The Razors Edge
Studio album by
AC/DC
Released24 September 1990 (1990-09-24)
Recorded1990
StudioLittle Mountain Sound (Vancouver)
GenreHard rock
Length46:11
Label
ProducerBruce Fairbairn
AC/DC chronology
Blow Up Your Video
(1988)		 The Razors Edge
(1990)		 AC/DC Live
(1992)
Singles from The Razors Edge
  1. "Thunderstruck"
    Released: 10 September 1990
  2. "Moneytalks"
    Released: November 1990
  3. "Are You Ready"
    Released: 28 March 1991

The Razors Edge is the twelfth studio album by Australian rock band AC/DC. Released on 24 September 1990, through Albert Productions/CBS Records International in Australasia and Atlantic Records in Europe, it was recorded in 1990 in Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada, and was mixed and engineered by Mike Fraser and produced by Bruce Fairbairn. It was a major comeback for the band, featuring the hits "Thunderstruck", "Are You Ready" and "Moneytalks". This is the only studio album to feature Chris Slade, who was the drummer for AC/DC from 1989 to his dismissal in 1994.

Critical commentary for the album was generally mixed, with one complimenting Brian Johnson and Angus Young, while the other criticises its similarity to the band's past works. The album reached number 2 on the US Billboard 200 and number 4 on the UK Albums Chart, a smash commercial success that returned the band to the popularity of its glory years of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The album earned multi-platinum certifications in Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the US. To support The Razors Edge, the band undertook the Razors Edge World Tour, starting in November 1990.

Background

In 1987, the band had recorded Blow Up Your Video (1988) with their original producers, Harry Vanda and George Young.[1][2] It was a commercial success – the album reached number 2 in the UK,[3] and Australia.[4] The Blow Up Your Video World Tour began in February 1988 in Perth, Australia. following live appearances across Europe, Malcolm Young announced that he was taking time off touring, principally to begin recovery from his alcoholism. Another member of the Young family, their nephew, Stevie Young, temporarily took Malcolm's place on rhythm guitar.[5][6] In 1989, drummer Simon Wright left the group to work on British heavy metal band Dio's fifth studio album Lock Up the Wolves (1990); he was replaced by session veteran Chris Slade.[6] Brian Johnson was unavailable for several months while finalising his divorce, so the Young brothers wrote all the songs for the next album, a practice they continued for all subsequent releases through Power Up in 2020.[7]

Recording and composition

Malcolm Young in 1990

The Razors Edge was recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada, and was mixed and engineered by Mike Fraser, produced by Bruce Fairbairn, who had previously worked with Aerosmith and Bon Jovi.[8][9] and mastered by George Marino, at Sterling Sound in New York City.[9] According to the book AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll, George Young was involved early on but had to bow out because of personal issues.[10]

The instantly recognizable opening riff to "Thunderstruck" features Angus Young alternating between fretted notes and playing the open string. In a 1993 interview with Guitar World's Alan di Perna, the guitarist recalls, "I was just fiddling with my left hand when I came up with that riff; I played it more by accident than anything. I thought, 'not bad,' and put it on a tape. That's how me and Malcolm generally work. We put our ideas down on tape and play them for one another."[11] He expanded in greater detail in the liner notes of the 2003 re-release of The Razors Edge:[12]

It started off from a little trick I had on guitar. I played it to Mal and he said "Oh, I've got a good rhythm idea that will sit well in the back." We built the song up from that. We fiddled about with it for a few months before everything fell into place. Lyrically, it was really just a case of finding a good title...We came up with this thunder thing and it seemed to have a good ring to it. AC/DC = Power. That's the basic idea.

"Moneytalks" is also one of AC/DC's biggest hits, peaking number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100,[13] the UK Singles Chart,[3] and the Australian ARIA Singles Chart.[14] It is still the band's highest-charting single in the United States, at number 23.[13] During their subsequent world tour, thousands of "Angus Bucks" were dropped on the audience during the song.[15] A music video of the song, directed by David Mallet, was also released, featuring a live performance during the tour.[16]

Author Murray Engleheart states in his band memoir AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll: "On songs like 'Mistress for Christmas' and 'Moneytalks', Malcolm and Angus showed their working-class roots, despite multi-millionaire selling albums, by taking aim at the high flyers in the business world".[10] In a February 1991 interview with Guitar World, Angus Young stated that the funniest song from the album was "Mistress for Christmas", and then said that the song was about Donald Trump. In the same interview, he declared that his best guitar solo on the album was on the song the title track, which also features a rare foray into finger picking.[17]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[18]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal9/10[19]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[20]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[21]
Rolling Stone[22]
Select[23]

Released on 24 September 1990,[8][24] through Albert Productions/CBS Records in Australasia and Atlantic Records in Europe,[25] The Razors Edge received generally mixed to positive reviews from critics. AllMusic complimented both the vocal performance by Brian Johnson and the guitar playing of Angus Young, and said that the album was "arguably [the band's] strongest album in over half a decade".[18] Entertainment Weekly gave the album a very favourable review, saying that "this is one album that really delivers".[21] Canadian journalist Martin Popoff defined the album "tight, highly strung and menacing... entirely worthy of its status as the grand comeback of legendary rock 'n' roll runts".[19] Rolling Stone, on the other hand, gave the album two out of five stars, criticizing its similarity to past AC/DC works, and said that "with The Razors Edge, AC/DC sets a new record for the longest career without a single new idea".[22]

The album was a major comeback for the band, featuring the singles "Thunderstruck" and "Are You Ready", which reached number 5 and number 16 respectively on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart,[26] and "Moneytalks", which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, and stayed on the chart for 77 consecutive weeks.[27] It also reached number 4 on OCC's UK Albums Chart.[3] The Razors Edge received certifications, including 5× Platinum in Australia,[28] Canada,[29] and the US;[30] 2× Platinum in Germany,[31] and Switzerland;[32] Platinum in Argentina,[33] Austria,[34] Finland,[35] New Zealand,[36] Spain,[37] and Sweden;[38] and Gold in Denmark,[39] France,[40] Italy,[41] and the UK.[42] The album has sold approximately 18.8 million copies worldwide, making it the third highest selling AC/DC album after Back in Black and High Voltage.[43]

To further promote The Razors Edge, the band undertook a world tour starting on 2 November 1990 and ending on 16 November 1991. Several shows on the Razors Edge Tour were recorded for the 1992 live album titled AC/DC Live. The album was produced by Fairbairn, and is considered one of the best live albums of the 1990s.[44]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Angus Young and Malcolm Young.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Thunderstruck"4:52
2."Fire Your Guns"2:53
3."Moneytalks"3:48
4."The Razors Edge"4:22
5."Mistress for Christmas"3:59
6."Rock Your Heart Out"4:06
Side two
No.TitleLength
7."Are You Ready"4:10
8."Got You by the Balls"4:30
9."Shot of Love"3:56
10."Let's Make It"3:32
11."Goodbye & Good Riddance to Bad Luck"3:13
12."If You Dare"3:08
Total length:46:11

Personnel

AC/DC

Production

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[33]
Spanish Version "El Filo de las Navajas" 		Platinum 60,000^
Australia (ARIA)[28] 5× Platinum 350,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[34] Platinum 50,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[29] 5× Platinum 500,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[39] Gold 10,000‡
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[35] Platinum 63,926[35]
France (SNEP)[40] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[31] 2× Platinum 1,000,000^
Italy (FIMI)[41]
since 2009 		Gold 25,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[36] Platinum 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37] Platinum 100,000^
Sweden (GLF)[38] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[32] 2× Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[30] 5× Platinum 5,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for The Razors Edge
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 24 September 1990 [8][24][25]
25 March 2003
[68]
19 November 2012 Digital download Columbia [69]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Elliott 2018, p. 169.
  2. ↑ Prato, Greg. "AC/DC – Blow Up Your Video". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "AC/DC | Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ↑ Kent 1993.
  5. ↑ Olivier (26 December 2021). "Simon Wright recalls Stevie Young Replacing Malcolm Young on AC/DC's Blow Up Your Video World Tour". Sleaze Roxx. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. 1 2
  7. ↑ Elliott 2018, p. 173.
  8. 1 2 3 Elliott 2018, pp. 174, 184.
  9. 1 2 Albert Productions; ATCO Records. The Razors Edge (CD). AC/DC. 7567-91413-2. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 Engleheart & Durieux 2008.
  11. ↑ di Perna, Alan (7 February 2008). "AC/DC: Hard as a Rock". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  12. ↑ Young, Angus (2003). The Razors Edge (booklet). AC/DC. Epic Records.
  13. 1 2 "AC/DC Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  14. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "AC/DC – 'Moneytalks'". Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien). Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  15. ↑ Sobolev, Jacob. "Top 30 AC/DC Guitar Songs You Must Learn – Tabs Included". Rock Guitar Universe. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023. While the band played 'Moneytalks' during their world tour they dropped thousands of Angus Bucks at the audience.
  16. ↑ "Moneytalks (Official HD Video)". AC/DC. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023 – via YouTube.
  17. ↑ Gilbert, Jeff (15 October 2011). "Angus Young of AC/DC Discusses Guitar Riffs and Brown Gibson SG's in 1991 Guitar World Interview". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  18. 1 2 Henderson, Alex. "AC/DC - The Razors Edge review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  19. 1 2 Popoff 2007, p. 42.
  20. ↑ Larkin 2007, p. 34.
  21. 1 2 Sandow, Greg (5 October 1990). "The Razors Edge". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  22. 1 2 Mendelsohn, John (15 November 1990). "The Razor's Edge". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  23. ↑ Putterford, Mark (October 1990). "Still Razor Sharp". Select. No. 4. p. 94.
  24. 1 2 Durieux, Arnaud. "AC/DC Discography: The Razors Edge". Electric Shock. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  25. 1 2 Holmgren, Magnus. "AC/DC". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 6 December 2003. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  26. ↑ "AC/DC Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  27. 1 2 "AC DC Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  28. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  29. 1 2 "Canadian album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Music Canada. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  30. 1 2 "American album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  31. 1 2 "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (AC/DC; 'The Razor's Edge')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  32. 1 2 "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('The Razor's Edge')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  33. 1 2 "Discos de Oro y Platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  34. 1 2 "Austrian album certifications – AC/DC – The Razor's Edge" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  35. 1 2 3 "AC/DC" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  36. 1 2 "New Zealand album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  37. 1 2 Salaverrie 2005, p. 962.
  38. 1 2 "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  39. 1 2 "Danish album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  40. 1 2 "French album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  41. 1 2 "Italian album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  42. 1 2 "British album certifications – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  43. ↑ Erel, Eray (6 March 2022). "Top 10 Highest-Selling AC/DC Albums Until 2023". Metal Castle. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  44. ↑ Weber, Barry. "AC/DC – AC/DC Live". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  45. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  46. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – AC/DC – The Razors Edge" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  47. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9106". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  48. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – AC/DC – The Razors Edge" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  49. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "AC/DC". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  50. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – AC/DC – The Razors Edge" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  51. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2008. 45. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  52. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  53. ↑ "レイザーズ・エッジ | AC/DC | ORICON NEWS" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  54. ↑ "Charts.nz – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  55. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  56. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  57. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  58. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – AC/DC – The Razors Edge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  59. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1990". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  60. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  61. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  62. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1990". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  63. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1991". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  64. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  65. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1991". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  66. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1991". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  67. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1991". Billboard. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  68. ↑ "Epic Rolls Out First AC/DC Reissues". Billboard. 30 January 2003. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  69. ↑ Sisario, Ben (19 November 2012). "AC/DC Joins iTunes, as Spotify Emerges as Music's New Disrupter". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2023.

Sources

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