With new dates added by popular demand at the MGM in Las Vegas , Aerosmith: the world's greatest American hard rock band is in no way ready to call it quits. With 46 years in the business in the books, it's hard to forget how many songs the band has penned during that timeline . Here at top 10 deep cuts that need further listening and/or need more recognition .
10. "Woman of the World" Get Your Wings (1974)
The closing track to side 1 on the bands stronger sophomore album , the song was penned by Steven Tyler before he joined Aerosmith with his former band member of Chain Reaction Don Solomon. The song proves that Aerosmith can groove at any tempo . It's a groovy jam in A with a steady yet effective beat provided by Joey Kramer . Tyler's voice in particular shines on this track because he's all over the place with it (in a good way) he goes from soulful to scream so naturally and this song proves that he can be the so versatile .
9. "Hangman's Jury" Permanent Vacation (1987)
Done With Mirrors from 1985 was officially the first comeback album for Aerosmith after years of personal issues and drug and allchol problems were finally curbed , but Vacation really shot the band back into the limelight and fame . The song has catchy FM hits like Rag Doll and Angel , but this song is the standout . It shows that Aerosmith are firm deciples of the blues and their love for it . With Tyler's harmonica chops at the begging , the whole song is a great blues stomp and a damn good time.
8. "Movin Out" Aerosmith (1973)
The 7th song from the bands debut album , the song was created over a guitar lick Joe Perry would use use to warm up with . The song was recorded in the bands apartment on a waterbed at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston . Out of the gate , the band wanted to show that the blues was the greatest art form. You can really hear Joe Perry's influences of Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck both rhythmically and lead wise.
7. "Toy's in the Attic" Toys in the Attic (1975)
The opening title track to Aerosmith's 3rd album , the song kicks it into high gear with thumping guitars, drums, and bass . Musically , the song is defiantly a tip of the hat to early punk rockers Iggy Pop and the Stooges and The New York Dolls.
6. "Get the Lead Out" Rocks (1976)
The funkiest and most groovin song from the bands masterpiece studio album is a testament to their legacy .Tyler singing with such swagger and the groovy guitar lick by Joe Perry and Brad Withford are just blissful . What's really the icing on the cake is that the guitar is tuned down a half step, which is unusual because with Tyler's vocal range , he can sing the dictionary and it would sound slick, but it works , because its Aerosmith.
5. "Eat The Rich" Get a Grip (1993)
By 1993, Grunge and alternative rock was becoming a force to be to reckon with . Bands like the Smashing Pumpkins released their landmark album Siamese Dream and grunge gods Pearl Jam with their sophomore album VS you couldn't escape the impact . Aerosmith came hitting hard with a song called "Eat the Rich".With the George of the Jungle like opening with maracas and Tyler's screams resembling a chimpanzee , Perry's incredible riff and solo and even impressive drum chops from Joey Kramer, this song proved that Aerosmith were here to stay, no matter the decade.
4. "Let the Music do the Talking" Done With Mirrors (1985)
The bands comeback album from 1985 was the first new batch of material since the bands poorly received album Night In the Ruts and with the band fully clean and sober. This rocking jam in G with was originally composed by Joe Perry with his side band the Joe Perry Project when Aerosmith was on hiatus. Aerosmith's take is superior for obviously reasons . Tyler back with killer swag and vocals , and the standout is the slide guitar which was a real treat.
3. "No More No More" Toys In the Attic (1975)
This Toys in the Attic gem is a favorite among loyal fans , including myself . The main reason for me why it stands out is the guitar work provided by Joe Perry .It combines an arppegiated opening , then shuffles into a B blues and then alternating back to the arppegiated sequence. To top it off, the song is in a alternative tuning which is E5 in which the A string is tuned to B, and the D and G strings are tuned to be in unison to E.
2. "Adams Apple" Toys In the Attic (1975)
Quite possibly the best slide guitar work done by Joe Perry and Brad Withford . The song oozes classic Aerosmith. Tyler sings as narriator as the song is a play on the story of Adam and Eve and how both were tempted to eat the forbidden fruit . Of course , it's in true Aerosmith fashion that song is also hinting on love and lust , and it's perfect .
1. "Sick As a Dog" Rocks (1976)
Rocks , in its entirelty , is an album that shows the band at it's most raw and powerful . It is cited to many critics and fans as their finest work. The album was a key influence on fellow hard rock and Heavy Metal bands such as Guns N Roses, Metallica , and even Grunge gods Nirvana. This track is one of the most overlooked songs on the album and from the band in general . Tom Hamilton , who is the bassiest, plays the iconic opening riff which is heavy influenced by The Byrds . It has that jangly , arppegiated feel . Just everything about this song musically perfect , The band is so tight and play so raw, it's more of a garage jam than a studio recording , and it's Aerosmith's cream of the crop.
Friday, July 19, 2019
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
American Recordings: Jonny Cash's stripped down masterpiece
The year is 1994. Grunge and 90's alternative is at the top of it's game. Bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Weezer were ruling the airwaves. Then on April 26th of that year , the unthinkable happened . Producer Rick Rubin, who was known for producing the Red Hot Chili Pepper's landmark album Blood, Sugar, Sex, and Magik, and Tom Petty's sophomore album Wildflowers made the album that bought The Man In Black back into the limelight . That album is American Recordings.
By 1994, Cash was 62. His record sales in the late 70's and throughout the 80's were at a decline . Despite being a member of the country supergroup the Highwaymen with fellow country legends Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson , Cash's solo work had been quiet . But no one knew Johnny Cash's music more than Rick Rubin. For the recording process , Rubin allowed Cash to record in his living room with his Martin guitar, and that is the reason why this album has aged like a fine wine . It's Cash, his haunting and beautiful baritone vocals, and his guitar. That's the magic behind this album .
The whole album is a masterpiece, but if we're going to pick out key tracks , my two picks are "Delia's Gone" (which Cash previously recorded ) and "The Beast in Me"
Cash's songwriting is so prolific and it shows in both of the tracks . "Delia's Gone" lyrics are so unlike Cash, but he makes it work. Cash plays the role of a husband who would of had Delia as a wife, if he didn't find her in a saloon and shot her down. With lyrics like "First time I shot her, I shot her in the side. It was hard to watch her suffer , but with the second shot she died." only Cash would make violent intentions musically fitting .
"The Beast in Me" was written by Cash's son in law Nick Lowe, but Cash made it his own . With it's lyrics of pain and sorrow , it fit Cash. Cash isn't afraid of pain and sorrow, with the lost of his older brother when he was younger and years of drug and alcohol abuse .
American Recordings is one Johnny Cash's most intimate as a songwriter . It's Cash at his rawest , both lyrically and musically. It's a testament to his legacy, his fans , and it's one of his best studio albums ever.
By 1994, Cash was 62. His record sales in the late 70's and throughout the 80's were at a decline . Despite being a member of the country supergroup the Highwaymen with fellow country legends Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson , Cash's solo work had been quiet . But no one knew Johnny Cash's music more than Rick Rubin. For the recording process , Rubin allowed Cash to record in his living room with his Martin guitar, and that is the reason why this album has aged like a fine wine . It's Cash, his haunting and beautiful baritone vocals, and his guitar. That's the magic behind this album .
The whole album is a masterpiece, but if we're going to pick out key tracks , my two picks are "Delia's Gone" (which Cash previously recorded ) and "The Beast in Me"
Cash's songwriting is so prolific and it shows in both of the tracks . "Delia's Gone" lyrics are so unlike Cash, but he makes it work. Cash plays the role of a husband who would of had Delia as a wife, if he didn't find her in a saloon and shot her down. With lyrics like "First time I shot her, I shot her in the side. It was hard to watch her suffer , but with the second shot she died." only Cash would make violent intentions musically fitting .
"The Beast in Me" was written by Cash's son in law Nick Lowe, but Cash made it his own . With it's lyrics of pain and sorrow , it fit Cash. Cash isn't afraid of pain and sorrow, with the lost of his older brother when he was younger and years of drug and alcohol abuse .
American Recordings is one Johnny Cash's most intimate as a songwriter . It's Cash at his rawest , both lyrically and musically. It's a testament to his legacy, his fans , and it's one of his best studio albums ever.
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