Honkin' on Bobo [ECD] - Aerosmith (CD 2004)

Well, here we are. The long awaited album by the Toxic Twins and fellow legendary bandmates has finally arrived. Honkin On Bobo is the name, and the question that s on everyone s minds is Does this album live up to the bluesy expectations of the Aerosmith I know and love?

Well, my answer is yes and no. I m going to try something a little different by listing the tracks from this album, and the previous albums from Aerosmith that these songs could belong on, if any. The general idea is to give the average Aerosmith fan a heads up if they like a particular prior album, then my guess is they ll like the song next to it. Let me know if you agree/disagree.

1. Road Runner Permanent Vacation 2. Shame, Shame, Shame Done With Mirrors
3. Eyesight To The Blind None
4. Baby, Please Don t Go Toys In The Attic
5. Never Loved A Girl Toys In The Attic
6. Back, Back, Train Get A Grip
7. You Gotta Move Get Your Wings
8. The Grind Just Push Play
9. I'm Ready Rocks
10. Temperature None
11. Stop Messin' Around None
12. Jesus Is On The Main Line None

So, the first thing you ll notice from the above list is the occurrence of many early Aerosmith albums, so this must be a good thing, right? Well, yes, it s a good thing, but it s far from perfect. These songs are a representative of the albums I picked, but by no means a replacement for any of the prior songs. And, for me, there s no songs that compare to any of the earlier albums such as their self-titled Aerosmith, Toys In The Attic, Get Your Wings, and most definitely no comparison to my favorite album Rocks.

My general feeling about this whole album is that it s good, some songs even great, but it s missing that special ingredient that makes Aerosmith the legend they ve become over the past 30 years. The main thing that I notice is missing is your typical Steven Tyler/Joe Perry lyrics. And, yes, that makes up a huge chunk of Aerosmith s greatness. I mean, come on, we re totally missing the lewd, crude lyrics that made them famous. Who doesn t remember the first time they discovered what Walk This Way was really about?

Not to sound negative, though, because there really several gems on this album. To me, they all occur in the middle of the CD, the first three songs just being a warm-up, and the last 3 a slow fizzle of a cool-down.

The greatness starts off at Track 4, Baby, Please Don t Go, which has been designated as the first single, so I m told by MattA75. I haven t heard a peep about it, and don t know if we even will. This is the song I get to on the CD and think Okay, here is the Aerosmith I was waiting for. The song is a little swing-based, very dance oriented in a way that only this band can do cool .

Next, we re on to Never Loved A Girl, which is a song I added to Toys In The Attic, but also has a few Nine Lives influences. This is a very soulful, bluesy song that fans wanted to hear, and Tyler does a great vocal performance.

In my opinion, Joe Perry is extremely underrated as a vocalist, and Back, Back, Train is a perfect example of why. This song is amazing. Perry s voice is rough, rugged, manly. It s nothing like Steven Tyler!!. That s why it s so perfect. They re meant to be together. Yin and Yang. They complete each other. This song is so beautiful in a haunting fashion. It s one of those things you either love it or hate it, but I m guessing most will love it. Joe Perry s voice is accompanied by Tracy Bonham and it s a perfect match.

You Gotta Move is probably my favorite so far on the album. It s got all of the get-up and go that Aerosmith loves to exhibit. It features a much missed excellently played harmonica by Mr. Tyler. The beginning instrumentals remind me of the song where they sing Who do you love? . A definite standout track.

Next, we have the only original song The Grind, and I think that any true Aerosmith fan would be able to pick it out of the mix without knowing. The lyrics are very reminiscent of Pump, but it has the poppy sound of their last release Just Push Play and the same excellent musicianship as always. A+

I m Ready has the harder edged sound featured in my favorite album Rocks, but the bluesy features of Get Your Wings. Sounds a little laid back, but as Tyler actually very threatening:

Well I'm ready... ready as anybody can be
I am ready... a ready as anybody can be
I'm ready for you
I hope you ready for me


Got an out of town pistol with the graveyard frame
It shoots tombstone bullets... wit da ball and chain
I'm drinkin' TNT... and smokin' dynamite
I hope some schoolboy pick a fight
'Cause I'm ready... ready as anybody can be
Well I'm ready for you... I hope you ready for me

This is the last great song featured on this album, to me.

One song that is okay, but not up there with the one s I ve listed is the albums opener Road Runner. My least favorite song is Shame, Shame, Shame, although it really sounds a lot like Sheila off of Done With Mirrors, which I do enjoy. Other songs that are certainly worth giving a listen are Eyesight To The Blind, Temperature, Stop Messin Around, and Jesus Is On the Mainline.

Overall, I really enjoy this album, and recommend anyone to check it out and give it a listen if you ve ever enjoyed a non-Diane Warren Aerosmith song before. As I said earlier, it s no comparison to any of their previous albums, but nothing to laugh at either.