AC/DC, ‘Live at River Plate’ – DVD Review

AC/DC fans can add yet another excellent concert DVD to their collections this week with the release of the Australian rock legends'' 'Live at the River Plate' film.  Yes, it's largely the same greatest hits parade we heard on previous tours, but a slightly relaxed pace emphasizes the deep groove of the band's early years.

Now, we're saying slightly, it's not like the band is limping around in strollers onstage or anything like that. Angus Young has lost maybe 5% of his unmatched manic energy, which still leaves him barreling around the stage for two hours about twice as fast as the teenagers skateboarding around your block right now.

Instead, the main difference seems to be that the band has gone back a bit to their original rock and roll sound, a small but significant shift from the past couple of decades, where they seemed to be performing their music in a slightly more aggressive, metallic direction.

The show's opening track, 'Rock n' Roll Train,' from their recent 'Black Ice' album, shows off the benefits of this approach perfectly. The song's simple, warm introductory riff seems a bit anti-climatic, especially after a video introduction that leads to a train literally crashing into the stage.

But soon enough all the parts start to bounce off and magnify each other, and next thing you know, the song's infectious chorus has 60,000 fans in Buenos Aires singing along enthusiastically.  Then we're off to the races, with strong, unadorned takes on  'Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be' and 'Back In Black' sending everyone into a frenzy.

The show goes on to hit all the highlights fans expect from an AC/DC show -- Angus's strip-tease during 'the Jack,' Brian Johnson hanging from a giant bell for 'Hell's Bells,' an extended -- and f%$#@% amazing -- guitar solo during 'Let There Be Rock,' and of course the cannons at the end of 'For Those About to Rock (We Salute You.)'

Also as you'd expect, bassist Cliff Williams and guitarist Malcolm Young only move from their spots directly in front of the amps to deliver their shout-along choruses. It'll be hard for you to do the same while watching this.

So definitely pick up 'Live at the River Plate,' and save some space on your shelf for the June release of AC/DC's long out of print and just plain incredible 1980 concert film 'Let There Be Rock.'

Watch AC/DC Perform 'Thunderstruck' from the 'Live at River Plate' DVD