The title says it all. Aerosmith rocks. This was the much-anticipated follow up to Toys in the Attic and it does not disappoint in the least. Released in 1976, this shows Aerosmith in one of their most dynamic and creative phases of their career. All nine songs on this album are incredible. One listen to Rocks and you will have no doubt in your mind who America’s band is. So, have I made it apparent that this album is fantastic? I admit that I have a huge love of Aerosmith and a deep respect for them as musicians. But, this review wasn't written with bias in mind, for this is truly a great rock album (regardless of whose name is on the cover).
The album opens with the dissonant drone of the instantly recognizable "Back in the Saddle." Joe Perry's six-string bass guitar and Steven Tyler's screeching vocals provide the foundation to one of the coolest songs in the entire Aerosmith catalog. The various background sound effects such as whips, foot stomps, and bells give this song a great “live” sound. As guitar legend Joe Perry said in the liner notes to Pandora’s Box, “To me this is the kind of riff and instrumentation that falls outside of the normal formula of a rock song. It was one of those songs that really opened things up for us.”
“Take me back to a south Tallahassee
Down cross the bridge to my sweet sassafrassy
Can't stand up on my feet in the city
Got to get back to the real nitty gritty
Yes sir, No sir
Don't come close to my
Home sweet home
Can't catch no dose
of my hot tail poon-tang sweetheart
sweathog ready to make a silk purse
from a J Paul Getty and his ear
with your face in a beer
Home Sweet Home
Get out in the field, put the mule in the stable
Ma, she's a-cookin' put the eats on the table
Hate's in the City and my love's in the meadow
Hands on the plow and my feets in the ghetto
Stand up, sit down
Don't do nothin'
Ain't no good when boss man's stuffin'
Down their throats with paper notes
as babies cry
When you're rockin' the street
Home Sweet Home
Mamma take me home sweet home
I was the last Child, just a punk in the street”
Brad Whitford and Steven Tyler teamed up to write the classic, “Last Child”. Often the best songs are the simplest ones. This is just a funky little tune that ended up becoming a hit single. “Last Child” segues to the explosive “Rats in the Cellar”. Tyler’s harmonica accompanies the fury of Perry and Whitford’s guitar attack. What I really like about this song is the way it just builds up to an incredible finish. Much like “Back in the Saddle”, this song closes with the band in a free-for-all jam.
"Combination" is the first song where Joe Perry sings lead vocals on an Aerosmith album. He does a good job, although his voice lacks the star quality of Steven Tyler's. Perry’s lyrics are surprisingly introspective, which he wrote about his addictions and coping with stardom. “Nobody’s Fault” is the heaviest song on the album. Tyler sings about his fears, earthquakes and flying. Brad Whitford, the song’s composer, once again shows what a precise guitarist he is. Instead of relying on distortion and other sound effects like many guitarists, his attitude is what makes this song heavy.
The band really shows off their musical prowess on "Sick as a Dog". The song, penned by bassist Tom Hamilton, starts with Hamilton on guitar, Whitford on guitar, and Perry on bass. However, in the bridge where the song slows down, Perry hands the bass to Steven Tyler and grabs a guitar of his own and plays the solo. This was all done in one take! This proves to me conclusively that when Aerosmith was in their prime, no other band could match their musicianship.
“Get the Lead Out” and “Lick and a Promise” are two solid rockers. The brilliant song writing team of Tyler and Perry wrote both songs. “Get the Lead Out” is another mid-tempo funk song, much like “Last Child”. Joey Kramer’s drumming helps give the song a great percussive feel. "Lick and a Promise" is where Tyler's wordplay finds plenty of inspiration, the life of the band. Some of Tyler’s best lyrics come when he is just being honest about what it is like being a member of Aerosmith. Songs like “No More No More” from Toys in the Attic, “No Surprize” from Night in the Ruts, and “Lick and a Promise” from Rocks are some of their best.
The closing ballad, "Home Tonight" is not like the recent string of Aerosmith hit ballads. The lyrics sound like what a young man might say (after a few beers) to a lady he's treated wrong. But the guitar solos on this track show that even on their ballads the band manages to rock.
“Now it's time to say good night to you
Now its time to bid you sweet adieu
Baby, drink a cheer to yesterday
and maybe you'll drink your tears away
So baby, don't let go
Hold on real tight
'cause I'll be home tonight
tonight…”
Song Selection:
1. Back in the Saddle
2. Last Child
3. Rats in the Cellar
4. Combination
5. Sick as a Dog
6. Nobody's Fault
7. Get the Lead Out
8. Lick and a Promise
9. Home Tonight
Top picks: Lick and a Promise, Sick as a Dog, Last Child, Rats in the Cellar
Band Members:
Steven Tyler: vocals, keyboards, harmonica, bass
Joe Perry: guitars, vocals, bass, lap steel guitar
Tom Hamilton: bass, guitar
Brad Whitford: guitar
Joey Kramer: drums, percussion, vocals
Additional Musicians:
Paul Prestopino: banjo on “Last Child”
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.