SirAlex's Full Review: Nine Lives [PA] by Aerosmith
Edited 3-11-00
When I learned that Aerosmith was coming out with a new studio album in early 1997, I rushed to the store to buy it when it was released. I was eager to hear what direction the band would take. After hearing the first single, "Falling in Love", on the radio I was a little skeptical about the coming album. It’s a decent song, but not really strong enough to have been the first single. I was hoping the band would recapture the rocking intensity that had been missing from their previous studio album, Get a Grip. Fortunately, once I got "Nine Lives" in my hands (and consequently in my stereo) my fears were abated.
The squeeling feedback and cat calls that open the album are a signal that this album is meant for those who still like their rock and roll to be raw. What makes this album better than its predecessor, "Get a Grip", is the nonstop pace and way the songs groove together. The album’s opener, “Nine Lives” is a great example of the band’s furious energy. Brad Whitford’s three distinct guitar solos showcase this underrated musician’s talent. “Falling in Love” is the second song and continues where the first song left off. One of the band’s better ballads, “Hole in my Soul” is the third song. Although it’s hidden behind Steven Tyler’s powerful vocal performance, the guitar work is nothing short of superb.
“Taste of India” is one of the most unique songs the band has ever written, with its eastern feel. This phenomenal blending of guitars, strings, bass, Indian sarangi, and drums was a surprise even to a jaded rock fan like me. “Full Circle” is a great drinking song, written by a band that has been sober for about 14 years. This is by far, one of my favorite songs of all time. Another personal favorite from this album is the mid-tempo rocker “Ain’t That B*tch”. One of the heaviest songs on the album is “Attitude Adjustment”. The album’s closer, “Fallen Angels” is a beautiful ballad. It has a lot of attitude that is missing from some of the band’s other ballads they’ve done in their career, especially with a slide guitar solo by Joe Perry.
Just listen to the harmonica driven rockers "Something's Gotta Give" and "Crash" to hear the band locked into a groove. The strange “The Farm” shows Aerosmith at their most bizarre, complete with sound bytes from The Wizard of Oz. Other good changes of pace include the mostly acoustic song dedicated to the pink ("Pink") and the song that teaches that love is like the right dress on the wrong girl (Ain't That a B*tch").
All in all, this album never stops. Even the ballads have an extra little push not present in their previous slow songs (especially "Kiss Your Pass Good-Bye"). You'll like it. Trust me. My biggest complaint is the lack of song writing contributions by Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford for the second straight album.
Oh, yeah, "Full Circle" is awesome when they play it live. Which reminds me of when I saw them in concert on 5-1-99. It was in Denver the week following the shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton. Aerosmith was even planning to cancel the show in the wake of the event. But they chose to play, even calling one of the students on a cell phone a few songs into the set. They played "Kiss Your Past Goodbye" in the encore with the hope we could listen to the lyrics and learn to put behind us all the bad things in our lives. These guys know a little bit about personal tragedy, so maybe we better listen!
Song Selection:
1. Nine Lives
2. Falling in Love
3. Hole in my Soul
4. Taste of India
5. Full Circle
6. Something's Gotta Give
7. Ain't That a B*tch
8. The Farm
9. Crash
10. Kiss Your Past Goodbye
11. Pink
12. Attitude Adjustment
13. Fallen Angels
Top picks: Taste of India, Full Circle, Ain’t That a B*tch, Attitude Adjustment, Fallen Angels
Songs to Skip: none
Band Members:
Steven Tyler: lead vocals, keyboards, piano, hammer dulcimer,
percussion, hand organ, and harmonica
Joe Perry: guitar, dulcimer, slide guitar, background vocals
Brad Whitford: guitar, acoustic guitar
Joey Kramer: drums
Tom Hamilton: bass, chapman stick
Additional Musicians:
John Webster: keyboards
Ramesh Mishra: sarangi
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