Is Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap a good place to start with AC/DC?

Yes, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is recommended as a starting point for new AC/DC listeners. Raucous, high-voltage rock anthems collide with cheeky humor and gritty blues-infused riffs that define hard rock's rebellious spirit. Released in January 1976, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap was AC/DC's third studio album and followed their breakthrough with High Voltage. At this point, the band had established a growing international presence, particularly in Australia and the UK, setting the stage for their eventual global domination.

Who is Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap for?

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap works well if you're into raucous sing-alongs with friends, wave-like pacing with energy shifts and youthful rebellion and carefree attitude.

How many songs are on Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap?

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap has 9 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

AC/DC · 1976

42 min · 9 tracks · hard rock

Raucous, high-voltage rock anthems collide with cheeky humor and gritty blues-infused riffs that define hard rock's rebellious spirit.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap Start here — The title track showcases AC/DC's signature sound with catchy hooks and playful lyrics about underhanded dealings, encapsulating their cheeky attitude.
→
Problem Child — This track highlights the band's knack for storytelling through energetic riffs and rebellious lyrics, making it an anthem for misfits.
→
Ride On — A slower, more reflective piece that stands out for its emotional depth, contrasting sharply with the album’s otherwise raucous tone.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album combines catchy riffs with humor and energy, solidifying AC/DC's hard rock identity.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy title track that sets a raucous tone, followed by tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
Several songs feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the anthemic quality and encouraging audience participation.
The last two tracks, 'Ride On' and 'Jailbreak', shift to a slower tempo, providing a contrast to the preceding high-energy songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

raucous sing-alongs with friends
wave-like pacing with energy shifts
youthful rebellion and carefree attitude
late-night party ignition tracks

Maybe skip if you

prefer mellow, introspective sounds
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified AC/DC's reputation in hard rock after their earlier success.
Themes: blue-collar mischief· Australian rock scene
Career context: Released in January 1976, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap was AC/DC's third studio album and followed their breakthrough with High Voltage. At this point, the band had established a growing international presence, particularly in Australia and the UK, setting the stage for their eventual global domination.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Guns N' Roses· Aerosmith