What makes Shake Your Foundations by AC/DC notable?

Shake Your Foundations was significant for its chart performance, reaching the top ten in several countries, including Australia and the UK. The album is often noted for further solidifying AC/DC's presence in the hard rock genre during the mid-1980s, contributing to their legacy as arena rock icons. Released in 1985, Shake Your Foundations marked AC/DC's first album following the departure of longtime producer Mutt Lange. The band was navigating a new phase after the critical success of their previous album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, and sought to maintain their commercial momentum while experimenting with their sound.

How many songs are on Shake Your Foundations?

Shake Your Foundations has 2 tracks, running approximately 7 minutes.

Shake Your Foundations

AC/DC · 1985

7 min · 2 tracks · hard rock

Electric riffs surge through stomping rhythms, delivering an unapologetic anthem of rock and roll energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Shake Your Foundations — The title track epitomizes AC/DC's energetic style with its infectious hooks and driving beat, serving as a rallying cry for fans.
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Stand Up — This track showcases a more anthemic quality, with lyrics that encourage empowerment and resilience, reflecting the band's signature themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The record showcases solid hard rock elements but doesn't significantly innovate within the genre.

What we noticed

The title track features a driving guitar riff that is consistent throughout, with a steady tempo that emphasizes the rhythm section.
The second track introduces a more melodic chorus, contrasting with the aggressive verses while maintaining the same hard rock energy.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked a significant moment in AC/DC's career post-Mutt Lange, solidifying their reputation.
Themes: 1980s rock rebellion· powerful guitar riffs· hard-hitting anthems
Career context: Released in 1985, Shake Your Foundations marked AC/DC's first album following the departure of longtime producer Mutt Lange. The band was navigating a new phase after the critical success of their previous album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, and sought to maintain their commercial momentum while experimenting with their sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Guns N' Roses· Aerosmith