SirAlex's Full Review: Toys In the Attic by Aerosmith
Edited 3-25-00
Every band has an album where they stop sounding like their influences and really come into their own. Toys in the Attic is that album for Aerosmith. As good as their previous albums were, they all had that definite Yardbirds and Who influence. This is the album where Aerosmith became a national sensation. The band members were far better players by this time after the constant time on the road. It really shows in the song arrangements. All fans of rock music must own this album. It is not only an essential Aerosmith album, but it is an essential American rock and roll album.
The album starts off loud and fast with the power of "Toys in the Attic". This song has such incredible energy that it's a great way to start off the album. The band still uses it as a concert opener even today. Before there was "Janie's Got a Gun" there was "Uncle Salty". Steven Tyler tells the story of a guy named Salty that worked in a home for lost children that has his way with a young girl. Bassist Tom Hamilton wrote the music to this song, as he did for “Janie’s Got a Gun”. But this song has a softer feel to it, and is quite the opposite of “Toys in the Attic”.
Steven Tyler considered “Adam’s Apple” one of the best songs that Aerosmith has ever recorded. It’s hard to argue with the man, because this song has it all: great guitar riffs, an incredible bridge section, and Tyler’s usual spectacular vocal performance. This is followed by another one of the band’s best songs. “Walk This Way” was one of the first rock songs to successfully incorporate funk. Joe Perry wrote one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time for this song. It’s impossible to say enough good things about the band during this era. They were unparalleled musicians.
A fun song, “Big Ten Inch Record” helps to break up the album. The horns and the boogie-style piano give this song an infectious groove. It also showcases Steven Tyler’s harmonica skills. This is followed by one of the band’s most popular songs of all time, “Sweet Emotion”. The lyrics reflect Tyler’s anger with Joe Perry’s soon-to-be wife. But Tyler’s anger aside, this song is great. Not only is the music incredible, but the production is equally impressive. That sucking sound heard between some of the verses is actually handclaps recorded backwards. Jack Douglas’s production techniques helped to propel Aerosmith to new heights.
“Blood stains the ivories of my daddy’s baby grand
I ain’t seen no daylight since I started this band
No more, no more
No more, no more
Store bought clothes fall apart at the seams
Tea leaf readin’ gypsies fortune tellin’ my dreams
No more, no more
No more, no more
Holiday inns lock the door with a chain
You love it then you hate it, but to me they’re all the same
No more, no more
No more, no more”
"No More No More" is an autobiographical account of life on the road in a rock and roll band. It’s another of my favorite songs by Aerosmith. As Steven Tyler once said, “Whenever I got real personal, I got a good lyric out of it.” That is certainly the case with the songs on this album. Even though the truth might not have always been pretty with Aerosmith, their honesty is very refreshing.
Brad Whitford is one of the most underrated guitarists in all of rock, but on the last two songs of Toys in the Attic, he demonstrates his worth to the band. “Round and Round” opens with a barrage of power chords, and is one of the heaviest songs the band has ever recorded. He played nearly every note on the song, which is the first he wrote for the band. The album’s closer, the exceptional “You See Me Crying”, is still one of the band’s best ballads. Featuring a 99-piece orchestra, this song was the band’s most ambitious use of a string section until they recorded “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”. What sets this song apart, is Brad Whitford’s great guitar solo.
This album is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Most people are surprised to learn how old songs like "Walk This Way" are. The timeless qualities of Aerosmith's music are what have kept their fan base so large for so long a time. If you are a rock fan, you must own this album. It has been one of Aerosmith's most successful releases, and for good reason.
Song Selection:
1. Toys in the Attic
2. Uncle Salty
3. Adam's Apple
4. Walk This Way
5. Big Ten Inch Record
6. Sweet Emotion
7. No More No More
8. Round and Round
9. You See Me Crying
Top picks: Walk This Way, Sweet Emotion, No More No More, Adam’s Apple
Band Members:
Steven Tyler: vocals, keyboards, harmonica, percussion
Joe Perry: guitars, vocals, percussion
Brad Whitford: guitars
Tom Hamilton: bass, guitar
Joey Kramer: drums, percussion
Additional Musicians:
Scott Cushnie: piano on tracks 5 and 7
Jay Messina: bass marimba on track 6
Michael Mainieri: orchestra conductor
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