Runnin' Wild

by Airbourne

Overview

With their debut album, Runnin' Wild, Melbourne, Australia's Airbourne add their name to a long list of Aussie and non-Aussie bands earnestly beholden to hard rock godfathers AC/DC. Although good timing may be on their side because, inevitable charges of cloning notwithstanding, there's arguably never been a greater need for fresh blood like Airbourne to come along and revive this hallowed form of basic, pub-born, boogie rock & roll. After all, 2007 marks the seventh anniversary (or, more appropriately, the seven year itch) since AC/DC delivered a studio album of their own, and that was the career lowlight Stiff Upper Lip, containing one great single and a lot of filler. So when compounded with Airbourne's natural, no-fuss songwriting instincts, even the most cynical of fans will likely be happy to put their suspicions aside, and simply enjoy the Runnin' Wild ride for what it's worth. And what it's worth, dear friends, is classic hard rock gold (if not platinum) epitomized by blue collar, straightforward, pint-lifting anthems like the title track, "Heartbreaker," and the rousing introduction of "Stand Up for Rock & Roll." Interestingly, along with instrumentally spare, mid-paced offerings such as "Diamond in the Rough," "Fat City," "What's Eating You," and even first single "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast," Airbourne's overall aesthetic draws as much from Brian Johnson-era AC/DC as the more commonly emulated Bon Scott -- and perhaps this too is what helps to distinguish them from their more hopelessly indebted predecessors (hello, Rhino Bucket!). In any case, the biting attack brought to bear by lead shrieker and guitarist Joel O'Keeffe and his crew rarely falls short of electrifying results, but there's obviously an incrementally spine-tingling energy to be found in the album's faster-paced, hard-driving offerings such as "Blackjack," "Girls in Black," "Let's Ride" and the aforementioned title track. Finally, those still refusing to overlook the band's AC/DC-isms and focus on the songs are challenged to keep a smile off their faces during "Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women," which, like the rest of Runnin' Wild reminds us that it's really sort of stupid (and pointless) to resist the uplifting power of rock & roll, and therefore Airbourne themselves. 'Nuff said -- sometimes surprise is overrated -- let's rock! ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

Product Details

Release Date:	11/23/2018
Label:	NETTWERK RECORDS
UPC:	0067003105712

Tracks

1. Stand Up for Rock 'N' Roll
2. Runnin' Wild
3. Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast
4. Diamond in the Rough
5. Fat City
6. Blackjack
7. What's Eatin' You
8. Girls in Black
9. Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women
10. Heartbreaker
11. Hellfire

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Airbourne   Primary Artist
Joel O'Keeffe   Guitar,Vocals

Technical Credits

Ted Jensen   Mastering
Andy Wallace   Mixing
Bob Marlette   Producer
Craig Harnath   Mixing
Sid Riggs   Assistant Engineer
Joel O'Keeffe   Composer,Lyricist,Group Member
Jan Petrov   Mixing Assistant
Mike Scielzi   Mixing Assistant
David Schiffman   Engineer
Airbourne   Producer
Ron Laffitte   A&R
Louie Bandak   A&R
Finn Keane   Mixing
Ryan O'Keeffe   Composer,Lyricist
Victor Wright   Composer