How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Average
Value for Money
Advantages:
It's Aerosmith
Disadvantages:
Only 9 Tracks
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
The album 'Draw The Line' was released in December, 1977 under the label Columbia Records. It is Aerosmith's 5th studio album.It was produced by: Jack Douglas and Aerosmith themselves and recorded at: The Cenacle in Armonk, NY and the Record Plant, New York, NY
After years of none stop touring and recording the band was beginning to become run down. This, combined with the hectic rock and roll lifestyle began to cause problems for Aerosmith as they worked on their 5th album,' Draw The Line'
The band members claim that their music began to turn "cloudy" due to fights, heavy drug use and fatigue "The Beatles made their 'White Album,'" says Joe Perry. "We made our 'Black Out' album."
Problems placed aside, 'Draw the Line' became Aerosmith's third platinum record. People claim that this album is not up to scratch with the likes of Toys In The Attic or Rocks, but I think it is, despite their drug problems at the time.
The albums 'Rocks' and 'Toys in the Attic' had been experimental, Draw the Line was a return to simple, straighforward blues-based hard rock.
Tyler and Perry were often to high on drugs to finish most of the material on this album, and so Hamilton, Kramer and Whtford had to finish most of it. I think it's great that the other members got involved, I wish that they did now days with the newer material. Also, only 3 tracks are written by Tyler/Perry as a team.
The album cover is rather simple. Caricture pencil drawings of the band members. Black and white. As simple as that.
Lead Vocals: Steven Tyler Joe Perry: Guitrar/ Backing vocals Joey Kramer: Percussion and drums Tom Hamilton: Bass Brad Whitford: Guitars
Draw The Line: Duration: 3:24 Written by: Steven Tyler/ Joe Perry
The track which the album is named after. This fast paced hard rock song is based around a simple yet effective guitar riff. I think if this song was a little harder it may have been more effective. Tyler really gives it some hard screaming towards the end on the lines: 'Check mate don't be late take another pull, that's right impossible to be yourself, your the boss the toss the dice take another slice!' It is, despite the fact not up to the par of the track Toys In The Attic from the album of the same name, a satisfying track.
I Wanna Know Why: Duration: 3:09 Written By: Steven Tyler/ Joe Perry
I Wanna Know Why showcases the band's blues-rock roots. Starting with a drum beat, and followed by some wavering guitars, I Wanna Know Why is a rocking song with some saxaphone backing. It follows nicely from the last track and is a catchy tune. Much easier to sing a long to than the last track. A nice simple track.
Critical Mass. Duration: 4:52 Written By: Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton, Douglas
Starting with the drums, bass and guitars fading on, it then a establishes a nice beat. Followed by Tylers' hollowing yells of: "Arriving in boats! Black hooded coats". This track includes a piano in the background but is no where near a ballard, it is a nice bluesy - rock song. One of the best lines being: "Celebrate,celebrate, celebrake it! This is critical mass!" which is projected by Tyler's shouts. It is one of my favourite tracks on the album for sure because it's just something different.
Get It Up. Duration: 4:02 Written by: Steven Tyler/ Joe Perry
This sounds similar to "Draw The Line" instrument wise. I didn't use to be a fan of this song as it just didn't do anything for me. (Although the live performances of it do). The chorus is catchy and simple: Can't get it up, gotta get it up, get it up' repeated a few times. The way the more heavy music suddenly changes for the chorus on 2:33 marker, accompanied by Tyler's singing is one of my favourite parts. It took me a few listens to get to like it, but I do now!
Bright Light Fright: Duration: 2:20 Written By: Joe Perry
A short fast paced heavy track written by Joe Perry himself. Joe Perry takes lead vocals and Tyler provides backing vocals on the choruses. The fast guitar work is exceptional. Pure raw 70's rock music - it is fantastic! The track starts like the recent Aerosmith track 'Lizard Love' actually. The fact it is a short song is what gives this little fast hard rock song it's individuality on the album.
Kings And Queens: Duration: 4:55 Written by: Tom Hamilton/ Joey Kramer/ Steven Tyler/ Brad Whitford/ Douglas.
The song writer credits show that this song took some team work. A nice rock song about the government, kings, queens and guillotines. The song changes tune a few times throughout. It starts slow, and reaches a "psycho" style stage of music, then speeds up with heavy guitars and bass, gets slower, and ends. It really is a classic! The track manages to conjur a meanacing and corrupted environment.
The Hand That Feeds: Duration: 4:23 Written By: Tom Hamilton/ Joey Kramer/ Steven Tyler/ Brad Whitford/ Douglas.
Joe Perry did not co write this song, neither was he actually present to play the guitar on this track! A major pointer that Aerosmith is begining to crumble. The track, "The Hand That Feeds", is a great rock song and begins with Tyler yelling "Doctor, doctor, doco!!" Its actually very catchy. It took me a few listens to like it actually, but now its a firm favourite. I really like the guitar effect mid way through, it reminds me of an elastic band being 'twanged'! The build up near the end is great. Shame it was never played live.
Sight For Sore Eyes: Duration: 3:55 Written By: Tyer/ Perry/Douglas/ Johansen.
Sight For Sore Eyes is a good rock tune, but appears to be a bit repetative. This track is Steven Tyler's favourite track from the album, although I am inclined to disagree that it is. Tyler does some fantastic screams and the guitar playing (Joe Perry is present again) is great, the track just doesn't seem as good as the rest. I think it sounds MUCH better played live.
Milk Cow Blues: Duration: 4:14 Written By: Arnold - Arrangment By Aerosmith
Milk Cow Blues is a cover, and it is well done at that. Great guitar playing, as well as singing from Tyler. Let's not forget the bass and drums in this song though, which are also in top form. The song is a bluesy rocker and shows off Aerosmith's roots yet again.
The highlights of the album to me are:
Draw The Line, Critical Mass, Bright Light Fright, Kings And Queens, I Wanna Know Why and The Hand That Feeds and Get It Up.
It may be an old album now, but with Aerosmith's new release (Honkin on Bobo), new fans may be encouraged to this album to explore Aerosmith's past.
The song credits indicate how fragmented the band was becoming at this stage and this does show in the album to a degree. Had they worked harder together and avoided the problems, the tracks on this album could probably have been improved. However, the album does sport great tracks and the album provides an insight to the band before they fell in the pit (and break up) due to their drug usage.
