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List Price: $9.99 | | Label: Sony
Salesrank: 8214
Released: July 1, 2003 |
| Our Price: $6.79 |
| Used Price: $6.27 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Fly on the Wall Track Listing:
1. Fly on the Wall
2. Shake Your Foundations
3. First Blood
4. Danger
5. Sink the Pink
6. Playing with Girls
7. Stand Up
8. Hell or High Water
9. Back in Business
10. Send for the Man
Fly on the Wall Reviews:
Soldiering on During the Dreary 80s 
2009-10-31 - Many hard rock acts who had been big during the 70s had a rough patch commercially during the 80s, with a few exceptions. Many bands found their commercial stance slipping, and either faded from the spotlight, broke up, or resorted to conforming to the now-dated 80s sound of technology-induced sterility (even greats like Cheap Trick, ELO, Kansas, and the Kinks succumbed to the synthesizer).
But not AC/DC. True, by 1985 their records weren't steamrolling down the fans like "Back in Black" had five years prior, but their sales were slipping. Not enough to cause record execs at Atlantic to drop them or force in "hip" outside songwriters, as was the case with many bands, but enough for even the band themselves to notice.
That's what makes "Fly on the Wall," AC/DC's 1985 effort, so special. Aside from also having killer chords, distinguishing riffs, and Brian Johnson's piercing vocals, the album was released smack dab in the middle of the 80s, a time when synthesizers and hairspray were dominating MTV, the radio, and the concert arena (though the "thunder from down under" did maintain a healthy concert draw status even in this era). The quality on "Fly on the Wall" exceeds that of the previous album, 1983's "Flick of the Switch." Not that "Flick" had been a bad album, but the material wasn't as memorable or strong as this record. New drummer Simon Wright's presence was clear, but not too apparent as to make a drastic departure in AC/DC's formulaic hard rock sound.
The only mention Rolling Stone gave of this album was a bizarre, ranting half-praise/half-disdain review of several hard rock/heavy metal acts in one column, and the album peaked at #32 in the US (which was far better than what some of AC/DC's sliding counterparts were achieving in 1985). Nonetheless, there's not a trace of that dated 80s sound on "Fly on the Wall," and there's enough muscular material to make it one of AC/DC's often overlooked gems. The title track, 'Sink the Pink,' 'First Blood,' and 'Sink the Pink' are strong and dare I say memorable, and the meaty anthem 'Hell or High Water' should have been as revered as their other classic, 'For Those About to Rock...'
"Fly on the Wall" is a crunching, screaming, blistering jewel from the middle of one of the most dismal decades for rock and roll.
SINK THE PINK 
2009-10-12 - yeah most ACDC albums sound the same, but they are so good at it.this is also another one of the ACDC releases that really benifited from remastering.DANGER is one of the few slow songs done with brian johnson.the rest of the cd just rocks (acdc rock)
You want talent? I'll give ya talent!!
2009-10-04 - This album kicks complete and thorough ass. The opening title track, Fly on the Wall, is amazing with its oh so heavy, A, D and G chords pounding out in hard, distorted, yet somehow, perfectly metrical and concise fashion. The way only Angus and Malcolm Young can make power chords sound. They take an ordinary chord or three and just make 'em sound so damn good!
It's like someone once said about Coach Bear Bryant....he could beat you with his players....then take your players and beat you while you were coaching HIS players. Well, AC DC can take guitar chords that every other band plays....and beat all of them at it because they are masters of the hard, bluesy, distorted power chord. What truly makes them masters is the way they construct them upon one another.....if you're a guitarist....you'll get extra appreciation of it. But I digress....on to the rest of the CD.
Shake your foundations- great main riff, catchy tune and chorus. Other highlights on the album include, of course, Sink the Pink, Back in Business, and Stand Up. This album has more reverb and the guitars sound extra heavy and loud compared to some other ACDC efforts.
I wish the new Black Ice would have had as crunchy and heavy sounding guitar as Fly. Four stars because there are 2 or so filler songs....but the pure listening pleasure you get from the very good songs which are indeed present on this album....more than make up for a weak song or two.
Even AC/DC Can Have A Bad Day 
2009-05-23 - It's definitely not some of their best work. I only listen to it once in a while and a lot of times I stop half way through. They just weren't quite "on" when they produced this work.
The not so bad "worst" AC/DC album
2009-03-07 - 1985's Fly On The Wall finds the band creating quite an odd production sound, in a time when new wave and hair bands were ruling, the group throw this out for anyone that was listening to real balls out rock and roll. Drummer Phil Rudd exited the group and was replaced with Dio drummer Simon Wright here. Interestingly enough a lot of hardcore fans enjoy this album and I do as well, I find it more enjoyable than FTATR and Flick. The opening/title track was always something of an addictive rocker as was it's follow up track Shake Your Foundations which is probably AC/DCs best song from until Thunderstruck appeared in 1991. First Blood and Danger have the hooks just big and dumb enough to get past but one of the major highlights here is Sink The Pink, which is lyrically one of the bands best songs during this era. Playing With Girls, Back In Business, Stand Up, and Send For The Man are all decent songs as well, while Hell Or High Water has a cool drum intro unique for the group. Funny enough this is considered the bands weakest album, even more so than Flick. However consistency wise it's more enjoyable than Flick or it's predecessor. Of course AC/DC couldn't fire up the pot like they could on Back In Black, but recylcing the same formula isnt always a bad thing. Most popular music from this time is looked back upon these days as seeking major mainstream acceptance with synths, ballads, and slick videos with the most ridiculously flamboyant hair do's and clothes, so kudos to the band staying true to something no matter how reused it is. Historians need remember true rock n roll for what it was and this album no matter how "weak" or "undeverloped" it's circle members label it, stays true to the ideals of a fun, loud, rock band.
