The untimely death of original frontman Bon Scott in 1980 could have sealed the fate of a lesser band, but AC/DC wasted no time in recruiting new frontman Brian Johnson and barrelling forth with what many admirers consider its best album. Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange gave the Aussie quintet's signature raunch a touch of polish but also more punch than it had ever exhibited before in the studio, while monster hits like "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Hell's Bells" still sound as fresh and thrilling as they did upon delivery in July of 1980 - a mere five months after Scott's passing - despite years of round-the-clock abuse on rock radio. One of the finest rock 'n' roll records of all time, period.

First listen: