Rocks - Aerosmith (CD 1993)

In case you've started checking out my work with this review, I Just wrote 2 Consecutive Epinions of Albums from Artists/Groups who hail from Massachusetts.

The others were:

Bobby Brown's "Don't Be Cruel"
http://www.epinions.com/content_115856215684

and

Boston's S/T Debut http://www.epinions.com/content_116687277700

Aerosmith's "Rocks" was released in 1976, the same year as Boston's Debut Album. Both these releases are undeniable Classics and essential to building the foundation of a Rock Library.

As we all know Boston's first album has gone platinum 15 times over. But Aerosmith's "Rocks' hasn't sold as many copies, which perplexes me, I actually think "Rocks' is the better album. I still love Boston, but I've enjoyed the followup ("Don't Look Back") much more. If I were to compare "Rocks" and "Don't Look Back" it would be a tie, but that's not why your reading my review ;)

So Due to the fact "Rocks" 3 Million Sales total is noticeably less than other classic albums from that era I would say it's overlooked and Underrated.

"Rocks" is a perfect recording, not only is each song a Masterpiece, but they all gel together in Cohesive fashion as a whole, to complete the bigger picture. An aspect that would be missed If you skipped over this album and only bought the Hits Compilations which do no justice to this band.

Aerosmith were a band with a Tough, Streetwise attitude. And with them they brought a Thuggish behavior pattern from Stadium to Stadium which would wreak havoc on unsuspecting individuals. Make no mistake, mess around with them and watch a Knife Blade appear, or maybe even a Pistol depending on the circumstance.

And they were never ones to back down from a Challenge or threat. No matter if it was from a Mafia Boss or existing in the form of a Menacing Coke dealer.

And side by side comparisions of 70's Aerosmith to their larger than life counterparts - Say Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles, with respect to those two bands they were on the safe, un-dangerous and "wimpy" side.

Thought I'd mention this for the Rap Reviewers, Aerosmith back in '76 would be the equivalent of "Gangsta" in today's Rap terms. Just my opinion. Feel free to disagree.

If you're shopping for this album on Compact Disc, it is IMPERATIVE that you purchase the 1993 Re-Mastered Edition, whose sound is a Thousandfold improvement over the original 1980's pressings (The Very first CD's of older recordings were transferred from Analog to Digital mediums in a hurry to cash in on the CD Craze, with litle or no concern for Mid-Range or Clarity.) To make sure it's the Remastered version, check the back cover. If it says "24 Bit Digital mastering" on the lower center and "1976, 1993" copyright that's the one, if not keep rummaging through the crates.

The Album cover is nice and simple. Five Diamonds arrainged in a mini "V" Formation. The photo conveys a message which is concise and to the point...This Album "Rocks" and the Band comes off "Tough as Diamonds". The All Black background also deserves complimenting. Unlike the cover to "Toys in the Attic" which looked a bit childish in all honesty.

The Liner Notes are well worth a glimpse, a few neat and organized photo collages of various candid shots of the band, entourage, management, producers etc. Though you might have to squint for a better view, cuz each individual snapshot is tiny. Info is given on who played/produced/engineered/mixed what. The Remastered version gives you a menagerie of related memoribalia, merchandise and T Shirts taken from that particular era. Such as Aerosmith "At the Boston Garden" and "Bicentennial" gear.

"Rocks" was the bands 3rd outstanding album in a row. (1974's "Get Your Wings" was the first), And a slight improvement over it's 1975 predecessor, "Toys in the Attic" where a few songs were great in their own way but a slight departure from their Thuggish trademark sound, on "Rocks" it returns with a full force bombast. In fact it eclipses the Rough and Tumble-ness of "Get Your Wings"!

A Thorough Joey Kramer Snare Drum bashing coupled with a primitive Guitar Lick preludes "Back in the Saddle" which then gives way to A Six String Bass line which draws me in. To my Surprise it's actually played by Lead Axeman Joe Perry, and not Bassist Tom Hamilton like I presumed. Well this arraingement retreats to the background during Steven Tyler's mean verses "I'm calling all the shots at night I'm like a loaded gun". If you only know this band for Sugary Dreck like "Crazy' and "I don't wanna miss a thing", this song is required listening.

"Last Child" was written by Rhythm Guitarist Brad Whitford and Frontman Steven Tyler, who begins wailing "I'm Dreaming" before the ten seconds passed mark. The Guitar solo has a "Screaming" echo effect.

The overall pace shifts to 4th Gear for "Rats in the Cellar". The tone of this song for me is Rebellious and fun. To quote lyrics: "Throw me in the Slam/Catch me if you can". The Twin Guitars dominate the mainframe, and carry the song pretty much all the way through, save for a stuttered Harmonica solo. I have a minor gripe that the Snare Drum sound isn't overpowering at this junction the way it was on the album's opener; it sounds very limp, lacking muscle. Much more Reverb woulda been nice.

"Combination" boasts (arguably) the heaviest Riff the band ever recorded. Written by Joe Perry, it eloquently details the less glamorous pitfalls of Cocaine use. I can't comprehend that some Reviewers dislike this song. There's a dangling guitar element to "Sick As A Dog" that the band would rehash for "Jaded" over two decades later, but that's where the similarities end, cuz this song posseses a backbone unlike that throwaway pop tune I compared it to.

If you Get over-captivated by the Atmospheric-but-not-heavy opening sequence of "Nobody's Fault" you'll be startled, becuause it's a buildup for a frenzied rock-fest. Hard-Hitting like a Clemens fastball, Steven roars with attitude. Almost forgot to mention, that the Snare Drum here is Loud and Powerful returning to the way I like it. Brad and Joe Shred away with a bruising, reckless passion.

The Hook of "Get The Lead Out" is sharper than a Fisherman's. A Funky Groove repeats itself over snagging your mouth and the smooth flowing outro "reels" you in. Tom Hamilton's Bass line for "Lick and A Promise" nearly acts as an additional guitar. There's minute details about this song I enjoy such as the Audience noise as Steven sings "The Crowd keeps screaming for more".

Which brings us to the Albums grand finale, "Home Tonight". As far as Aerosmith ballads go, this one ranks as the Cream Of The Crop. They've wrote other greats but only one can reign supreme. Much better than "You See Me Crying" which dragged on for a few minutes too long, "Home Tonight" is short, concise and to the point. An acoustic Guitar meddles with piano keys. Joe Perry's subtle lick compliments the chorus very well, unlike the ballads they've released since 1993, you can tell they poured their heart and soul into this one. I've heard this song a few hundred times and it still makes me feel warm and tender inside.

After you're done listening to "Rocks" you'll be deeply saddened to realize that this masterful band is appearing onstage next to Britney Spears.

(Actually on second thought, try and scratch that notion)

TRACK LIST:

1. Back in the saddle
2. Last Child
3. Rats in the cellar
4. Combination
5. Sick as a dog
6. Nobody's fault
7. Get the lead out
8. Lick and a promise
9. Home tonight

Big Classic Aerosmith fan logging out

More Aerosmith reviews I wrote:

"Toys in the Attic" :

http://www.epinions.com/content_112624635524

"Permanent Vacation" :

http://www.epinions.com/content_108718820996

"Done With Mirrors" :

http://www.epinions.com/content_108699291268