Greatest Hits - Aerosmith

...Avril Lavigne, Athelete then Aerosmith's greatest hits...well doesn't take a genius to work out which I'm going to take a listen to does it. The plastic cased cover has a nice that when the case is opend "flat" looks rather attractive, the inlay book is album history and credits (why no lyrics?) and the back of the case has the song list.

This world famous band, who've been together for well over 30 years, are considered ...
...by the always charismatic Steven Tyler (Mick Jagger lookey likey or what?) have managed a longevity many modern bands would be happy with and more so, they have been performing at a high level for the marjority of it.

So now back onto the album, the opening track "Dream on" was sampled by Eminem in his song "Sing for the moment", however unlike Eminem's song which goes the way of rap this is a piano based rock ballad. ... more

So going through a pile of my mums CD I spot Westlife, Madonna, Avril Lavigne, Athelete then Aerosmith's greatest hits...well doesn't take a genius to work out which I'm going to take a listen to does it. The plastic cased cover has a nice that when the case is opend "flat" looks rather attractive, the inlay book is album history and credits (why no lyrics?) and the back of the case has the song list.

This world famous band, who've been together for well over 30 years, are considered one of the staple's of American rock, the band led by the always charismatic Steven Tyler (Mick Jagger lookey likey or what?) have managed a longevity many modern bands would be happy with and more so, they have been performing at a high level for the marjority of it.

So now back onto the album, the opening track "Dream on" was sampled by Eminem in his song "Sing for the moment", however unlike Eminem's song which goes the way of rap this is a piano based rock ballad. Considered as one of the bands 3 "signature songs" and in the top 200 rock songs of all time according to rolling stone magazine, it makes a fantastic start to the album. A fantastic song, but would perhaps make a better ending to an album that an opener (just my opinion, and not a dig at the album, and it opens due to the chronology of the recordings). 9/10

The second track "Same old song and dance", this track was taken off Aerosmiths second album "Get your wings", and is based largely around a riff that Joe Perry came up with. The songs best remembered for the duelling guitars of Perry and Whitford with the brilliant vocals of Tyler playing to the guitar beats. The happy feeling to the song is given from the fast pace that gets you wanting to nod your head. Despite the track not having the chart sucess it deserves it has remained a rock classic on radio for the best part of 30 years, a testament to band in it's self. 9/10

"Sweet emotion", Another song which battles for the title of being Aerosmiths signature song and helped laucnh their smash album "Toys in the attic". The song takes a bit more of a radio friendly rock style than the two earlier songs on the album. Written by Tyler and Hamilton and released in 1975, it was the bands first real hit, relying more on the catchy hook and rivaling guitars, which became a trademark of the band. The use of a guitar talk box at the start and angry but yet restrained lyrics help the song have a juxtaposition with the title. 9/10

"Walk this way", This for me is the Aerosmith song, you can keep everything else Areosmith ever did as long as I can listen to this '70's smash, and immediate classic. The remake almost 10 years after the original (featuring Run DMC) is basically one of the best clashes of genres ever created. The drum and heavy typical rock guitar intro before Tylers vocals screech into action, with arguable one of THE guitar riffs, the catchy feel and high paced tempo with a chorus you can't help but sing along to. Personally I'd rather of had the remake on the album, but I cant find a single fault with this, the delivery of every single second is a wonder to hear and makes the song worthy of the album price alone. 11/10.

"Last Child", This starts almost dream like somewhat psychodellic before Tylers voice snaps into place and the song takes an almost blues feel to it with a real slow boogie sound playing in the back ground. The song is the first from "Rocks" to be on the album and gives a hip swaying feel to the album. Apparently the song was based loosely around the sound "The masters" were producing at the time of the release. 8/10

"Back in the saddle", This track is also from "Rocks" and unlike the previous track it takes a much more angry and twisted sound. The songs lyrics have strong sexual and cowboy based references, with strong heavy growling like guitar sounds, whilst Tylers vocals sound explosive. The third release from "Rocks" reached 38# on the billboard top 100 in America at the time. The track ends with Tyler yodelling and scream whilst the guitars are in full flow, giving the song a wonderfully open sonic sounding of an ending. 8/10

"Draw the line", Taken from the album "Draw the line" as the first single and again has a quick-fire sound, with sharp vocals and strong guitar riffs. A typical Aerosmith song with the backwards fighting of the two lead guitarist, the over the top vocal style of Tyler the strong bass and drums, with the simple but effective lyrical composition. The song builds up, before almost dying part way through, then builds back up into and focuses on Tylers trademark scream. 9/10

"Kings and queens", This was also taken from the "Draw the line album" and was written by all the band members except for Joe Perry. The song only reached around 70 which was seen as abit of a dissappointment and blamed on the depressing sound and what was seen as an overly long song. The version on this album is an editted version taking out some of the guitar parts (possibly to cut running time which they do by around a minute, which was an original criticism). The song has a far deeper and darker sound than the previous song which was rather pacey and light (mood wise, not sound wise). The song does feel somewhat misplaced on this album, though it's still a big hit with the die hard fans. 6/10

"Come together", The first cover on the album taken from the Beatles album "Sgt. Peppers lonely hearts club band". The Aerosmith version has a much more gritty rock feel than the original and focusses more on the bass and guitar. The song opens with a snare drum and guitar before Tylers sharp vocals kick in with intermissions of the snare here and and there. The lyrics are almost untouched from the original, with the vocal delivery of them being the main difference. This track was used in the "Sgt Peppers lonely hearts club" of which the band appeared in. This was their last top 40 hit for over a decade, reaching #23. 9/10

The album closes with the emitable 1980's cover of "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" origianlly done by Shangri-la's (who got it into the top 15 both in britain and in the US). The Aerosmith version of this takes a much more rocky feel than the Shangri-la's version and despite being much less succesful, it's still a brilliant song. Keeping a kind og "Happy rock" feel, with a toe tapping sound behind it, it makes the song a good ending for the album. Originally taken form their album "A night in the ruts". 8/10

The album is one of only a handful to ever "Go diamond" in the US (selling over 10 million copies) and is ranked 77th on the alltime best selling US album charts.

The album does have a sound that still feels like rock and roll heaven and is a must buy not only for Aerosmith fans, but also for rock and roll fans.

Overall...go out, buy it now...despite it missing "I dont wanna miss a thing" (ironic?) and "Janies got a gun" among others, due to the fact they were released in the later part of the 80's 90's, where as the album features soley on their early work (the last song was released in 1980). 

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