 people there, and Airbourne played like they were headlining a packed arena, complete with singer/guitarist Joel O'Keeffe going "walkabout" with his guitar and doing an extended solo on top of the bar. They played every song from this album and even threw in the bonus track from the import version. If you get the chance, go see `em.

Awesome band! Awesome music! The next great "hair band" is here. The first time I heard their music on the radio I was blown away. The first radio station in America to play Airbourne's music was 98 Rock in Baltimore.

Airbourne has a great heavy metal, high energy sound. Think of it like Jackyl singing AC/DC music. They definitely sound a bit like AC/DC....BUT make no mistake about it, they have a sound of their own that's incredible. A sound that will make them the next great hard rock band.

I bought the CD as soon as it was available in America at the end of January, 2008. One of the best CD's I ever bought, there's not a bad song on the album. The song 'Diamond in the rough' kicks A**. I went to see them live at the Recher Theater in Towson, Md. Outrageously incredible show, they rocked. They sound fantastic live and the energy they bring is second to none. You could tell from the beginning (of the show) these guys are for real, they aren't wanna bees, they aren't fake. I was literally 20 feet from the stage and you could see the expressions on the band members faces, you could see the 'heart' and determination they bring to their music. I consider myself blessed to have seen these guys up close and in person at the Recher 'cause in a couple years it will be hard to get tickets when they are playing in front of large crowds.

Airbourne ROCKS!

In a world dominated by hip- hop and so- called "nu- metal," it's great to see a new trend developing in rock music- there are several bands rising up right now pumping out some excellent rock 'n roll. Airbourne returns to the roots of good ol' rock 'n roll that ruled the airwaves back in the 70's (arguably the best era of rock music).

There's nothing deep or introspective about this album- it's all about boozing it up and getting laid. It's Friday night party music, and there's not a weak track on the entire album.

No doubt that some people will dismiss this band as AC/DC "wannabees" or crticised for being a one-trick pony (none of the songs really deviate from one another: it's all the classic 3- chord progressive rock much in the vain of AC/DC). However, the music is very tight and there are some excellent (albeit short) guitar riffs. This is a talented group of musicians. More importantly, this album really lifts the spirits and gets you popping open those cans of beer. It's what rock 'n roll is meant to be. Excellent!

Standout tracks include:

"Stand Up For Rock'Roll"

"Runnin' Wild"

"Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast"

"Blackjack"

"What's Eating You"

"Heartbreaker"

Airbourne are a great rock album who sound very much like ac/dc.Their debut album is just to good to be true with some great songs.Highly recommended.