SirAlex's Full Review: Just Push Play by Aerosmith
Yes, like Cher I have nearly reached the century mark. And I find it only fitting to celebrate this occasion by rejoicing rock’s all-time greatest band, Aerosmith, and their new release Just Push Play.
First I should start with a lecture.
Rock and roll isn’t dead. It will die only if we allow it too. Far too many people are willing to bury their head in the sand like an ostrich and not admit that there are other musical styles out there. I for one find it hard to consider rap or boy bands true ‘art’. But, nonetheless they have become very popular and profitable facets to music. It is not the first time that non-guitar music has dominated the scene, going back to new wave and disco (and even punk, less face it- they can’t even tune a guitar let alone play a chord).
Rock music is in a constant state of evolution. Going back to the blues and country inspired rock and roll of the 50s through the hippie movement of the 60s, the role of the guitar in popular music became more apparent. Through the 70s, blues-based hard rock became the standard as groups like Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, and Aerosmith took the lead. But the 70s also saw rock music become increasingly diverse, incorporating elements of everything from funk to classical. The genres of progressive rock, heavy metal, and punk were born.
When disco came everyone claimed that rock music would not survive, but it was the diversity of the 70s that kept it alive through the early 80s. After disco left, there was still a vast amount of guitar music to choose from. Even though many heavy metal bands indulged in too much make-up and hairspray, leading to a second punk-like movement (grunge), there were many respectable rock bands to be found. Even the Rolling Stones were still recording.
The 90s saw the music scene become even more eclectic. Grunge and alternative were now the mainstream. And as rap, hip-hop, and electronica/techno took the limelight, rock bands were once again forced to adapt. A lot of groups started to incorporate these styles into their own. It helps to bridge the gap between rock and the other genres and demonstrates the importance of listening with an open mind. The music will survive as long as we allow it to evolve.
Getting to my point, Aerosmith has always been at the forefront of those changes. It’s not that they are abandoning their roots. Even in the 70’s their style was in constant motion, which leads to wonder why everyone who wants the ‘old’ Aerosmith to return doesn’t realize that. Every single album from the 70’s has its own discernible style, much like their later albums all strive for a different sound. Ballads aren’t something new, either. But, Joe Perry will admit that he’s warmed up to the slower songs in recent years and sees it as part of being an entertainer to include members of the audience who don’t listen to blues or hard rock.
I don’t measure Aerosmith’s importance in terms of record sales (nearly 100 million) or even their relevance. It’s the fact that they have always been willing to take risks and add vitality to rock and roll. Also, they are the only band whose current album (Just Push Play) is as important to today’s generation as Toys in the Attic was for their parents. And their importance to me I can’t begin to describe. Since I was eight I’ve been into Aerosmith. It’s hard to explain why exactly, but they serve as my primary inspiration in music. Plus, their comeback both personally and professionally is one of the greatest stories ever told. They’ve taught me that you have to live each day.
But, these guys don’t need defending. They’ve proven themselves in the last thirty years as being the best at what they do. Even their least successful albums are better than most groups’ best. So, to any critics of Aerosmith I can only say this: Unless you are able to prove that you have the desire, energy, creativity, and talent to survive the music business then the only contribution you will ever make to music is your opinion.
Well, that’s done. On to Just Push Play (yes, I do intend to review it in this article)…
I pulled up to Best Buy on March 6th just as the doors were opening. Honestly, I didn’t intend to arrive at the store just as it was opening, but it was a cool feeling. I’ve bought their last four releases on the day they’ve come out. Hopefully there will be a couple more in the future. When I got home and cranked it in the impressive sound system my roommates have designed, I was really shocked at how good it was. In fact, some of the songs I didn’t really listen to, because I was still reeling from how good the song before it was. A few stuck out in my head immediately, “Just Push Play”, “Avant Garden”, and “Luv Lies”. But I’ve grown to love them all, and have been listening to the album constantly pretty much since I got it.
The rollicking open track, “Beyond Beautiful” starts the album off with a bang. It sounds like the heavier tracks from Nine Lives (a la “Attitude Adjustment”) and features some precise sky-slicing guitar solos. At 53, Steven Tyler proves he still has the push in his lungs to deliver a great performance. From the title, you might think this song would be a ballad, but it proves to be a stellar rock song. One of the most pleasant surprises would be the title track. It features all the groove of their previous hip-hop laced efforts (“Walk This Way”, “What Kind of Love Are You On” to name a couple) but this song stands up very well on its own. Musically it’s fairly straightforward, so Tyler really has to make this song with his Jamaican voicing in the verses and harmonized choruses.
“Jaded”, released as the first single, is the third song on the album. It is just so damn catchy. It has everything that we expect from Aerosmith: a great hook, sing-a-long chorus, layered guitars and vocals, and foot-tapping groove. It has been climbing up the charts even as I type this, and the video is intriguing as well. The band seems to have a never-ending supply of hit making stashed up their sleeve. A track destined to be maligned by die-hard 70s Aerosmith fans is “Fly Away From Here”. Lyrically speaking, it’s not the strongest ballad the band has ever recorded, but I still find it be emotive and moving. And those naysayers are way off base; the band recorded plenty of piano ballads during their drug days (“Dream On”, “You See Me Crying”, “Home Tonight”, “Mia”, “Cry Me a River”…)
One of the most fun tracks is the grooving “Trip Hoppin’”. This continues in the band’s tradition of incorporating a horn section (this time it’s Tower of Power) with their standard metaphor-filled rock. This was something that was missing from Nine Lives, and the band surpasses the precedent set with such horn-flavored tunes as “The Other Side” and “Chiquita”. The song that took the most listens for me to warm up to was “Sunshine”. It wasn’t that many listens, mind you, and I now see it to be undeniably Aerosmith. It is an upbeat and happy tune, and doesn’t feel like filler at all. There are a number of tasty guitar fills thrown in as well as a neat solo made up of volume swells.
A big production number is “Under My Skin”. This is a song that you could tell they put a lot of work into the mix. It is a blend of everything from horns to harmonica and even a bit of backing vocals by Tyler’s daughter, Chelsea. The track is really edgy and seems on the verge of musical anarchy. But Aerosmith has the talent to pull it off flawlessly. The drumming and guitar solos over the bridge section show the guys are anything but soft. The next track really struck me the first time I listened to it. Reminiscent of “Crazy”, “Luv Lies” is a bit of country-influenced sass. I really like this song, I must admit. I’m not a huge fan of “Crazy”, but this offering is much stronger. I imagine everyone sometime will get to hear this song on the radio.
I feel that the second half of the album is stronger than the first, although it doesn’t have as much hit single potential. The next five tracks are the reason why.
“All the way back in history
how a girl thinks is a mystery
we spend our lives cruising the bars
the venus girls and the men from mars
so in all this time did you ever think
do the girls see red when a man sees pink?”
“Outta Your Head” is perhaps my favorite on the album, although I have difficulty pinpointing the best track exactly. It has a great bassline supporting Steven Tyler’s demented rap. The turntables are a nice touch, and the band slips into an anthemic chorus with wicked subtlety. I’m just blown away by this song and really can’t find too much else to say about it. Tom Hamilton is still the man. An infectious drum-loop and Joe Perry’s lead vocals carry “Drop Dead Gorgeous” into the Aerosmith catalog. The production and mix again deserve a huge nod, which proves that the Toxic Twins are a real force no matter which end of the glass they are in the studio. But I’m puzzled by the lyrics. What do they mean when they say “she’s tasting like cherries?”
“Light Inside” seems to be a track that some people can’t get into. I think they need a slap to the head. The slide guitar riff alone should make this an Aerosmith classic. But this song rocks in all aspects. I really dig the chorus, even if the lyrics aren’t that strong. This is not candy store rock and roll, corporation jellyroll… this is rocking Aerosmith at their best. If you can’t see the connection to the album Rocks, then you obviously didn’t listen to either album closely. The album’s closer is a masterpiece. It is as ambitious a number as Nine Lives’ “Fallen Angels”. This arrangement isn’t as subtle, but still contains a brilliant slide guitar solo. “Avant Garden” is a title I loved immediately, and is arguably the best track on the album.
If you went to Best Buy as I did, you’ll be treated to a thirteenth track titled “Face”. It is strong enough to have been included on the regular album and shouldn’t be missed. It is an acoustic track, which is something the band doesn’t do too often. The lyrics are a bit different than you’ll find on most Aerosmith’s albums as well. There are still some double entendres, but it has a twinge of regret they haven’t touched on since “Remember (Walking in the Sand)”. After about a minute of silence, you are treated to a reprise of the bridge of “Under My Skin”. This is also available on the “Jaded” single. It is neat and leaves you wondering what the next chapter in the Aerosmith saga will be.
To summarize, this album is as awesome as any in the band’s catalog. Their sound is always evolving, but they still have their own style. People don’t expect rock music to be intelligent and want their art spoon-fed to them, which is why some of them have had problems enjoying the band’s last couple of albums. And you know they’d still complain if they released Toys in the Attic Part Two. So, don’t listen to them… judge for yourself. But I have to tell you that if you pass up this album then you are really missing out on the some of the best rock of the last few years.
28 years of Aerosmith… full of whorin’ and warrin’, but never borin’.
16 months on epinions and 98 articles later…...
Track Listing:
1. Beyond Beautiful
2. Just Push Play
3. Jaded
4. Fly Away From Here
5. Trip Hoppin’
6. Sunshine
7. Under My Skin
8. Luv Lies
9. Outta Your Head
10. Drop Dead Gorgeous
11. Light Inside
12. Avant Garden
13. Face
Top Picks: Outta Your Head, Avant Garden, Light Inside, Just Push Play, Jaded
Songs to Skip: anything by Kid Rock
Band Members:
Steven Tyler: vocals, harmonica, keyboards, squeezebox, guitar
Joe Perry: guitars, vocals, other stuff
Brad Whitford: guitars
Tom Hamilton: electric bass
Joey Kramer: drums, percussion
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