Not counting a credible 'survival' effort with borrowed guitarists, the 'old' Aerosmith with reunited original members boiled down there 'new' style, these albums allowed Aerosmith to become the only band in Rock and roll to have it all, lose it, get it all back and perhaps become even more popular on balance internationally than they were first time around. Only a few albums, but Aerosmith have spent most of the intevening time on the road, earning their 'wings' once again. How many bands of Aerosmith's success and longevity still tour the world for 3 years non-stop???? That's why I think Aerosmith are the best of their generation.
"Rock In A Hard Place" - 1982 (Columbia)
By this point, Brad Whitford had also left, fraustrated by the effort it took to lay down tracks. Rick Dufay was drafted in to fill the guitar void, along side Crespo. Again, the album is better than expected, relying on Tyler's flair. There is some intersting work on the album like "Prelude to Joannie" and "Joannie's Butterfly", but for me anyway, this album is just another rock band, called "Aerosmith". This album shows in graphic detail how the rigorous restraint of Tom, Joey & Brad Whitford combined with the balls-out profanity of Perry's lead, following a creative routine set out by Tyler is the spark that is Aerosmith. This album's sound is rather like Tyler doing a good cover of some other band's songs! Roll on '84!
HIT- "Jailbait" - The only track Joe Perry withed he could have played on. Trult creative, could have been on "Ruts".
Crawf's Good 'un - "Bolivian Ragamuffin" - A Truly great Riff, but a little too standard for Aerosmith, more AC/DC. Great track, nonetheless.
"Done With Mirrors" - 1984 (Geffen)
A shaky return for the original, and not totally clean, Aerosmith line-up.As Perry puts it, "We just went in with a few riffs and winged it". It sounds like it! It is blues influenced and no real creative spark. It is not a bad album, just not up to the dizzy heights of the '70's. The clean "She's on Fire" is a highlight for me, while "Let the music do the talking" is a fine sentiment for the bands return. Fortunatley, it proved to the band that it was worth carrying on. Everyone was the better for that decision!
HIT - "Let the Music do the talking"
Crawf's Good 'un - "My Fist Your Face" - bluesy and ballsy, aand a good bad ass vibe. Fun to play, too!
"Permanent Vacation" - 1987 (Geffen)
With this album, Aerosmith were back! Not the heaviest of their catalogue, but truly creative. Really, they are like a new band, with almost no similarities to the '70's. Now Sober, Tyler's voice improves to its brilliant best, and he cranks out the typically cheeky lyrics with gusto. Guitar work is vaied from '80's techno pomp, through slide to acoustic numbers. Very impressive all in all.
HITS - "Dude (looks like a lady)", "Rag Doll"
Crawf's Good 'un - "Simoriah" - lighthearted with good lyrics, great beat and thumping guitar backing. 'cock rock' but without the pretention of AC/DC or Def Leppard.
"Pump" - 1989 (Geffen)
For me, this is possibly the best Aerosmith Album ever. Only 1997's "Nine Lives" or 1979's "Night In The Ruts" have such a vibe, such a flair. Every track is perfectly executed. Their is range from the mad "F.I.N.E" to the masterful "Janie's got a gun". If their is one critiscism it is that there is not a lot of variation of playing style, but when the tracks are this good, it doesn't matter!! To put it simply, this one ROCKS!
HITS - "Janie's got a gun", "Love in an Elevator"
Crawf's Good 'un - Like "Toys", I have to say all tracks are brilliant. "F.I.N.E" deserves a mention for being heavy, but with a sound never heard before. "Dont Get Mad, Get Even" is also a top tune. But its like picking your favourite Ferrari, you like different ones for different reasons, but they are all great!
..and beyond!
"Get A Grip" - 1993 (Geffen)
More varied than "Pump", while retaining the heaviness, and adding a sharp, seedy qualitgy that is very addictive. The range from "Get a Grip" to the mushy "Crazy" and the big ballad "Amazing" is very impressive, and all are done without that big band 'sound'. A big hit with the masses too, so it had something for everybody. A great effort. Just didn't quite have the freshness of "Pump".
HITS - "Crazy", "Livin' on the Edge", "Cryin'", "Amazing"
Crawf's Good 'un - for a good headbang; then try "Fever", but for a totally different experience try "Gotta Love It" - different and every guitarist gets their own solo!
"Nine Lives" - 1997 (Columbia)
The first of 6 records with old label Columbia, Aerosmith wanted "this one to come out with a bang". It did. This album has the vibe of pump, the range of Get a Grip, the darkness of "Ruts" and a new sound that can only be described as 'great'. Hook laden heaven. "Nine Lives" is big and heavy, while "Pink" is fun and "Crash" is rythmuc chaos! "Full Circle" is the worlds finest drinking song in my opinion, funny it should come after over 10years sobriety from its creators! My Favourite so far then! Pure Class, and it deserves more air time in the UK especially. Unfortunatley Aerosmith are now too old to be cool. Shame. The world doesnt; know what its missing...
HITS - "Falling in love (is hard on the knees)", "Pink", amd a late addition "I don't want to miss a thing"
Crawf's Good 'un - "Falling Off" - Joe Perry's finest singing hour on an Aerosmith record. '70s vibe, thumping guitar and honest lyrics. A real solid rocking track.
"Just Push Play" - 2001 (Columbia)
Launched amid much hysteria the Aerosmith were going "back to basics", Just Push Play actually represents a new direction for Aerosmith. The Albums material varies significantly from the opening "Beyond Beautiful" which is a heavy yet dreamy song, power ballad "Fly away from here" accoustic "Face". There are also tracks featuring rap, scratching and jamaican chants! The album is still growing on me, but I feel there are definitley 2 or 3 songs which will become Aero Anthems
HITS - "Jaded" so far, "Fly away from here" will undoubtedly follow...
Crawf's Good 'un - "Light Inside"- The answer to those who say the new album is "pop", this track has a rip snorting verse, interesting chorus and the arguably the heaviest Aero solo ever...INCLUDING anything from "Rocks"!!!