Aerosmith

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Aerosmith

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After two decades of not being quite sure what my opinion of Aerosmith was, I finally broke down and bought this CD two weeks ago.

I can't stop listening to it.

There are some odd things here--for example, how come "Make It" is so good, even though Joe Perry's guitar solo is not quite in tune and is totally out of time? Is he playing along with a different song? And who did the lousy overdubbed lead guitar on "Somebody"? It's played bad and edited even worse. And what's with the goofy intro to the great "Walkin' The Dog"?

The real revalation, after years of hearing nothing but talk of coke addictions and internal squabbling associated with Aerosmith, is how fun and downright optimistic this band can be. "Make It," "Dream On," even "Mama Kin," all sound to me like declarations of independence and musical freedom from Steven Tyler. In it's best moments, this album doesn't just rock; it SWINGS.

"Dream On" is pure magic--and inspired, too, because there is nothing else here with the same level of musical sophistication--and it hasn't been rendered impotent by radio overkill the way that contemporaries like "Stairway To Heaven" or "Smoke On The Water" were.

I'm shocked to find that this record is carried NOT by Joe Perry--most gorups of the genre lean so heavily on lead guitarists--but by by bassist Tom Hamilton and (I spent years trying to avoid saying these words) the GREAT Steven Tyler.

I've spent two weeks listening to this, two weeks searching for the word to describe Tylers vocals, and I keep coming back to my initial adjective: MUSCULAR.

My god the guy can sing. He makes me feel strong and macho just listening to him. Trust me, that's saying a lot.

I loved the Rocks LP years ago, but even that album didn't display the guys throat like this CD. He could do ANYTHING at this point, and they were fresh off the bar circuit. He was what--20?--and gave Jagger a run for his money, right out of the box.

I hate to admit it, but you can now count me among the Aerosmith clan.

Rats.

The average listener really doesnt know Aerosmiths debut album. Hell, few average listeners know classic early 70's Aerosmith to began with. But even the most commercial music fan who likes Jamies Got a Gun, Love In An Elevator, Dude, or Rag Doll is aware of some of the hits off the bands early records, this album however is devoid of airplay aside from one major song and maybe a little bit of another. Those bring Dream On and Mama Kin. But is their debut any good? Most call it uneven but AS fans even hard rock fans at least find a few gems on this debut album.

The truth is, it is a great album. There arent many stand out cuts on it. It's more of an album you play the whole way through. Make It, Somebody, One Way Street and Write Me are all competant rock songs, infused with that youthful energy and Stones-ish swagger. These guys definatly know what they're doing. Aerosmith were one of the most important bands of the 70's. Along with Zeppelin, Sabbath, the Who and Alice Cooper they started the idea of "album rock", songs that generally werent big singles but were so good, they warranted airplay for longer tracks, this of course mainly being served up on what was at the time the underground FM radio. This first album finds the boys out of Boston, trying to find their sound, sure it's underdeveloped but theres hints of what would become in not too long. Movin' Out has a famaliar riff and is a good song as well, but its the final song, a cover of Rufas Thomas' Walkin The Dog that really cooks. Previously done by the Stones (no surprise there), Aerosmith really brings the whole album together with this rocklicking barn burner.

As with most debut albums, there's always the band trying to find what theyre looking for, laying down those tracks they had been playing in smokey bars and clubs for the last year. Mama Kin is of course the energetic rocker that a few years later would finally become a recognizable track but it was Dream On that was the albums major sell point. Of course when released in early 72, it wasnt a hit. Most people dont realize it wasnt until around late 75/early 76 the song was re-released after the band were superstars and become one of thier staple tracks, it was actually on their debut. While Aerosmith is often cited as a major influence on the birth of American heavy metal, that MIGHT be so, but the band was way more steeped in the blues and Stones' style party till you die swaggering to be considered in along with Ozzy and the boys. This album may not appeal to everyone but for those curious as to where Aerosmith got their start, and a great slice of early 70's American rock n roll, check this record out.