Aerosmith | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Aerosmith were one of the most popular hard rock bands of the 70s, setting the style and sound of hard rock and heavy metal for the next two decades with their raunchy, bluesy swagger. The Boston-based quintet found the middle ground between the menace of the Rolling Stones and the campy, sleazy flamboyance of the New York Dolls, developing a lean, dirty riff-oriented boogie that was loose and swinging and as hard as a diamond. In the meantime, they developed a prototype for power ballads with "Dream On," a piano ballad that was orchestrated with strings and distorted guitars. Aerosmiths ability to pull off both ballads and rock & roll made them extremely popular during the mid-70s, when they had a string of gold and platinum albums. By the early 80s, the groups audience had declined as the band fell prey to drug and alcohol abuse. However, their career was far from over -- in the late 80s, Aerosmith pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in rock history, returning to the top of the charts with a group of albums that equaled, if not surpassed, the popularity of their 70s albums. In 1970, the first incarnation of Aerosmith formed when vocalist Steven Tyler met guitarist Joe Perry while working at a Sunapee, New Hampshire, ice cream parlor. Tyler, who originally was a drummer, and Perry decided to form a power trio with bassist Tom Hamilton. The group soon expanded to a quartet, adding a second guitarist called Ray Tabano; he was quickly replaced by Brad Whitford, a former member of Earth Inc. With the addition of drummer Joey Kramer, Tyler became the full-time lead singer by the end of year. Aerosmith relocated to Boston at the end of 1970. After playing clubs in the Massachusetts and New York areas for two years, the group landed a record contract with Columbia Records in 1972. Aerosmiths self-titled debut album was released in the fall of 1973, climbing to number 166. "Dream On" was released as the first single and it was a minor hit, reaching number 59. For the next year, the band built a fan base by touring America, supporting groups as diverse as the Kinks, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Sha Na Na, and Mott the Hoople. The performance of Get Your Wings (1974), the groups second album and the first produced by Jack Douglas, benefited from their constant touring, spending a total of 86 weeks on the chart. Aerosmiths third record, 1975s Toys in the Attic, was their breakthrough album both commercially and artistically. By the time it was recorded, the bands sound had developed into a sleek, hard-driving hard rock powered by simple, almost brutal, blues-based riffs. Many critics at the time labeled the group as punk rockers, and its easy to see why -- instead of adhering to the world music pretensions of Led Zeppelin or the prolonged gloomy mysticism of Black Sabbath, Aerosmith stripped heavy metal to its basic core, spitting out spare riffs that not only rocked, but rolled. Steven Tylers lyrics were filled with double entendres and clever jokes, and the entire band had a streetwise charisma that separated it from the heavy, lumbering arena rockers of the era. Toys in the Attic captured the essence of the newly invigorated Aerosmith. "Sweet Emotion," the first single from Toys in the Attic, broke into the Top 40 in the summer of 1975, with the album reaching number 11 shortly afterward. Its success prompted the re-release of the power ballad "Dream On," which shot into the Top Ten in early 1976. Both Aerosmith and Get Your Wings climbed back up the charts in the wake of Toys in the Attic. "Walk This Way," the final single from Toys in the Attic, was released around the time of the groups new 1976 album, Rocks. Although it didnt feature a Top Ten hit like "Walk This Way," Rocks went platinum quickly, peaking at number three. In early 1977, Aerosmith took a break and prepared material for their fifth album. Released late in 1977, Draw the Line was another hit, climbing to number 11 on the U.S. charts, but it showed signs of exhaustion. In addition to another tour in 1978, the band appeared in the movie Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, performing "Come Together," which eventually became a number 23 hit. Live! Bootleg appeared late in 1978 and became another success, reaching number 13. Aerosmith recorded Night in the Ruts in 1979, releasing the record at the end of the year. By the time of its release, Joe Perry had left the band to form the Joe Perry Project. Night in the Ruts performed respectably, climbing to number 14 and going gold, yet it was the least successful Aerosmith record to date. Brad Whitford left the group in early 1980, forming the Whitsford-St. Holmes Band with former Ted Nugent guitarist Derek St. Holmes. As Aerosmith regrouped with new guitarists Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay, the band released Aerosmiths Greatest Hits in late 1980; the record would eventually sell over six million copies. The new lineup of Aerosmith released Rock in a Hard Place in 1982. Peaking at number 32, it failed to match the performance of Night in the Ruts. Perry and Whitford returned to the band in 1984 and the group began a reunion tour dubbed Back in the Saddle. Early in the tour, Tyler collapsed on-stage, offering proof that the bandmembers hadnt conquered their notorious drug and alcohol addictions. The following year, Aerosmith released Done with Mirrors, the original lineups first record since 1979 and their first for Geffen Records. Although it didnt perform as well as Rock in a Hard Place, the album showed that the band was revitalized. After the release of Done with Mirrors, Tyler and Perry completed rehabilitation programs. In 1986, the pair appeared on Run-D.M.C.s cover of "Walk This Way," along with appearing in the video. "Walk This Way" became a hit, reaching number four and receiving saturation airplay on MTV. "Walk This Way" set the stage for the bands full-scale comeback effort, the Bruce Fairbairn-produced Permanent Vacation (1987). Tyler and Perry collaborated with professional hard rock songwriters like Holly Knight and Desmond Child, resulting in the hits "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)," "Rag Doll," and "Angel." Permanent Vacation peaked at number 11 and sold over three million copies. Pump, released in 1989, continued the bands winning streak, reaching number five, selling over four million copies, and spawning the Top Ten singles "Love in an Elevator," "Janies Got a Gun," and "What It Takes." Aerosmith released Get a Grip in 1993. Like Permanent Vacation and Pump, Get a Grip was produced by Bruce Fairbairn and featured significant contributions by professional songwriters. The album was as successful as the bands previous two records, featuring the hit singles "Livin on the Edge," "Cryin," and "Amazing." In 1994, Aerosmith released Big Ones, a compilation of hits from their Geffen years that fulfilled their contract with the label; it went double platinum shortly after its release. While Aerosmith was at the height of their revitalized popularity in the early 90s, the group signed a lucrative multi-million dollar contract with Columbia Records, even though they still owed Geffen two albums. It wasnt until 1995 that the band was able to begin working on their first record under the new contract -- nearly five years after the contract was signed. The making of Aerosmith albums usually had been difficult affairs, but the recording of Nine Lives was plagued with bad luck. The band went through a number of producers and songwriters before settling on Kevin Shirley in 1996. More damaging, however, was the dismissal of the bands manager, Tim Collins, whod been responsible for bringing the band back from the brink of addiction. Upon his firing, Collins insinuated that Steven Tyler was using hard drugs again, an allegation that Aerosmith adamantly denied. Under such circumstances, recording became quite difficult, and when Nine Lives finally appeared in the spring of 1997, it was greeted with great anticipation, yet the initial reviews were mixed and even though album debuted at number one, it quickly fell down the charts. The live A Little South of Sanity followed in 1998. Three years later, Aerosmith strutted their stuff on the Super Bowl halftime special on CBS with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Nelly, *NSYNC, and Britney Spears, just prior to issuing their heart-stomping Just Push Play in March 2001. Next up for the band was a blues album, Honkin on Bobo, released in 2004, along with two live album/DVDs, You Gotta Move and Rockin the Joint. Another greatest-hits collection, Devils Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith arrived in 2006. From there, Aerosmith entered a period of volatility. A world tour followed in 2007 and the group attempted to record a new studio album with producer Brendan OBrien but the sessions were never finalized. Instead, another tour followed in 2009, this time a supporting jaunt for Aerosmiths own special edition of the Guitar Hero video game. This tour proved to be ill-fated, with Steven Tyler suffering a leg injury in June, then falling off the stage in August, leading to the cancellation of the subsequent dates. As 2009 came to a close, Joe Perry released a solo album called Have Guitar, Will Travel as Tyler announced that he was planning on "working on the brand of myself," which included working on an autobiography and a solo album, along with a stint in rehab to wean himself off painkillers prescribed due to his stage injuries. Before Tyler embarked on solo projects, he returned to the band for a series of concerts in 2010, in the midst of which it was announced that the singer would be a new judge on the televised singing competition American Idol. Perry voiced his dissatisfaction in the press but Tylers time on American Idol helped raise the bands profile, while providing a platform for Tylers memoir, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You? The book performed better than his two solo singles -- 2010s "Love Lives" and 2011s "(It) Feels So Good" -- singles that did not wind up signaling his departure from Aerosmith. Tyler continued to tour with the band and in 2011 they recorded a new album with producer Jack Douglas, the man who helmed their classic 70s LPs. Originally scheduled for release in summer of 2012, Music from Another Dimension! wound up being pushed back to that years holiday season, by which time Tyler had departed his judgeship on American Idol. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 33 Title: Aerosmith Released: 1973-01 Tracks: 8 Duration: 35:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Make It (03:40) 2 Somebody (03:45) 3 Dream On (04:27) 4 One Way Street (07:02) 5 Mama Kin (04:27) 6 Write Me a Letter (04:12) 7 Movin’ Out (05:02) 8 Walkin’ the Dog (03:12) |
| Aerosmith : Allmusic album Review : In retrospect, its a bit shocking how fully formed the signature Aerosmith sound was on their self-titled 1973 debut -- which may not be the same thing as best-executed, because this album still sounds like a first album, complete with the typical stumbles and haziness that comes with a debut. Despite all this, Aerosmith clearly showcases all the attributes of the band that would become the defining American hard rock band of the 70s. Here, the Stones influences are readily apparent, from the Jagger-esque phrasing of Steven Tyler to the groups high-octane boogie, but the group displays little of the Stones deep love of blues here. Instead, Aerosmith is bloozy -- their riffs dont swing, they slide. They borrow liberally from Led Zeppelins hybridization of Chess and Sun riffs without ever sounding much like Zep. They are never as British as Zeppelin -- they lack the delicate folky preciousness, they lack the obsession with blues authenticity, they lack the larger-than-life persona of so many Brit bands. They are truly an American band, sounding as though they were the best bar band in your local town, cranking out nasty hard-edged rock, best heard on "Mama Kin," the best rocker here, one thats so greasy it nearly slips through their fingers. But the early masterpiece is, of course, "Dream On," the first full-fledged power ballad. There was nothing quite like it in 1973, and it remains the blueprint for all power ballads since. The rest of the record contains the seeds of Aerosmiths sleazoid blues-rock, but they wouldnt quite perfect that sound until the next time around. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 33 Title: Get Your Wings Released: 1974-03-01 Tracks: 8 Duration: 38:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Same Old Song and Dance (03:53) 2 Lord of the Thighs (04:14) 3 Spaced (04:21) 4 Woman of the World (05:49) 5 S.O.S. (Too Bad) (02:51) 6 Train Kept a Rollin (06:05) 7 Seasons of Wither (05:38) 8 Pandora’s Box (05:43) |
| Get Your Wings : Allmusic album Review : Often overshadowed by the subsequent twin highlights of Toys in the Attic and Rocks, Aerosmiths 1974 second album, Get Your Wings, is where Aerosmith became Aerosmith -- its where they teamed up with producer Jack Douglas, its where they shed much of their influences and developed their own trademark sound, its where they turned into songwriters, its where Steven Tyler unveiled his signature obsessions with sex and sleaze. Chief among these attributes may be Douglas, who either helped the band ease into the studio or captured their sound in a way their debut never did. This is a leaner, harder album, bathed in grease and layered in grit, but its not just down to Douglas. The band itself sounds more distinctive. There are blues in Joe Perry and Joey Kramers interplay, but this leapfrogs over blues-rock; it turns into slippery hard rock. To be sure, its still easy to hear the Stones here, but they never really sound Stonesy; theres almost more of the Yardbirds to the way the group works the riffs, particularly evident on the cover of the early Birds classic "The Train Kept a Rollin." But if the Yardbirds were tight and nervy, Aerosmith is blown out and loose, the sound of excess incarnate -- that is, in every way but the writing itself, which is confident and strong, fueled by Tylers gonzo sex drive. He is the "Lord of the Thighs," playing that "Same Old Song and Dance," but he also slows down enough for the eerie "Seasons of Wither," a powerful slow-churning ballad whose mastery of atmosphere is a good indication of how far the band has grown. They never attempted anything quite so creepy on their debut, but it isnt just that Aerosmith is trying newer things on Get Your Wings, its that theyre doing their bloozy bluster better and bolder, which is what turns this sophomore effort into their first classic. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 33 Title: Toys in the Attic Released: 1975-04-08 Tracks: 9 Duration: 37:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Toys in the Attic (03:06) 2 Uncle Salty (04:09) 3 Adam’s Apple (04:34) 4 Walk This Way (03:41) 5 Big Ten Inch Record (02:15) 6 Sweet Emotion (04:34) 7 No More No More (04:34) 8 Round and Round (05:03) 9 You See Me Crying (05:11) |
| Toys in the Attic : Allmusic album Review : After nearly getting off the ground with Get Your Wings, Aerosmith finally perfected their mix of Stonesy raunch and Zeppelin-esque riffing with their third album, Toys in the Attic. The success of the album derives from a combination of an increased sense of songwriting skills and purpose. Not only does Joe Perry turn out indelible riffs like "Walk This Way," "Toys in the Attic," and "Sweet Emotion," but Steven Tyler has fully embraced sleaziness as his artistic muse. Taking his cue from the old dirty blues "Big Ten Inch Record," Tyler writes with a gleeful impishness about sex throughout Toys in the Attic, whether its the teenage heavy petting of "Walk This Way," the promiscuous "Sweet Emotion," or the double-entendres of "Uncle Salty" and "Adams Apple." The rest of Aerosmith, led by Perrys dirty, exaggerated riffing, provide an appropriately greasy backing. Before Toys in the Attic, no other hard rock band sounded like this. Sure, Aerosmith cribbed heavily from the records of the Rolling Stones, New York Dolls, and Led Zeppelin, but they didnt have any of the menace of their influences, nor any of their mystique. Aerosmith was a gritty, street-wise hard rock band who played their blues as blooze and were in it for a good time; Toys in the Attic crystallizes that attitude. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 33 Title: Rocks Released: 1976 Tracks: 9 Duration: 34:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Back in the Saddle (04:40) 2 Last Child (03:26) 3 Rats in the Cellar (04:06) 4 Combination (03:40) 5 Sick as a Dog (04:12) 6 Nobody’s Fault (04:23) 7 Get the Lead Out (03:41) 8 Lick and a Promise (03:05) 9 Home Tonight (03:16) |
| Rocks : Allmusic album Review : Few albums have been so appropriately named as Aerosmiths 1976 classic Rocks. Despite hard drug use escalating among bandmembers, Aerosmith produced a superb follow-up to their masterwork Toys in the Attic, nearly topping it in the process. Many Aero fans will point to Toys as the bands quintessential album (it contained two radio/concert standards after all, "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion"), but out of all their albums, Rocks did the best job of capturing Aerosmith at their most raw and rocking. Like its predecessor, a pair of songs have become their most renowned -- the menacing, hard rock, cowboy-stomper "Back in the Saddle," as well as the downright viscous funk groove of "Last Child." Again, even the lesser-known tracks prove essential to the makeup of the album, such as the stimulated "Rats in the Cellar" (a response of sorts to "Toys in the Attic"), the Stonesy "Combination," and the forgotten riff-rocker "Get the Lead Out." Also included is the apocalyptic "Nobodys Fault," the up-and-coming rock star tale of "Lick and a Promise," and the album-closing ballad "Home Tonight." With Rocks, Aerosmith appeared to be indestructible. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 33 Title: Draw the Line Released: 1977-12-01 Tracks: 9 Duration: 35:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Draw the Line (03:23) 2 I Wanna Know Why (03:08) 3 Critical Mass (04:51) 4 Get It Up (04:01) 5 Bright Light Fright (02:19) 6 Kings and Queens (04:53) 7 The Hand That Feeds (04:21) 8 Sight for Sore Eyes (03:51) 9 Milk Cow Blues (04:11) |
| Draw the Line : Allmusic album Review : Renting out an abandoned convent on the outskirts of New York City to record the follow-up to the hellacious Rocks may not have been the best idea, but 1977s Draw the Line still managed to be another down-and-dirty Aerosmith release. While it wasnt as awe-inspiring as their last two albums -- the members have said that the music suddenly got "cloudy" around this time (due to in-band fighting/ego clashes, excessive living, etc.), Draw the Line catches fire more times than not. Unlike their most recent album successes, the band shies away from studio experimenting and dabbling in different styles; instead they return to simple, straight-ahead hard rock. The album-opening title track features a gloriously abrasive Joe Perry slide guitar riff and has been featured in concert ever since, while the punk-esque "Bright Light Fright" featured Perrys first ever lead vocal spot on an Aerosmith record. Other highlights include a reworking of the blues obscurity "Milk Cow Blues," which Perrys pre-Aerosmith group, the Jam Band, played live, as well as "I Wanna Know Why," "Critical Mass," "Get It Up," "Kings and Queens," and "Sight for Sore Eyes." Draw the Line would turn out to be the last true studio album from Aerosmiths original lineup for nearly a decade. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 33 Title: Night in the Ruts Released: 1979-11-01 Tracks: 9 Duration: 35:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 No Surprize (04:27) 2 Chiquita (04:26) 3 Remember (Walking in the Sand) (04:05) 4 Cheese Cake (04:16) 5 Three Mile Smile (03:42) 6 Reefer Head Woman (04:02) 7 Bone to Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy) (02:59) 8 Think About It (03:35) 9 Mia (04:14) |
| Night in the Ruts : Allmusic album Review : By the time Aerosmiths sixth studio release was issued, 1979s Night in the Ruts, guitarist Joe Perry had finally left the band after years of drug-fueled bickering with singer Steven Tyler (forming the Joe Perry Project by years end). Most of the tracks were completed before Perrys departure, with replacement Jimmy Crespo filling the few empty spaces. And while the band looks back upon this period as hazy and frustrating, Night in the Ruts is a surprisingly coherent and inspired album. Although its not up to par with such classics as Toys in the Attic or Rocks (although it could have been if the band werent in such a state of turmoil at the time), it was definitely leaner and more focused than their last studio release, Draw the Line. Highlights include the striking opening rocker, "No Surprize," which recounts the bands early history, as well the driving yet melodic "Chiquita," the jamming "Three Mile Smile," the furious "Bone to Bone," and a pair of covers -- the Yardbirds "Think About It" and the novelty number "Reefer Head Woman." The only lowlight is a weak cover of the Shangri-Las "Remember (Walking in the Sand)," which was inexplicably issued as a single and included on 1980s Greatest Hits. While the album performed respectfully on the charts, the ensuing tour did little to boost sales -- it was marred with canceled dates and lackluster performances brought on by Tylers substance abuse. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 33 Title: Aerosmith’s Greatest Hits Released: 1980-10 Tracks: 10 Duration: 37:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dream On (04:27) 2 Same Old Song and Dance (03:04) 3 Sweet Emotion (03:13) 4 Walk This Way (03:32) 5 Last Child (03:26) 6 Back in the Saddle (04:40) 7 Draw the Line (03:23) 8 Kings and Queens (03:49) 9 Come Together (03:45) 10 Remember (Walking in the Sand) (04:05) |
| Aerosmith’s Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : Aerosmiths Greatest Hits remains one of the most popular and enduring best-of collections by any rock band, selling nearly ten million copies in the U.S. alone since its release. But when it was issued in 1980, the band had just about reached its nadir. With original guitarist Joe Perry gone (and Brad Whitford soon to follow), Aerosmith had turned into a directionless, time-consuming ghost of its former self. Since there would be a three-year gap between 1979s Night in the Ruts and 1982s Rock in a Hard Place, Greatest Hits was assembled, more or less, to fill the void and buy the band some time. With the album clocking in at only 37 and a half minutes, many Aerosmith classics are not included, such as what many consider the bands quintessential track, their cover of "Train Kept a Rollin." The only poor selection is the forgettable "Remember (Walking in the Sand)," but nine out of ten are bona fide classics -- "Dream On," "Same Old Song and Dance," "Sweet Emotion," "Walk this Way," "Last Child," "Back in the Saddle," and "Draw the Line." Also featured is their venomous cover of the Beatles "Come Together," previously only available as a single and on the soundtrack to the 1978 movie Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. For the casual fan, Greatest Hits will do the job, as well as its sister album, 1988s Gems. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 33 Title: Rock in a Hard Place Released: 1982-08-01 Tracks: 10 Duration: 40:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Jailbait (04:40) 2 Lightning Strikes (04:26) 3 Bitch’s Brew (04:14) 4 Bolivian Ragamuffin (03:32) 5 Cry Me a River (04:06) 6 Prelude to Joanie (01:21) 7 Joanie’s Butterfly (05:36) 8 Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat) (04:45) 9 Jig Is Up (03:10) 10 Push Comes to Shove (04:27) |
| Rock in a Hard Place : Allmusic album Review : Rock in a Hard Place is the sound of Aerosmith at their most "out of it." Not to say its a horrible album by any means -- in fact, there are more than a few pleasant surprises -- but without the guitar team of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, it didnt possess the magical chemistry of their 70s classics. Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay filled in for the departed duo, and it turned out to be the groups most studio-enhanced and experimental record up to this point. To keep up with the then-current musical climate, vocoders and synthesizers can be subtly detected, as heard on the space-age "Prelude to Joanie" and in the beginning to the otherwise tough rocker "Lightning Strikes," which served as the albums lone single/video. "Jailbait," "Bitchs Brew," "Bolivian Ragamuffin," and the title track showed the band could still rock out despite their three-year layoff between albums, a cover of "Cry Me a River" showed their gentle side, while the psychedelicized "Joanies Butterfly" was the albums surprise highlight. But it didnt take an expert to know that Aerosmith was not the same after the loss of the aforementioned members. And so did the band, who welcomed Perry and Whitford back into its ranks two years after Rock in a Hard Place. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 33 Title: Done With Mirrors Released: 1985-11-09 Tracks: 9 Duration: 35:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Let the Music Do the Talking (03:48) 2 My Fist Your Face (04:23) 3 Shame on You (03:22) 4 The Reason a Dog (04:13) 5 Shela (04:25) 6 Gypsy Boots (04:16) 7 She’s on Fire (03:47) 8 The Hop (03:45) 9 Darkness (03:44) |
| Done With Mirrors : Allmusic album Review : Joe Perry returned to the fold in 1985, and Aerosmith turned out their finest record since Rocks. Unlike the records that preceded it, Done with Mirrors is powered by the same smart-assed lyrics and filthy guitars that formed the core of Aerosmiths best songs. It didnt receive the commercial or critical attention that Permanent Vacation did two years later, but Done With Mirrors is the better album; it marks the beginning of their remarkable comeback. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 33 Title: Permanent Vacation Released: 1987-03-25 Tracks: 12 Duration: 51:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Heart’s Done Time (04:43) 2 Magic Touch (04:37) 3 Rag Doll (04:25) 4 Simoriah (03:21) 5 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 6 St. John (04:09) 7 Hangman Jury (05:31) 8 Girl Keeps Coming Apart (04:13) 9 Angel (05:08) 10 Permanent Vacation (04:54) 11 I’m Down (02:19) 12 The Movie (03:59) |
| Permanent Vacation : Allmusic album Review : The much-ballyhooed reunion of the original Aerosmith lineup had pretty much fallen flat on its face after 1985s hit-and-miss Done With Mirrors. Realizing that the band simply couldnt do it alone, A&R; guru John Kalodner capitalized on the runaway success of Run-D.M.C.s cover of "Walk This Way" and decided to draft in the days top hired hands, including knob-twiddler extraordinaire Bruce Fairbairn and career-revitalizing song doctors Desmond Child and Jim Vallance. Together, they would help craft Permanent Vacation, the album which would reinvent Aerosmith as 80s and 90s superstars. Yet, despite the mostly stellar songwriting, which makes it a strong effort overall, some of the albums nooks and crannies havent aged all that well because of Fairbairns overwrought production, featuring an exaggerated sleekness typical of most mid-80s pop-metal albums. Furthermore, Desmond Childs pedantic writing often compromises the timeliness of even the best material. On the other hand, pre-fab radio gems like "Rag Doll" and "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" remain largely unassailable from a "delivering the goods" perspective. But remember kids, this is Aerosmith, so that can only mean one thing: a guaranteed number of incredible tracks for any time and place. These include the earthy voodoo blues of "St. John" and the excellent hobo-harmonica fable of "Hangman Jury." And, although some of the remaining cuts lean to the filler side, both the awkwardly Caribbean title track and the cover of the Beatles "Im Down" are well executed. Finally, the crowd-pleasing schmaltz of "Angel" showcases the band at the peak of its power ballad cheese. A valiant effort, this album proved to be the crucial catalyst in reintroducing Aerosmith to the masses, but if youre looking for an even better example of the bands renewed strength, check out Pump first. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 33 Title: Gems Released: 1988 Tracks: 12 Duration: 53:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic Allmusic Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rats in the Cellar (04:06) 2 Lick and a Promise (03:05) 3 Chip Away the Stone (04:01) 4 No Surprize (04:27) 5 Mama Kin (04:27) 6 Adam’s Apple (04:34) 7 Nobody’s Fault (04:23) 8 Round and Round (05:06) 9 Critical Mass (04:51) 10 Lord of the Thighs (04:14) 11 Jailbait (04:40) 12 Train Kept a Rollin’ (05:41) |
| Gems : Allmusic album Review : With 1987s Permanent Vacation successfully restoring Aerosmiths reputation as one of hard rocks finest, Columbia Records (their first record company) decided the time was right to issue a follow-up of sorts to their 1980 compilation, Greatest Hits. The result, 1988s Gems, features almost all the tracks that were missing from the first collection, focusing more on their harder-rocking album cuts instead of the hits. Such favorites as their superb cover of "Train Kept a Rollin" (a perennial concert showstopper) and the early classic "Mama Kin" are included, as well as tracks unfamiliar to the casual fan. Three selections are featured from their definitive album, Rocks ("Rats in the Cellar," "Lick and a Promise," and "Nobodys Fault"), plus other 70s highlights: "No Surprize," "Adams Apple," "Round and Round," "Critical Mass," and "Lord of the Thighs." And a previously unreleased studio version of "Chip Away the Stone" will undoubtedly interest hardcore fans (only a live version from Live Bootleg had been issued before). Like the Stones and Zeppelin, Aerosmiths album cuts often eclipsed their more renowned material, making Gems an indispensable collection. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 33 Title: Pump Released: 1989-09-12 Tracks: 14 Duration: 47:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Young Lust (04:19) 2 F.I.N.E. (04:08) 3 Going Down (00:17) 4 Love in an Elevator (05:21) 5 Monkey on My Back (03:56) 6 Water Song (00:11) 7 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:29) 8 Dulcimer Stomp (00:50) 9 The Other Side (04:06) 10 My Girl (03:10) 11 Don’t Get Mad, Get Even (04:48) 12 Hoodoo (00:55) 13 Voodoo Medicine Man (03:46) 14 What It Takes (06:28) |
| Pump : Allmusic album Review : Where Permanent Vacation seemed a little overwhelmed by its pop concessions, Pump revels in them without ever losing sight of Aerosmiths dirty hard rock core. Which doesnt mean the record is a sellout -- "What It Takes" has more emotion and grit than any of their other power ballads; "Janies Got a Gun" tackles more complex territory than most previous songs; and "The Other Side" and "Love in an Elevator" rock relentlessly, no matter how many horns and synths fight with the guitars. Such ambition and successful musical eclecticism make Pump rank with Rocks and Toys in the Attic. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 33 Title: Pandora’s Box Released: 1991-11 Tracks: 53 Duration: 3:44:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 When I Needed You (02:36) 2 Make It (03:47) 3 Movin’ Out (05:43) 4 One Way Street (07:02) 5 On the Road Again (03:37) 6 Mama Kin (04:27) 7 Same Old Song and Dance (03:53) 8 Train Kept a Rollin’ (05:33) 9 Seasons of Wither (05:38) 10 Write Me a Letter (live) (04:19) 11 Dream On (04:27) 12 Pandora’s Box (05:43) 13 Rattlesnake Shake (10:28) 14 Walkin’ the Dog (03:15) 15 Lord of the Thighs (live) (07:12) 1 Toys in the Attic (03:06) 2 Round and Round (05:03) 3 Krawhitham (04:00) 4 You See Me Crying (05:11) 5 Sweet Emotion (04:34) 6 No More No More (04:34) 7 Walk This Way (03:41) 8 I Wanna Know Why (live) (03:04) 9 Big Ten Inch Record (04:02) 10 Rats in the Cellar (04:06) 11 Last Child (03:54) 12 All Your Love (05:29) 13 Soul Saver (00:53) 14 Nobody’s Fault (04:23) 15 Lick and a Promise (03:05) 16 Adam’s Apple (04:34) 17 Draw the Line (03:44) 18 Critical Mass (04:51) 1 Kings and Queens (live) (05:33) 2 Milkcow Blues (04:15) 3 I Live in Connecticut (rehearsal) (00:56) 4 Three Mile Smile (03:45) 5 Let It Slide (02:55) 6 Cheese Cake (04:16) 7 Bone to Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy) (02:59) 8 No Surprize (04:27) 9 Come Together (03:45) 10 Downtown Charlie (02:34) 11 Sharpshooter (05:32) 12 Shit House Shuffle (rehearsal) (00:36) 13 South Station Blues (04:11) 14 Riff & Roll (03:18) 15 Jailbait (04:40) 16 Major Barbara (05:06) 17 Chip Away the Stone (04:07) 18 Helter Skelter (03:16) 19 Back in the Saddle (04:40) 20 Circle Jerk (03:44) |
 | Album: 14 of 33 Title: Get a Grip Released: 1993-04-19 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:05:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (00:24) 2 Eat the Rich (04:11) 3 Get a Grip (03:58) 4 Fever (04:15) 5 Livin’ on the Edge (06:07) 6 Flesh (05:57) 7 Walk On Down (03:40) 8 Shut Up and Dance (04:56) 9 Cryin’ (05:09) 10 Gotta Love It (05:58) 11 Crazy (05:17) 12 Line Up (04:03) 13 Can’t Stop Messin’ (03:31) 14 Amazing (05:56) 15 Boogie Man (02:17) |
| Get a Grip : Allmusic album Review : Coming on the heels of the commercially and artistically successful Pump, the fitfully entertaining Get a Grip pales against its predecessors musical diversity. But its not for lack of trying. In fact, Aerosmith try too hard, making a stab at social commentary ("Livin on the Edge") while keeping adolescent fans in their corner with their trademark raunch-rock ("Get a Grip" and "Eat the Rich"), as well as having radio-ready hit ballads ("Cryin," "Amazing," and "Crazy"). The problem is, its a studied performance -- it sounds like what an Aerosmith album should sound like. Most of the album sounds good; its just that there isnt much beneath the surface. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 33 Title: Pandora’s Toys Released: 1994-06 Tracks: 12 Duration: 52:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Sweet Emotion (04:34) 2 Draw the Line (03:46) 3 Walk This Way (03:41) 4 Dream On (04:27) 5 Train Kept a Rollin’ (05:41) 6 Mama Kin (04:27) 7 Nobody’s Fault (04:23) 8 Seasons of Wither (05:06) 9 Big Ten-Inch Record (03:56) 10 All Your Love (05:29) 11 Helter Skelter (03:16) 12 Chip Away the Stone (04:06) |
 | Album: 16 of 33 Title: Big Ones Released: 1994-10-31 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:18:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Walk on Water (04:55) 2 Love in an Elevator (05:21) 3 Rag Doll (04:25) 4 What It Takes (05:10) 5 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 6 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 7 Cryin’ (05:09) 8 Amazing (05:56) 9 Blind Man (04:00) 10 Deuces Are Wild (03:36) 11 The Other Side (04:06) 12 Crazy (05:17) 13 Eat the Rich (04:11) 14 Angel (05:08) 15 Livin’ on the Edge (06:21) 16 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (live) (05:13) |
| Big Ones : Allmusic album Review : Big Ones serves up the hits and nothing but the hits; Aerosmiths excellent debut for Geffen, Done with Mirrors, is conveniently overlooked. So whats left is some of the finest mainstream hard rock of the late 80s and early 90s -- the fruits of one of the most remarkable comebacks in rock & roll history. Unfortunately, theres precious little of the classic Aerosmith raunch; in fact, the two new tracks are the hardest, slinkiest tracks here. Otherwise, the up-tempo tracks bog down in over-production ("Love in an Elevator"), and the frequently embarrassingly overwrought power ballads ("Angel" and "Crazy") dominate too much of the album. So whats left? The bands best stab at social commentary ("Janies Got a Gun"), a sublime slinky throwaway ("Deuces Are Wild"), deliciously sleazy blues-rockers ("Rag Doll," "[Dude] Looks Like a Lady"), and their best ballads ("What It Takes" and "Cryin"). | ||
 | Album: 17 of 33 Title: Box of Fire Released: 1994-11-22 Tracks: 121 Duration: 8:40:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Make It (03:40) 2 Somebody (03:45) 3 Dream On (04:27) 4 One Way Street (07:02) 5 Mama Kin (04:27) 6 Write Me a Letter (04:12) 7 Movin’ Out (05:02) 8 Walkin’ the Dog (03:12) 1 Same Old Song and Dance (03:53) 2 Lord of the Thighs (04:14) 3 Spaced (04:21) 4 Woman of the World (05:49) 5 S.O.S. (Too Bad) (02:51) 6 Train Kept a Rollin’ (05:33) 7 Seasons of Wither (05:38) 8 Pandora’s Box (05:43) 1 Toys in the Attic (03:06) 2 Uncle Salty (04:09) 3 Adam’s Apple (04:34) 4 Walk This Way (03:41) 5 Big Ten Inch Record (02:15) 6 Sweet Emotion (04:34) 7 No More No More (04:34) 8 Round and Round (05:03) 9 You See Me Crying (05:11) 1 Back in the Saddle (04:40) 2 Last Child (03:26) 3 Rats in the Cellar (04:06) 4 Combination (03:40) 5 Sick as a Dog (04:12) 6 Nobody’s Fault (04:23) 7 Get the Lead Out (03:41) 8 Lick and a Promise (03:05) 9 Home Tonight (03:16) 1 Draw the Line (03:23) 2 I Wanna Know Why (03:08) 3 Critical Mass (04:51) 4 Get It Up (04:01) 5 Bright Light Fright (02:19) 6 Kings and Queens (04:53) 7 The Hand That Feeds (04:21) 8 Sight for Sore Eyes (03:51) 9 Milk Cow Blues (04:11) 1 Back in the Saddle (04:27) 2 Sweet Emotion (04:40) 3 Lord of the Thighs (07:17) 4 Toys in the Attic (03:54) 5 Last Child (03:15) 6 Come Together (04:51) 7 Walk This Way (03:47) 8 Sick as a Dog (04:45) 9 Dream On (04:31) 10 Chip Away the Stone (04:12) 11 Sight for Sore Eyes (03:15) 12 Mama Kin (03:43) 13 S.O.S. (Too Bad) (02:46) 14 I Ain’t Got You (03:57) 15 Mother Popcorn / Draw the Line (11:36) 16 Train Kept a Rollin’ / Strangers in the Night (04:46) 1 No Surprize (04:27) 2 Chiquita (04:26) 3 Remember (Walking in the Sand) (04:05) 4 Cheese Cake (04:16) 5 Three Mile Smile (03:42) 6 Reefer Head Woman (04:02) 7 Bone to Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy) (02:59) 8 Think About It (03:35) 9 Mia (04:14) 1 Dream On (04:27) 2 Same Old Song and Dance (03:04) 3 Sweet Emotion (03:13) 4 Walk This Way (03:32) 5 Last Child (03:26) 6 Back in the Saddle (04:40) 7 Draw the Line (03:23) 8 Kings and Queens (03:49) 9 Come Together (03:45) 10 Remember (Walking in the Sand) (04:05) 1 Jailbait (04:40) 2 Lightning Strikes (04:26) 3 Bitch’s Brew (04:14) 4 Bolivian Ragamuffin (03:32) 5 Cry Me a River (04:06) 6 Prelude to Joanie (01:21) 7 Joanie’s Butterfly (05:36) 8 Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat) (04:45) 9 Jig Is Up (03:10) 10 Push Comes to Shove (04:27) 1 Train Kept A-Rollin’ (03:22) 2 Kings and Queens (04:46) 3 Sweet Emotion (05:14) 4 Dream On (04:50) 5 Mama Kin (03:37) 6 Three Mile Smile / Reefer Head Woman (04:54) 7 Lord of the Thighs (07:03) 8 Major Barbara (04:02) 1 Back in the Saddle (04:38) 2 Walk This Way (04:21) 3 Movin’ Out (05:44) 4 Draw the Line (04:51) 5 Same Old Song and Dance (05:45) 6 Last Child (03:43) 7 Let the Music Do the Talking (05:40) 8 Toys in the Attic (04:08) 1 Rats in the Cellar (04:06) 2 Lick and a Promise (03:05) 3 Chip Away the Stone (04:01) 4 No Surprize (04:27) 5 Mama Kin (04:27) 6 Adam’s Apple (04:34) 7 Nobody’s Fault (04:23) 8 Round and Round (05:06) 9 Critical Mass (04:51) 10 Lord of the Thighs (04:14) 11 Jailbait (04:40) 12 Train Kept a Rollin’ (05:41) 1 Sweet Emotion (1991) (04:33) 2 Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu (02:54) 3 Subway (03:29) 4 Circle Jerk (03:44) 5 Dream On (MTV Anniversary) (05:44) |
 | Album: 18 of 33 Title: Best Ballads Released: 1996 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:13:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Crazy (05:17) 2 What It Takes (05:14) 3 Seasons of Wither (05:06) 4 Cryin’ (05:09) 5 The Reason a Dog (04:13) 6 Blind Man (04:00) 7 Deuces Are Wild (03:38) 8 Dream On (04:27) 9 Amazing (05:56) 10 Angel (05:08) 11 Don’t Get Mad, Get Even (04:50) 12 All Your Love (05:29) 13 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 14 Major Barbara (04:02) 15 You See Me Crying (05:11) |
 | Album: 19 of 33 Title: Their Hits 1972-1997 Released: 1997 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:13:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (03:28) 2 Get a Grip (03:58) 3 Young Lust (04:24) 4 Dream On (04:27) 5 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 6 Cryin’ (05:09) 7 Nine Lives (04:08) 8 Livin’ on the Edge (06:21) 9 Nobody’s Fault (04:23) 10 Love in an Elevator (05:26) 11 Full Circle (05:04) 12 Crazy (05:17) 13 Rag Doll (04:25) 14 Eat the Rich (04:11) 15 Fallen Angel (07:37) |
 | Album: 20 of 33 Title: Nine Lives Released: 1997-03-12 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:05:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Nine Lives (04:01) 2 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (03:25) 3 Hole in My Soul (06:10) 4 Taste of India (05:53) 5 Full Circle (05:00) 6 Something’s Gotta Give (03:36) 7 Ain’t That a Bitch (05:25) 8 The Farm (04:27) 9 Crash (04:25) 10 Kiss Your Past Good‐Bye (04:31) 11 Pink (03:55) 12 Falling Off (03:02) 13 Attitude Adjustment (03:44) 14 Fallen Angels (08:16) |
| Nine Lives : Allmusic album Review : Aerosmith signed a multi-million-dollar contract with Columbia Records before they had completed their deal with Geffen, which meant that a lot was riding on their Columbia debut, Nine Lives, when it was finally delivered in 1997. During recording, the band nearly broke up, and they worked with a number of producers -- including Glen Ballard, the man behind Alanis Morissette -- before settling on Kevin Shirley, an in-house producer responsible for Silverchair and Journey. Perhaps thats the reason why Nine Lives sounds so calculated, as if it was assembled by a band trying to sound like Aerosmith. In a sense, it is -- not one of the 13 songs were written without the assistance of professional songwriters. Of course, some of the best moments of Pump and Permanent Vacation were also written with professionals, but they had an appealing, slick surface that made them infectious. Nine Lives, in contrast, is overlabored, with Aerosmith making a conscious effort to sound hip and vibrant, which ironically simply makes them sound tired. Not only are the performances perfunctory, but the songs arent catchy -- no matter how hard it tries, "Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)" never develops a hook, and it is not an exception. A handful of cuts approximate the raunchy appeal of prime Aerosmith, but Nine Lives is hardly the triumphant comeback it should have been. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 33 Title: Millenium Edition Released: 2001 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:16:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Amazing (05:56) 2 Eat the Rich (04:11) 3 What It Takes (05:14) 4 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:34) 5 Magic Touch (04:37) 6 Rag Doll (04:25) 7 Permanent Vacation (04:48) 8 The Movie (03:59) 9 Monkey on My Back (03:59) 10 My Girl (03:12) 11 Shame on You (03:21) 12 The Hop (03:41) 13 She’s on Fire (03:47) 14 Darkness (03:44) 15 I’m Down (02:19) 16 Voodoo Medicine Man (04:41) 17 Shela (04:25) 18 My Fist Your Face (04:23) |
 | Album: 22 of 33 Title: The Universal Masters Collection: Classic Aerosmith Released: 2001-01-09 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:16:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Amazing (05:56) 2 Eat the Rich (04:11) 3 What It Takes (05:14) 4 Janies Got a Gun (05:29) 5 Magic Touch (04:38) 6 Rag Doll (04:22) 7 Permanent Vacation (04:51) 8 The Movie (04:02) 9 Monkey on My Back (03:59) 10 My Girl (03:12) 11 Shame on You (03:22) 12 The Hop (03:42) 13 Shes on Fire (03:47) 14 Darkness (03:45) 15 I’m Down (02:19) 16 Hoodoo / Voodoo Medicine Man (04:41) 17 Shela (04:26) 18 My Fist Your Face (04:23) |
 | Album: 23 of 33 Title: Just Push Play Released: 2001-03-06 Tracks: 12 Duration: 50:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Beyond Beautiful (04:45) 2 Just Push Play (03:51) 3 Jaded (03:35) 4 Fly Away From Here (05:01) 5 Trip Hoppin’ (04:27) 6 Sunshine (03:37) 7 Under My Skin (03:47) 8 Luv Lies (04:26) 9 Outta Your Head (03:22) 10 Drop Dead Gorgeous (03:42) 11 Light Inside (03:34) 12 Avant Garden (06:35) |
| Just Push Play : Allmusic album Review : Give Aerosmith credit for not only realizing something was wrong after Nine Lives relatively flat-lined, but deciding to do something about it. Ditching the outside producers who initially liberated but eventually straitjacketed them, Steve Tyler and Joe Perry seized control of the boards, working with the assistance of Mark Hudson and Marti Frederiksen. (Forever the Stones fanatics, Tyler and Perry dubbed this crew the Boneyard Boys, just like how Mick-n-Keef are the Glimmer Twins.) So, this isnt really a full-fledged band affair and Hudson and Frederiksens fingerprints are all over the place, but that doesnt matter since the end result is tighter, savvier, and better than anything since Pump. Its still far from perfect, however, since it suffers from a dearth of memorable material, and the group members steadfast refusal to act their age results in a couple of embarrassing slips into stodginess (the "f*ckin A" chorus on the title track, a song improbably titled "Trip Hoppin," or the ludicrous "Avant Garden"). These mean that the record doesnt come close to matching the twin comebacks of Permanent Vacation and Pump, but its a sleek, classicist hard rock record that sounds good -- better than Aerosmith has sounded in nearly a decade, as a matter of fact, particularly when the group gets a hook as tuneful as that of "Jaded." Aerosmith sounds good enough on Just Push Play that it almost makes you forgive the Heavy Metal refugee on the front cover, a sexy robot illustration that looks far more out of date than the music sounds. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 33 Title: Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology Released: 2001-11-20 Tracks: 34 Duration: 2:39:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Let the Music Do the Talking (03:48) 2 My Fist Your Face (04:23) 3 Shame on You (03:20) 4 Heart’s Done Time (04:43) 5 Rag Doll (04:25) 6 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 7 Angel (05:08) 8 Hangman Jury (05:31) 9 Permanent Vacation (04:48) 10 Young Lust (04:20) 11 The Other Side (04:06) 12 What It Takes (05:10) 13 Monkey on My Back (03:58) 14 Love in an Elevator (05:21) 15 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 16 Ain’t Enough (04:58) 17 Walk This Way (05:12) 1 Eat the Rich (04:32) 2 Love Me Two Times (03:15) 3 Head First (04:42) 4 Livin’ on the Edge (acoustic version) (05:37) 5 Don’t Stop (04:02) 6 Can’t Stop Messin’ (04:34) 7 Amazing (orchestral version) (05:34) 8 Cryin’ (05:09) 9 Crazy (05:17) 10 Shut Up and Dance (04:56) 11 Deuces Are Wild (03:32) 12 Walk on Water (04:55) 13 Blind Man (04:00) 14 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (live) (03:24) 15 Dream On (live) (04:53) 16 Hole in My Soul (live) (05:38) 17 Sweet Emotion (live) (05:51) |
| Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology : Allmusic album Review : The Geffen hits were already summarized on Big Ones, so the 2001 collection Young Lust takes the next step, providing an "anthology," which apparently means that it delves deeper than those hits, providing two discs of latter-day Aerosmith, including album tracks, concert favorites, rarities, non-LP B-sides, and cuts only available on compilations. A better idea in theory than in practice, since Young Lust is typical of collections of its time in that it simultaneously contains too much music and not enough. Too much because these 34 songs simply constitute a lot of material, especially because there are a few album cuts that arent particularly distinctive, plus live material at the end that feels extraneous. Not enough because certain hits arent here in the hit versions: the acoustic version of "Livin on the Edge," the orchestral version of "Amazing," a live "Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)" (not to mention the live performances of Columbia classics "Dream On" and "Sweet Emotion"). That said, this still fulfills its goals pretty nicely, offering an in-depth summary of Aerosmiths comeback, which indeed wasnt limited to just the hits; cuts like "Hangman Jury," "Monkey on My Back," "Blind Man," and especially the non-LP "Deuces Are Wild" are proof that the group was revitalized during this time, only starting to run out of steam around 1993s Get a Grip. Much of the best of this time is available here, but the collection feels a little off, probably because it is so much material in such a concentrated burst, which is not only a little tiring, but the density brings the weaknesses to the forefront in a way such tight albums as Pump couldnt; but it still does offer a lot, even if it doesnt have all that it should. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 33 Title: O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits Released: 2002-06-02 Tracks: 33 Duration: 2:22:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mama Kin (04:27) 2 Dream On (04:27) 3 Same Old Song and Dance (03:53) 4 Seasons of Wither (05:27) 5 Walk This Way (03:41) 6 Big Ten Inch Record (02:15) 7 Sweet Emotion (04:34) 8 Last Child (03:26) 9 Back in the Saddle (04:40) 10 Draw the Line (03:46) 11 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 12 Angel (05:08) 13 Rag Doll (04:25) 14 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 15 Love in an Elevator (05:21) 16 What It Takes (05:10) 1 The Other Side (04:06) 2 Livin’ on the Edge (06:21) 3 Cryin’ (05:09) 4 Amazing (05:56) 5 Deuces Are Wild (03:36) 6 Crazy (05:17) 7 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (03:28) 8 Pink (The South Beach mix) (03:54) 9 I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (04:59) 10 Jaded (03:35) 11 Just Push Play (radio remix) (03:12) 12 Walk This Way (05:11) 13 Girls of Summer (03:15) 14 Lay It Down (03:47) 15 Come Together (03:45) 16 Theme From Spider‐Man (02:57) 17 Toys in the Attic (03:06) |
| O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits : Allmusic album Review : Almost all the heavy-hitters are hauled out for The Essential Aerosmith, from "Mama Kin" to "Jaded," and including both versions of "Walk This Way." Some of the songs are presented in a remixed form -- "Draw the Line," "Pink," "Just Push Play" -- but all of the new mixes are good, possibly even improvements, and the newer song, "Girls of Summer," is strong (its companion, "Lay It Down," isnt as noteworthy). So, all the parts are in place -- why doesnt it feel definitive, then? After all, there are no big songs or hits missing (apart from the cover of "Come Together," which isnt much of a loss), just fan favorites and album tracks like "Lick and a Promise," and "Chip Away the Stone". The reason it doesnt feel definitive is that the classic Columbia recordings are wrapped up by track ten, and then the best of their late-80s comeback is wrapped up by the end of the first disc, which leaves disc two pretty much devoted to everything from Get a Grip on -- an era not widely considered their best, even though it had a number of hits, plus a couple of good songs along the way ("Crying," "Deuces Are Wild"). So, even though this delivers everything it should and will certainly be the one Aerosmith set most casual listeners will need, it doesnt quite capture the essence of the band the way their greatest albums do (whether theyre Rocks or Pump). | ||
 | Album: 26 of 33 Title: Honkin’ on Bobo Released: 2004-03-30 Tracks: 13 Duration: 47:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Road Runner (03:44) 2 Shame, Shame, Shame (02:14) 3 Eyesight to the Blind (03:10) 4 Baby, Please Don’t Go (03:23) 5 Never Loved a Girl (03:12) 6 Back Back Train (04:23) 7 You Gotta Move (05:30) 8 The Grind (03:46) 9 I’m Ready (04:14) 10 Temperature (02:51) 11 Stop Messin’ Around (04:30) 12 Jesus Is on the Main Line (02:56) 13 Jaded (03:35) |
| Honkin’ on Bobo : Allmusic album Review : Aerosmith prove that a band can be inspired by the blues and play the blues without ever feeling like a blues band. Then again, the nature of the blues is that every musician who plays it stamps his or her own identity on a set of familiar chord changes and songs. While it might not feel like the blues, Aerosmith do indeed stamp their identity on each track on their long-promised blues album, the atrociously named Honkin on Bobo. Other rockers who have cut full-length blues albums have always played the music with a kind of scholarly reverence, taking care to pay tribute to their influences. Not Aerosmith. They turn up the amps and cut loose, playing slick and sleazy blooze-rock that feels indebted to second-generation blues-rock instead of blues forefathers. But thats the nature of the band. Surely, they loved Chess and country blues as much as they loved the Stones, but they are so thoroughly the children of Mick and Keith, they cant help but sound like a rock & roll band no matter what they do, no matter what they play. That might mean that Honkin on Bobo is something that could be close to anathema to blues purists, since its a rock album pure and simple, but chances are the bandmembers dont care, since theyre just here to have a good time playing songs they love. Besides, the song selection proves theyre no purists. There are some warhorses with "Road Runner," "Baby, Please Dont Go," "Im Ready," and "Eyesight to the Blind," but theres also a heavy dose of Fred McDowell, a Fleetwood Mac tune, a little-known Little Walter song, an obscure song from the obscure band Freedom, a Smiley Lewis number, and one casual original. While the warhorses are predictable, the rest is not, and the album itself is a bit of a surprise, too. Every indication, from the awful title and silly album art to the notion that the band was going back to its roots, suggests that this is going to be an embarrassment from a band that has been no stranger to embarrassment during the 90s. Instead, its the best flat-out rock album Aerosmith have made in ages, ever since Joe Perry rejoined the band for Done With Mirrors. Re-teaming with producer Jack Douglas, who helmed all their greatest albums in the 70s, Aerosmith sound reinvigorated, even liberated from the need to have a hit power ballad, and they tear through these 12 songs with an energy they seemed to lose sometime after Pump. Sure, they can still be tasteless and ridiculous, whether in Steven Tylers vocal affectations or in the bands oversized riffs, but again, thats the nature of the band -- no other band does sleaze better. When they do it well, it can be irresistible rock & roll, and its been a long, long time since theyve sounded as good as they do here. Despite that awful title, Honkin on Bobo is a real surprise and a real return to form for Aerosmith. (Special thanks to legendary pianist Johnnie Johnson, who plays on a couple of cuts here and lends the band just a little genuine blues grit.) | ||
 | Album: 27 of 33 Title: Gold Released: 2005-01-11 Tracks: 34 Duration: 2:39:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Let the Music Do the Talking (03:48) 2 My Fist Your Face (04:23) 3 Shame on You (03:20) 4 Heart’s Done Time (04:43) 5 Rag Doll (04:25) 6 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 7 Angel (05:08) 8 Hangman Jury (05:31) 9 Permanent Vacation (04:48) 10 Young Lust (04:20) 11 The Other Side (04:06) 12 What It Takes (05:10) 13 Monkey on My Back (03:58) 14 Love in an Elevator (05:21) 15 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 16 Ain’t Enough (04:58) 17 Walk This Way (05:11) 1 Eat the Rich (04:32) 2 Love Me Two Times (03:15) 3 Head First (04:42) 4 Livin’ on the Edge (acoustic version) (05:37) 5 Don’t Stop (04:02) 6 Can’t Stop Messin’ (04:34) 7 Amazing (orchestral version) (05:34) 8 Cryin’ (05:09) 9 Crazy (05:17) 10 Shut Up and Dance (04:56) 11 Deuces Are Wild (03:32) 12 Walk on Water (04:55) 13 Blind Man (04:00) 14 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (live) (03:25) 15 Dream On (live) (04:53) 16 Hole in My Soul (live) (05:38) 17 Sweet Emotion (live) (05:51) |
 | Album: 28 of 33 Title: Devil’s Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith Released: 2006-10-17 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:19:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dream On (04:27) 2 Mama Kin (04:27) 3 Sweet Emotion (04:34) 4 Back in the Saddle (04:40) 5 Last Child (03:26) 6 Walk This Way (03:41) 7 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 8 Rag Doll (04:25) 9 Love in an Elevator (05:21) 10 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 11 What It Takes (04:07) 12 Crazy (04:04) 13 Livin’ on the Edge (04:20) 14 Cryin’ (05:09) 15 I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (04:24) 16 Jaded (03:35) 17 Sedona Sunrise (04:16) 18 Devil’s Got a New Disguise (04:27) |
| Devil’s Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith : Allmusic album Review : Aerosmith greatest-hits compilations can be sorted into three categories: ones that compile the bands 1970s prime with Columbia Records (of which Greatest Hits [1980] and Gems [1988] are the benchmarks, especially the former); ones that compile the bands subsequent run with Geffen Records (Big Ones [1994]); and ones that ostensibly span both eras via cross-licensing (O, Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits [2002]). Devils Got a New Disguise falls into the final category, as it spans Aerosmiths entire career to date, from "Dream On" and "Mama Kin" (from the bands 1973 eponymous debut) to a pair of new studio recordings ("Sedona Sunrise" and "Devils Got a New Disguise"). Like O, Yeah!, unfortunately, it pays short shrift to the Columbia recordings, compiling a measly five songs: "Dream On," "Mama Kin," "Sweet Emotion," "Back in the Saddle," and "Last Child." The remainder of the 18 songs are Geffen recordings, beginning with the Run-D.M.C. version of "Walk This Way" and then moving on to Permanent Vacation (1987), bypassing Done with Mirrors (1985) as well as numerous other latter-day albums, namely Nine Lives (1997), A Little South of Sanity (1998), Honkin on Bobo (2004), and Rockin the Joint (2005). Such selective sampling doesnt bode well for comprehensiveness, yet it does result in a perfectly listenable album without any bad songs (unlike most of the double-disc Aerosmith best-ofs like O, Yeah! and Gold, which are comprehensive yet troublesomely bogged down by subpar material that doesnt really warrant compilation). After all, Aerosmith struggled to craft engaging material in the wake of Pump (1989), their last truly great album, so its actually for the best that those latter-day albums are bypassed here. Truth be told, Devils Got a New Disguise is simply a trimmed-down version of O, Yeah!, and while its perfectly listenable, it also leaves much to be desired from the standpoint of comprehensiveness. If you were to own one and only one Aerosmith album and consequently wanted a broad, if inevitably cursory, overview, Devils Got a New Disguise fits that niche well; however, youd be better off with both the Columbia-era Greatest Hits and the Geffen-era Big Ones, two well-compiled best-ofs that complement each other ideally, and satisfactorily cover practically all of the bands key material without any overlap whatsoever. | ||
 | Album: 29 of 33 Title: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Aerosmith Released: 2007-11-06 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:00:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 2 Angel (05:08) 3 Rag Doll (04:25) 4 Love in an Elevator (05:22) 5 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 6 What It Takes (05:13) 7 The Other Side (04:08) 8 Livin’ on the Edge (06:21) 9 Cryin’ (05:09) 10 Crazy (05:17) 11 Deuces Are Wild (03:32) 12 Amazing (05:56) |
 | Album: 30 of 33 Title: Gold Collection Released: 2008 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:26:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 2 Love in an Elevator (05:21) 3 Livin’ on the Edge (06:21) 4 Walk This Way (05:11) 5 Cryin’ (05:09) 6 Jaded (03:35) 7 Crazy (05:17) 8 Angel (05:08) 9 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 10 Amazing (05:56) 11 The Other Side (04:06) 12 Dream On (04:27) 13 Sweet Emotion (05:10) 14 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (03:25) 15 Pink (03:55) 16 I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (04:59) 17 Sedona Sunrise (04:16) 18 Devil’s Got a New Disguise (04:27) |
 | Album: 31 of 33 Title: Tough Love: Best of the Ballads Released: 2011-05-23 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:16:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (04:59) 2 Angel (05:08) 3 Amazing (05:35) 4 Cryin’ (05:09) 5 Pink (03:55) 6 Cryin’ (05:09) 7 What It Takes (05:12) 8 Rag Doll (04:24) 9 Crazy (05:17) 10 Deuces Are Wild (03:34) 11 Livin’ on the Edge (06:21) 12 Blind Man (04:00) 13 Magic Touch (04:37) 14 Janies Got A Gun (05:29) 15 Sweet Emotion (03:13) 16 Dream On (04:27) |
| Tough Love: Best of the Ballads : Allmusic album Review : Given Steven Tylers newly anointed role as America’s lecherous sweetheart thanks to his gig as an American Idol judge, it was only a matter of time before a new Aerosmith compilation hit the stores in 2011. Tough Love: The Best of the Ballads arrived right on time, appearing just weeks before the close of the season, its title pitched to those AmIdol viewers who celebrate Tylers wackiness while happily ignoring his lecherous side glances…an ignorance that would extend to the contents of this 12-track collection, as there is just no possible way that “Love in an Elevator” and “Rag Doll” could qualify as “ballads.” Instead, view Tough Love as a greatest hits of Aerosmith’s late-‘80s and early-‘90s comeback, expanded slightly by the inclusion of the granddaddy of all power ballads, “Dream On,” and the collection makes sense, as it has all the big hits -- “Angel,” “Amazing,” “Crazy,” “What It Takes,” “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Janie’s Got a Gun” -- leaving only “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” behind. For those who fell back in love or just got to know Tyler via American Idol, this is an album designed for them. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 33 Title: The Essential Aerosmith Released: 2011-09-13 Tracks: 30 Duration: 2:12:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mama Kin (04:27) 2 Dream On (04:27) 3 Same Old Song and Dance (03:53) 4 Seasons of Wither (05:27) 5 Walk This Way (03:41) 6 Big Ten Inch Record (02:15) 7 Sweet Emotion (04:34) 8 Last Child (03:26) 9 Back in the Saddle (04:40) 10 Draw the Line (03:46) 11 Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (04:24) 12 Angel (05:08) 13 Rag Doll (04:25) 14 Janie’s Got a Gun (05:30) 15 Love in an Elevator (05:21) 16 What It Takes (05:10) 1 The Other Side (04:06) 2 Livin’ on the Edge (06:21) 3 Cryin’ (05:09) 4 Amazing (05:56) 5 Deuces Are Wild (03:36) 6 Crazy (05:17) 7 Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (03:28) 8 Pink (The South Beach mix) (03:54) 9 I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (04:59) 10 Jaded (03:35) 11 Just Push Play (radio remix) (03:12) 12 Walk This Way (05:11) 13 Girls of Summer (03:15) 14 Lay It Down (03:47) |
| The Essential Aerosmith : Allmusic album Review : Almost all the heavy-hitters are hauled out for The Essential Aerosmith, from "Mama Kin" to "Jaded," and including both versions of "Walk This Way." Some of the songs are presented in a remixed form -- "Draw the Line," "Pink," "Just Push Play" -- but all of the new mixes are good, possibly even improvements, and the newer song, "Girls of Summer," is strong (its companion, "Lay It Down," isnt as noteworthy). So, all the parts are in place -- why doesnt it feel definitive, then? After all, there are no big songs or hits missing (apart from the cover of "Come Together," which isnt much of a loss), just fan favorites and album tracks like "Lick and a Promise," and "Chip Away the Stone". The reason it doesnt feel definitive is that the classic Columbia recordings are wrapped up by track ten, and then the best of their late-80s comeback is wrapped up by the end of the first disc, which leaves disc two pretty much devoted to everything from Get a Grip on -- an era not widely considered their best, even though it had a number of hits, plus a couple of good songs along the way ("Crying," "Deuces Are Wild"). So, even though this delivers everything it should and will certainly be the one Aerosmith set most casual listeners will need, it doesnt quite capture the essence of the band the way their greatest albums do (whether theyre Rocks or Pump). | ||
 | Album: 33 of 33 Title: Music From Another Dimension! Released: 2012-11-01 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:15:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 LUV XXX (05:16) 2 Oh Yeah (03:41) 3 Beautiful (03:04) 4 Tell Me (03:45) 5 Out Go the Lights (06:55) 6 Legendary Child (04:13) 7 What Could Have Been Love (03:44) 8 Street Jesus (06:43) 9 Can’t Stop Loving You (04:04) 10 Lover Alot (03:35) 11 We All Fall Down (05:14) 12 Freedom Fighter (03:19) 13 Closer (04:04) 14 Something (04:37) 15 Another Last Goodbye (05:47) 16 Shakey Ground (04:33) 17 Im Not Talkin (03:14) |