AC/DC, Black IceSony BMG

Few things are immutable in this crazy mixed-up world anymore, but an AC/DC album ought be one of them. Their refusal to change an awesomely successful and ostensibly simple formula is their greatest strength. Fans know what to expect. With three songs including the phrase "rock'n'roll" in their titles, Black Icewas never going to be an introspective soundscape replete with strings or addressing the great issues of mortality or the state of the world.

Nevertheless, and within the tight constraints of the musical formula that has served them so well in the past, AC/DC have done something different.

The change is apparent in Anything Goes, a song that Born in the USA-era Springsteen might have written - it could fill a dance floor and even be a breakout hit. The slide guitar on Stormy May Dayis another first, and so effective that you wonder what kind of guitar player Ångus Young could have been had he been a little more adventurous. There is also a real ballad. Rock'n'Roll Dreambegins with growling guitars and is quite unlike anything AC/DC did in the Brian Johnson era.

Among the conventional tracks are several stone bankers. The opening track Rock'n'Roll Trainproves that nobody can pull off the three-chord trick like AC/DC. War Machinewill become a standard.

In an album with 15 songs, there are bound to be a few fillers. Spoilin' for a Fight, Skies on Fireand Smash'n'Grabare AC/DC on autopilot, but there are fewer bad songs and more good ones than on any album AC/DC has produced since Back in Black.

The true test will come when the band take to the road. How many of these songs will make it into a set that needs no additions? There are at least half a dozen contenders, a very good return. Ergo, Black Iceis a very good return to form.

www.acdc.com

RONAN MCGREEVY

Download tracks: Anything Goes, Stormy May Day, Rock'n'Roll Train, War Machine