Tag: aerosmith (Page 1 of 2)

I think it’s safe to say that Aerosmith were on a roll right from the get go as their first six albums all went platinum. Released back in ’74, this was album number two and you can hear where the American Rolling Stones tag came from. You can split the band’s career in two parts, before and after the split. Before is my favourite period as I love that dirty blues rock n’ roll vibe. Sure, they made a ton of money after they reconciled and brought a whole bunch of outside writers in, but I think they lost their edge at that point.

There are three of my favourite Smith tunes on this record. First, The Same Old Song And Dance which only Aerosmith could have done. I love that sleaze barroom vibe, and the hook and chorus are huge. Lord Of The Thighs is my favourite song on the album. That jam band feel and groove is killer and that funk element really lets the song fly. Also, their version of Train Kept A Rollin is monster. When I was young and naive I actually thought it was their original composition.

Steven Tyler is one of the best frontmen out there, and I sure hope the band get to complete their farewell tour as they have consistently put out great records while putting a great amount of South America’s chemical stimulants into their bodies.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

The Aerosmith that no one talks about. The only Aero album not to have Joe Perry playing, also Brad Whitford left during this recording as well. So, a new guitar partnership was given a baptism of fire on this album.

This is not as bad as everyone makes out to be. In fact, it sounds about as Aerosmith as you could get. There are some killer tunes on this Aero disc. Opener Jailbait is a superb tune and is my favourite on the record. This has all the swagger and groove you would expect from the band, and Jimmy Crespo shows he’s no slouch either. Bolivian Ragamuffin has a killer sleazy groove with guitar to match. Tyler is just spitting out the lyrics in time to the beat, which sounds like a rap. The title track is the other song that really does it for me. Another monster sleazy riff and groove, and Tyler is so in his element here.

There is lots to enjoy here, don’t be put off by the naysayers.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

There is a whole generation of rockers who think Aerosmith were nothing before Permanent Vacation, and the introduction of outside writers to make them chart heroes. To me, the new Aerosmith is a completely different band to the one that recorded this masterpiece. 1976 this was unleashed on the world, and it was their fourth full length album. Of course, the chemical intake was nearly at its peak and would cause the toxic twins to go separate ways a couple of albums later. Despite that, they still managed to record what many people think is their best record.

Side 1 starts with Back In The Saddle, an all time classic Aero tune and that’s followed by Last Child, which is probably Brad Whitford’s best contribution song-wise. Then we get the souped up groove of Rats In The Cellar, the band at their rockin’ best. Combination closes out Side 1.

Side 2 is just as good with Sick As A Dog, Nobody’s Fault, the ripping Get The Lead Out Nobody’s Fault, and Lick And A Promise. All killer Aerosmith classics that have kept them in drugs and booze for many years. They took what the Stones and the Beatles did and blended the sound together with added attitude, and ran with it. Great band and album.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

This album, and the single with Run DMC of Walk This Way, were responsible for the rebirth of America’s favourite rock band. After the split with Joe Perry, who went off to do his solo project, Tyler carried on with Aerosmith. Both failed to live up to previous glories so they buried their respective hatchets and managed to get a new deal with Geffen.

The first album of the comeback was Done With Mirrors. It’s not a bad album at all, it just didn’t sell a whole bunch. So this album became a do-or-die moment. There was an introduction of outside writers, namely Desmond Child, Jim Vallance, and Holly Knight that injected some life into the songs. It seemed to work as Rag Doll, the amazing Dude Looks Like A Lady, and Angel, were all huge hits for the band and Aerosmith’s rebirth was complete.

There are still nods to the Aerosmith of old song wise with Girl Keeps Coming Apart, which was a Tyler/Perry composition and it’s one of my favourites from the album. It was good to have them back because as a live act they are pure entertainment, and the album after this (Pump) was even more successful. Great record!

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.