Four Decades of 'Aerosmith'

Yesterday, Aerosmith's self-titled debut turned 40. That's right, four-zero. Aerosmith's debut is largely underrated when compared to the rest of their catalog, save the epic "Dream On."

I love "Dream On" but I'm also a big fan of "Walkin' The Dog" and "Movin' Out."

Comments

[Rita]

Too bad more of their new stuff didn't sound like this.

[Metalboy!]

Hear! Hear! Rita!

And too bad their 80's stuff didn't sound like this, either, "Done with Mirrors" excepted. Still, FINALLY, this latest album at least has SOME flashes of their former more REAL style that is the hallmark of this absolute Masterpiece, easily one of THE Top 25 Greatest Albums of the 70's including "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks", though their first is an even purer example of Rock and Roll than those albums.

And let's not forget, "Aerosmith" delivered "Dream On", the closest ANYONE has ever come to the epic level of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven".

At least a couple of the more memorable songs from the current Aerosmith album, "Music From Another Dimension" have at least some vibe of authenticity -- "Luv XXX", "Street Jesus" and "Lover Alot".

p.s. If you'll remember, they delayed the release of the latest album by a couple of months. My theory is they put the brakes on it to make it safer by taking out some of the more Rocking material they most likely originally slated for the album (which hopefully will see the light of day when all is said and done) and then adding stuff like the Carrie Underwood (Why couldn't they have gotten someone cooler? Dumb it down to ensure a hit, that's why.) and other ballads plus the poppier post production they probably went back in with to doctor it up to appeal to a more mass audience (read: idiots). The result: Mixed bag. When is Tyler gonna put his foot down and say, "We are going to make a Rock and Roll album or forget it!"?

[bkallday]

Sadly that will never happen mb. They are now a pop band, whether we like it or not!

[not2hi]

because Tyler is the one always pushing the ballads and slow stuff - i think Perry and the LI3 would be all over making another full blown rock album.

[GNR]

8 song album and not a track to skip. My older brother had this on 8 track. He'd get mad if one of my other brothers pushed the next program or fast forward button. :)

BTW - Love the Get Your Wings Album, another 8 song album of pure goodness. And their best "ballad" ~ Seasons of Wither

[florentine]

make it is an all time classic in my book.
the greatest rock and roll band of all time...

[Metalboy!]

You read it here first, folks...

Y'all are absolutely right, Boyz!

And I couldn't agree more, GNR... I thought about including the oft overlooked "Get Your Wings". It really is the sleeper of the first four albums. And you're absolutely right about "Seasons of Wither". The same thought occurred to me when I mistakenly neglected mentioning "Get Your Wings" here in my first comments.

I'll even take it one further -- "Seasons of Wither" may just be THE best Powerballad of all time (of ANY band) when all is said and done.

Name one better, people -- I dare ya...