Get Your Wings - Aerosmith (CD 1993)

Edited 3-24-00
Aerosmith's second album, along with their next two albums, would literally reshape American rock music forever. This album is where they first showcased their trademark sound. Even though Get Your Wings is a quarter of a century old, it is as relevant today as it was in 1974. That is quite an accomplishment, and one that few bands can match. I enjoy listening to all eight songs on this album. At thirty-eight minutes in length, this album goes by fast, so I usually have to listen to it two or three times in a row. If fans of the modern Aerosmith sound would like to know where the band first demonstrated their greatness, they should give this album a listen. In fact, all fans of rock music will enjoy this album.

The album opens with "Same Old Song and Dance", a classic cut which is recognized for its great guitar riffs and horn section. This song s groove sets the tone for the album and proves that they are one of the most talented rock groups of all time. The uncompromising attitude of Lord of the Thighs makes it one of the most original songs the band had ever done. Steven Tyler s piano playing, complemented by the guitar team of Brad Whitford and Joe Perry, make this song nothing short of phenomenal. Joe Perry says of this song, This song was way ahead of its time. It sounds as good to me now as it did then, if not better.

Two of my favorite songs by the band that most people aren t familiar with are Spaced and Woman of the World . Spaced has simple music that is composed mostly of barre chords. This is an approach that the band doesn t try very often, but Tom Hamilton s precise bass line gives it the extra push it needs. The band then launches into the brilliant Woman of the World . The drums give the song an R&B feel, but the guitars keep building and building. By the two-minute mark, the guitars are in at full blast and the song is rocking. Joe Perry s solo, back by Brad Whitford s palm muted power chords, still gives me goose bumps. The song then slows down again to its original tempo, but that s only a teaser. At the 4:10 mark, Joe Perry launches into another guitar solo, followed by Steven Tyler starts blasting out his harmonica. The song builds up to a crescendo until it fades out at nearly six minutes long.

"Train Kept A Rollin'" makes it appearance on the second half of the record, and has always been a fan favorite. It is also quite innovative in the fact that it blends a studio version of the song with a "live" version of the song (actually recorded in the studio with crowd ambient noise added). Unorthodox production techniques like that is what helped Aerosmith stand out from their peers. S.O.S. is similar to the blues influenced Steven Tyler compositions of the first album. Tyler s trademark lyrics filled with sexual innuendo set the stage for Pandora s Box . The choppy rhythm and sexy lyrics give this song a groove that just doesn t quit. Joey Kramer wrote this song on a guitar he found in a dumpster.

Blues hearted lady, sleepy was she
Love for the Devil brought her to me
Seas of a thousand drawn to her sin
Seasons of wither holding me in

Woe is me, I feel so badly for you
Woe is me, I feel so sadly for you
At times, bound to lose your mind
Live on borrowed time,
Take the wind right out of your sails

Fireflies dance in the heat of
Hound dogs that bay at the moon
My ship leaves in the midnight
Can t say I ll be back to soon

They awaken far, far away
Heat of my candle show me the way
Seas of a thousand drawn to her sin
Seasons of wither holding me in

Woe is me, I feel so badly for you
Woe is me, I feel so sadly for you
At times, bound to lose your mind
Live on borrowed time,
Take the wind right out of your sails

This record isn't all about bruising rock and roll. The acoustic ballad, "Seasons of Wither" shows a somber restraint by the band. This is one of the finest ballads ever written by Aerosmith. Fans of the band who think they have written too many wimpy ballads on their last few albums should hear this song. Tyler wrote this song when he was feeling really down, and it shows. It doesn t have the band s usual upbeat humor, but it is another of my favorite songs by the band.

All eight songs on this album are worth a listen. This is one of the greatest albums of the 70s. It took some time before the entire country would get to hear it. Aerosmith's ceaseless touring and the release of their third album would push their first two albums past the platinum mark. Yet there is little doubt that this is the album where Aerosmith, lead by the song writing team of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, got their wings and defined a sound that defined a decade.


Song Selection:
1. Same Old Song and Dance
2. Lord of the Thighs
3. Spaced
4. Woman of the World
5. S.O.S. (Too Bad)
6. Train Kept a Rollin'
7. Seasons of Wither
8. Pandora's Box

Top picks: Spaced, Seasons of Wither, Lord of the Thighs, Train Kept a Rollin

Band Members:
Steven Tyler: vocals, harmonica, piano, acoustic guitar
Joe Perry: guitars
Brad Whitford: guitars
Tom Hamilton: bass
Joey Kramer: drums and percussion

Additional Musicians:
Michael Brecker, Stan Bronstein: saxophone
Randy Brecker: trumpet
Jon Pearson: trombone
Ray Colcord: piano on Spaced



Discography

Aerosmith:
Aerosmith (1973)
Get Your Wings (1974)
Toys in the Attic (1975)
Rocks (1976)
Draw the Line (1977)
Live! Bootleg (1978)
Night in the Ruts (1979)
Greatest Hits (1980)
Rock in a Hard Place (1982)
Done With Mirrors (1985)
Classics Live! (1986)
Classics Live II (1986)
Permanent Vacation (1987)
Gems (Collection) (1988)
Pump (1989)
Pandora s Box (Boxed Set) (1991)
Get a Grip (1993)
Big Ones (Best of) (1994)
Box of Fire (Boxed Set) (1994)
Nine Lives (1997)
Aerosmith s Greatest Hits 1973-1988 (Import) (1997)
A Little South of Sanity (Live) (1998)
Just Push Play (2001)
Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology (2001)
O Yeah Ultimate Aerosmith Hits (2002)

Joe Perry Project:
Let the Music Do the Talking (1980)
I ve Got the Rock N Rolls Again (1981)
Once a Rocker, Always a Rocker (1983)
The Music Still Does the Talking (Best Of) (1999)

Whitford/St. Holmes:
Whitford/St. Holmes (1981)