No, it isn't. Not enough to warrant the idea that he's somehow in the top ten most skilled ever. It's visually pleasing and entertaining, but the purpose of shredding isn't to hit specific notes in some sort of melody.
He's just not as musically accomplished as some other guitarists. Not top ten, no.
You caught me. I'm on some sort of musical Jihad against AC/DC where I post meaningless and baseless detractions about their relative ability.
Come on now, that's absurd. I'm simply telling you a simple truth: AC/DC's catalogue consists of contrived compositions that sound remarkably similar to their previous work. Even "Thunderstruck," which starts out with a truly memorable guitar riff, fades into the same rhythm and riff section that Young and company vaccuum seal in the freezer, to pull out on their next album.
I admire the level of appreciation you have for Angus Young, but you don't speak for the majority of AC/DC fans around the world. While I don't necessarily disagree with you, his popularity isn't necessarily a hallmark of world-class talent.
And where is the justification for that? And, if you please, don't rehash the same argument you've just provided.
You know what, you are just a waste of my time. Life is short, and you are wasting mine. Something is wrong with your head, you might need to get it checked. In conclusion, Angus Young is a great guitarist, no question, is he the best, no, Jimi Hendrix is probably, but seriously, you should get your head checked if you don't think all of the things that Angus Young does is impressive.
Yeah, look, I'm all for keeping this civil. But if you're going to be an ass, at least take lessons from someone who can do it in a clever way.
Otherwise, spare me the "lol u r just a waste of my time" dismissal that has become as contrived as any of AC/DC's riffs.
So because I disagree with you, something's wrong with my head? Because, by your own words, "I don't think all of the things Angus Young does is impressive," I'm insane or retarded? That's enough to warrant a couple of eye rolls.
Stop taking this personal. No one's being mean to you. I'm just pointing out that you've not been very persuasive as to why I should be in awe of Angus Young.
i'd have to agree with this...the hype surrounding the new album is a bit ridiculous. even more so given that it sounds exactly like any other AC/DC album.
it does bring up another aspect of the debate though. why are riff makers ever really considered up there with the best lead guitarists. obviously not in terms of technical ability but in terms of emotive ability and writing ability.
for example is James Hetfield better than Kirk Hammet? again, not on technical skill but on what their respective playing gives to the audience. i chose Metallica as an example as they're known, predominantly, for their great riffs.
It extends to television, too, but that's an entirely different discussion for an entirely different forum.
The only reason that Black Ice sold what it did is because it's AC/DC. I bet half of the people didn't actually listen to the whole album before popping in Back In Black.
Yeah, Guns N Roses is another touchy subject. I'm not a fan. Axl Rose's range is impressive, but he comes off as so incredibly whiney. I'm all for high tenors or countertenors in rock, but they have to apply their range appropriately to the song.
Not to mention that his antics are absurd. Slash's opening riff to "Sweet Child O' Mine" is notoriously catchy, though.
yeah his vocals do tend to be a love it or hate it type of thing.
the only other criticism i have of the new stuff is that it's over produced and the guitars seem as if they've all been written with the thought "how would Slash make it sound" in mind.
pretty much as he always did...i thought his voice would've taken a beating over the last few years but it doesn't seem that way...he can still reach the high notes.
like i say...it does sound over produced though...like they've packed in as much as possible.
Hard to pick just five...
My favorites are:
(In no particular order)
Jimi Hendrix
John Lee Hooker
Brian May
Marc Ford
Elmore James
Robert Johnson
Dimebag Darrell
Marc Knopfler
Trey Spruance
Dave Gilmour
Jim Martin
Jimmy Page
Both guitarists in the band "The Hoax"
James Hetfield
Slash
If I had to pick favorites 5 Definitively, the picks being players who combined would be the ultimate in all situations:
Hendrix (For imagination, groove and the killer soulful leads, not to mention showmanship, for occasions where that matters)
Dime (For all that, plus ultimate vicious brutality in tone and technique)
Slash (For the killer melodies, and neck-position-pick-up string bending wailing)
Hooker (while not exactly being virtuso had such flavour and his hypnotic rhythm playing is something else. I could drown in an ocean of that... You could just loop "Boom boom" for me forever and I'd be listening or playing all the way.)
Spruance (for those unfamilar with he, is there for real character and feel being in his playing whether he is playing death metal, chicken pickin', augmented or diminished jazz chords, smooth Steve-Cropper-like soul licks.... His rhythm skills are killer and his lead abilities to scream, sing, quirk, warble, wail the blues or wield smoothness like a chilled Wes Montgomery seals the deal for this virtuoso.)
Damn hard choices.
There are like fifty that I could name that have all captured my ear and attention over the years and most that have had some kind of influence on me over the years too. Those five definitely the most.
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Last edited by Sadako of Girth on Dec 17th, 2008 at 12:19 AM
I acknowledge that he and Clapton should be there along with Peter Green, Dick Dale, Hank Marvin and Albert Lee. Too late to edit now I guess. But Marc Ford represents Allman pretty well.
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Dec 16th, 2008 10:44 PM
