Just Push Play - Aerosmith (CD 2001)

In 1997, Aerosmith released Nine Lives, an album that saw the band coming close to their true rock roots for the first time since Pump, their 1989 smash. Now, in 2001, the band has returned to record shelves with a hit single (the very catchy Jaded) and a new record, entitled Just Push Play. Sadly however, much like the band's performance at halftime of the Super Bowl with N'Sync, you won't want to hit play, but rather a stop button.

Some of you may find it hard to believe that I listened objectively to this album after I proclaimed that I had lost all respect for them after that Super Bowl debacle. But I did, and I have to say, I'm not impressed.

Musically, the album is very much reminiscent of the band's 1993 huge smash Get A Grip, aka the album with the Alicia Silverstone videos. No, there's no Eat the Rich on here (and thank God for that), but there is a fair share of cruddy ballads, wannabe rock songs that go nowhere, and pop rock songs that end up being the best thing on the album.

The previously mentioned Jaded fits into that latter category, with an admitedly awesome hook and catchy drumwork by Joey Kramer, the song succeeds in bringing Aerosmith back to the radio airwaves so critical to their success. It is also one of the few songs on this record where lead singer Steven Tyler doesn't sound like he's straining to reach every note.

The title track tries it's damndest to be the band's next Walk This Way, melding that band's catch as catch can vocal delivery with an early Red Hot Chili Pepper like musical background, it fails to take off at all.

Lead track Beyond Beautiful is the closest the boys come to reclaiming their old glories on this record, with an opening reminiscent of Taste of India from Nine Lives, but unfortunately Tyler's voice and vocal delivery is completely unbearable. He sounds weak, and as if he has strep throat with every note he sings.

And while the band comes close to rescuing themselves halfway through the album with the infectious Sunshine, the next song, Luv Lies, sounds like a bad Weird Al Yankovich cover of Cryin' from the Get A Grip record...yuck!

While there are a couple of decent jams on here, they aren't enough to justify spending $14 on this record. If you really like Jaded that much, buy the single. HOWEVER, if you loved the Aerosmith of Get a Grip, then this album is right up your alley, and you'll probably be proclaiming how great it is. Sorry, but the band was better when the Toxic Twins were living up to their name.