Aerosmith - Aerosmith

...line of the first track, Aerosmith is so full of energy that it seems like the band knew they were at the start of something big. Good Evening People, welcome to the show says it all.

However, the album was released amid "less than total national joy," says guitarist Joe Perry. It was largely ignored by the music press, and the few critics that did notice Aerosmith appeared to dismiss the band as a second-rate imitation ...
...a superficial one because the Aerosmith members were much more technically proficient musicians than the New York Dolls, and their sound was much more hard-rock based than that of the Rolling Stones. As a result the album didn't sell many copies and the band was almost dropped from Columbia Records. However, the poor sales were more a result of laziness on Columbia's part than a reflection of the quality of the album itself. Also, check out the band's ... more

'Aerosmith''s self-titled debut album took just two weeks to record. Over the years, the band has expressed dissatisfaction with their first record because they were so young and inexperienced at the time. Though their signature style isn't fully developed, this is still a great loose and raw record, in spite of - or maybe because of their inexperience. The record successfully captures the magic and energy of an eager, up-and-coming young band and it is a prototype for what was to become American heavy metal in the next two decades. At the time, it's not likely that they knew they were going to become one of the most successful rock bands of all time, but from the opening line of the first track, Aerosmith is so full of energy that it seems like the band knew they were at the start of something big. Good Evening People, welcome to the show says it all.

However, the album was released amid "less than total national joy," says guitarist Joe Perry. It was largely ignored by the music press, and the few critics that did notice Aerosmith appeared to dismiss the band as a second-rate imitation of the Rolling Stones or the New York Dolls. The comparison was a superficial one because the Aerosmith members were much more technically proficient musicians than the New York Dolls, and their sound was much more hard-rock based than that of the Rolling Stones. As a result the album didn't sell many copies and the band was almost dropped from Columbia Records. However, the poor sales were more a result of laziness on Columbia's part than a reflection of the quality of the album itself. Also, check out the band's logo on the album cover, it was very basic and was to evolve along with Aerosmith's music.

Though it wasn't a hit until several years later, Aerosmith features what is arguably the first great ballad in American rock, "Dream On." It is driven by piano, played by Tyler, and is accompanied by great guitar playing. It is a haunting track, and often played live at their concerts. I like the song, especially the live version, which would feature on the 1998 live album "A Little South Of Sanity".

Their debut will always be most renowned for that one song, but there are plenty of other gems on the album too. 'Mama Kin' originates from this album too, with its saxophone and flicking guitars throughout. Although it does sound dated now, the song does sound terrific today when played live. Kramer's drumming skills are shown here along side Hamilton's impressive bass.

The band tend to claim that this album isn't actually their first album, but the second album, 1974's "Get Your Wings' is, due to the fact the things on this album seem quite rough and sketchy, plus most of the stuff here they played in bars before becoming famous

The lyrics 'Good evening people welcome to the show" from 'Make It' opens the album, the song and Aerosmith's career. Although it sounds somewhat tinny, it is a firm favourite of mine from the album - a song which I feel deserves more recognition that it gets. The chorus is great, and the bass throughout is exceptional, and it is apparent from this song alone that the band will be going a long way. 'Somebody' is probably the song from this album that sounds very dated, although for the song still provides some nice hooks vocally, as well as in terms of bass playing. Tyler's voice is evidently not at its developed form - he put a voice on for a majority of the album as he wasn't pleased with his voice. It wasn't until the next album did his true voice surface.

'Write Me A Letter', another favourite of mine despite also souding dated now, also exemplifies Tyler's 'fake voice well, and this voice sounds extremely bluesy, especially so in 'One way Street', a 7minute long blues song housing an effective guitar solo courtesy of Joe Perry. 'One Way Street 'probably drags on a little too long, however a great atmosphere is set up along the way.

The final two songs, 'Walkin' The Dog', which is a cover that The Rolling Stones' also covered on their first album, and 'Movin Out', the first of many Tyler/Perry collaborations, are probably the best songs for showing the potential Aerosmith held within. 'Walkin' The Dog' allowed every band member of Aerosmith to shine, especially bassist Tom Hamilton. 'Movin Out', probably my most favourite song on the album relates to Tyler and Perry moving out once they got their band together, it's bluesy yet at the same time rocks, in a 70s fashion. It features plenty of magnificent guitar work and it is a shame it isn't played live more often.

To conclude things - 'Jaded', 'Pink', 'Crazy', 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' - none of that sort here. I am a fan of both new and old Aerosmith, and there are both aspects I do and don't like for both eras (the poor sound recordings of the earlier songs, and the few less hard rock sounding songs included on newer albums). I had already heard "Movin' Out' and 'Make It' from the 'Pandora's Box' compilation, and that was one of the main reasons I brought this album, that and I only needed this in order to have the entire collection of Aerosmith albums. This is by far the rawest and most blues influenced album, and as could be expected, as with anyband, their roots are explicit here. However, I think it is not until 'Toys In The Attic' and "Rocks' does Aerosmith show just what great musicians they are.

I found my copy at a local CD trader for £3.99! However, www.play.com and www.cd101.com are bound to have this album at a fair price, as is EBay, where copies of this frequent often.
 

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