After the original Aerosmith lineup reunited in February of 1984 they launched the most successful comeback in rock and roll history. Of course, it wasn’t easy and didn’t occur overnight. The band’s 1985 album, Done With Mirrors, was virtually ignored by both the public and the media. Also, the band was hopelessly in debt and had crippling drug addictions. But by 1987 the band had a successful tour and had gotten sober. The albums they released after that point on Geffen records are chronicled on Big Ones.
1987’s Permanent Vacation was Aerosmith’s true comeback album. The hit singles “Angel”, “Rag Doll”, and “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” introduced the band to the MTV audience and made them stars again. These three songs are included on this compilation. “Angel” is the first of the band’s recent string of power ballad hits. Steven Tyler’s scatting vocals and the tight horn section of “Rag Doll” make it one of the band’s best songs. Joe Perry’s slide guitar is what really drives this song. Tyler tells the story of an encounter with a transvestite in “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”.
After the massive success of Permanent Vacation, the band returned in 1989 with the monster hit Pump. If there is any question as to how great this album was, four of its ten songs are included on Big Ones. “Love in an Elevator” is one of the band’s most rocking tunes. The guitar interplay between Brad Whitford and Joe Perry leaves no doubt who rock’s most talented guitar team is. The horn driven groove of “The Other Side” is a welcome change of pace on this ballad heavy disc. Two of the most powerful songs on Big Ones come from Pump. “What it Takes” is an incredible break-up ballad exploring a person’s state of mind following the end of a relationship. The vivid imagery of “Janie’s Got a Gun” gives the listener a chill down his or her spine as they hear the story of a daughter sexually abused by her father.
Four years later the band returned with Get a Grip. This album featured an equal mix of ballads and rockers. Several of the ballads are included on Big Ones. “Cryin’” and “Crazy” both chronicle love gone bad. I really like "Cryin'", but "Crazy" is one of the band's weaker songs. On “Amazing” Steven Tyler bares his soul, recalling his days of intense drug use and his eventual sobriety. This song builds to an unbelievable Joe Perry guitar solo. “Eat the Rich” is an incredible blues based rocker with a twist. The intro features Polynesian log drums, not exactly a common approach in rock and roll. “Livin’ on the Edge” is the band’s anthem, addressing the apathy that is so rampant in our society.
Three songs are included here that did not appear previously on an Aerosmith album. “Deuces Are Wild” was originally recorded for Pump, but was not included once “The Other Side” was recorded. This song is a fabulous ballad and showcases Tyler’s incredible vocal range. In April of 1994 the band recorded two new songs specifically for this album. “Walk On Water” is a fast and furious harmonica driven rocker that is the album’s opener. “Blind Man” is the other and was written with Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw of the Damn Yankees.
This album does a great job of chronicling the band’s comeback. If a consumer does not wish to purchase the band’s albums from 1987 to 1993 then this would be a worthwhile investment.
Song Selection:
1. Walk on Water (previously unreleased)
2. Love in an Elevator (from Pump)
3. Rag Doll (from permanent Vacation)
4. What it Takes (from Pump)
5. Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (from Permanent Vacation)
6. Janie’s Got a Gun (from Pump)
7. Cryin’ (from Get a Grip)
8. Amazing (from Get a Grip)
9. Blind Man (previously unreleased)
10. Deuces Are Wild (from the Beavis & Butthead Experience)
11. The Other Side (from Pump)
12. Crazy (from Get a Grip)
13. Eat the Rich (from Get a Grip)
14. Angel (from Permanent Vacation)
15. Livin’ on the Edge (from Get a Grip)
Top picks: Walk on Water, Love in an Elevator, Rag Doll, Deuces Are Wild
Songs to Skip: Crazy
Band Members:
Steven Tyler: vocals, keyboards, mandolin, harmonica
Joe Perry: guitars, dulcimer, vocals
Brad Whitford: guitars
Tom Hamilton: bass
Joey Kramer: drums, percussion
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