Just Push Play [SACD] - Aerosmith

...I mean as opposed to just typical rock instruments, things like deejay scratching noises and lots of different vocal layering were experimented with. A lot of bands have learnt things from Aerosmith over the course of time, and so I guess Aerosmith decided to have a go at using more modern sounds.

There have been complaints over recent times that Aerosmith have outside writers helping with write songs. I guess in some cases this can ...
...all that great. The chorus: Just push play - f**k it hey!' is blanked out on some versions of the album with more record scratches. The band Aerosmith have said that what was lacking in their song catalogue was a party-esque song. So here it is. It does it well and sets a party atmosphere, but not something you'd conventionally expect on a rock and roll album.


'Jaded' and 'Sunshine' are both rock/pop friendly songs, and it ... more

American Rock 'n' Roll band Aerosmith followed the release of 1997's "Nine Lives" album with "Just Push Play" in 2001.

The band which formed in Boston back in the early 70s and began playing in various clubs, and eventually after their true potential was spotted. This subsequently led to the release of their first album in 1973, the self titled 'Aerosmith'. This album, as were the next few to follow, held a very raw like sound, especially the first album which sounds tinny. It wasn't until the late 80s did the band become more rock/pop, as opposed to the bluesy rock band of the 70s.

The band had a very Eastern theme going on with the album "Nine Lives", and the it appears to me that the theme of "Just Push Play" was that of a more technical one. By that I mean as opposed to just typical rock instruments, things like deejay scratching noises and lots of different vocal layering were experimented with. A lot of bands have learnt things from Aerosmith over the course of time, and so I guess Aerosmith decided to have a go at using more modern sounds.

There have been complaints over recent times that Aerosmith have outside writers helping with write songs. I guess in some cases this can be a bad thing, but as I do enjoy a fair few songs here I am not too fussed myself. However, I must admit that it would have been nice if the rest of the band had the chance to write like the old days. Why didn't they?

Aerosmith is made up of:
Steven Tyler: Vocals
Joe Perry: Lead guitars/backing vocals
Brad Whitford: Guitars
Joey Kramer: Drums/Percussion
Tom Hamilton: Bass

The album opens with the "bitchy" "Beyond Beautiful", a song in which Tyler brags down the phone about having the love of someone's ex lover. This is one of the favourite songs I mentioned earlier. It begins with a phone dial sound effect and leads on to a hurdy gurdy played by Joe Perry, which gives the song an Eastern feel to begin with. Suddenly, the entire band kicks in and the song consists of heavy 'cranks' and a wailing guitar line. Tyler proves his own backing vocals here also (as with most songs) and his voice is perfect throughout. The chorus is full of the jangling hurdy gurdy and some exceptional bass playing from Hamilton. The chorus in general is a catchy one and it is the first part that I 'clicked' with, however I now really like every aspect of the song. I surprised on the first hearing as I expected some sort of ballad from this track due to the title, but instead I was surprised with a solid rocker. The guitar solo is great also (though it could have been longer), however the solo guitar does continue all the way through the final chorus and brings the whole song to a great finale.

The next song,'Just Push Play', I originally wasn't too fond of. However I have now accepted it for what it is. Among the record scratches from Tony Perry (Joe Perry's son), various computerised effects and Jamaican accent that Steven acquires and loses throughout the song, there is some brilliant guitar work. Unfortunately this only is allowed to shine right at the start before all the effects kick in, and during outro of the song, where we are treated to some nice guitar flicks. The song is quite complex and houses layered vocals, and even when following the lyrics in the booklet you can get lost. And speaking lyrics, they are not all that great. The chorus: Just push play - f**k it hey!' is blanked out on some versions of the album with more record scratches. The band Aerosmith have said that what was lacking in their song catalogue was a party-esque song. So here it is. It does it well and sets a party atmosphere, but not something you'd conventionally expect on a rock and roll album.

'Jaded' and 'Sunshine' are both rock/pop friendly songs, and it is easy to see why they were selected as singles for the album. Jaded begins with impressive jangled guitars and has a great bass line which shines as the song builds to a rushing crescendo, however it is 'Sunshine' that captivates me even more. With its delicate synth effects that run throughout the song, and not to mention the Joe Perry guitar solo which stands out as one of the better guitar solos from the album. I will admit that when I first heard 'Sunshine', I can't say it really struck a chord with me, until one day I was humming along with a riff in my mind, which I discovered to be 'Sunshine'. - 'Sunshine, the kind that everybody knows, sunshine, she's finer than a painted rose'.

The album doesn't pass by without a ballad. There are three on this album, with the latter two of them probably being the better ones. 'Fly Away From Here' as not even written by any member of the Aerosmith band, and so as a result it seems like an attempt to recapture the success of "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" from 1998. However, for what it is worth this piano driven song it is a well crafted song, if not my favourite. Perhaps this would have fitted nicely elsewhere, although I am not sure where. 'Luv Lies' has a nice springy sounding riff to it and is mellow, Tyler's voice is nice here and the lyrics flow nicely.

The album sure has its bizarre points, in the form of 'Trip Hoppin' and 'Outta Your Head', the former incorporates horns and has a very cool riff to it and some vocal work from Tyler: ' I've got a wild thing for you, we're talking hoops you've got me jumpin' through' and 'through my kaleidoscope I'm lookin' through, my only colour was a neon blue, I'm hanging on to yesterday and now the only way out is through!'. Although Trip Hoppin' does have perhaps a dangerously amount of effects in it, I like it. The bass driven rap-like 'Outta Your Head' however, suffers in the bizarre section with lines such as "Bricka Bracka Fire Cracker Sis Boom Bah - Here Comes Trouble In A Push Up Bra', also the chorus is not the greatest, though the drums on this song are great, but the solo is too short sadly.

'Under My Skin' starts off with some interesting drumming work and bass, before cutting in to a loud excellent guitar riff accompanied by clashing cymbals and pounding bass. I like the song a lot, but I think that perhaps the opening riff could have been incorporated in to the song a bit more than it is, as the song sort of dies down a little. The chorus has brilliant a bass line and the drum crashes tend to have a somewhat trash can feel to them. As for the chorus line itself, it is quite catchy: 'There's a girl living under my skin, there's this girl and she's wearing me thin, and I think she's the reason that it's open broken hearted season'. The song thankfully picks up the riff from near the intro towards the final minute or so of the song, greatly enhancing the whole song.

Joe Perry takes over the lead vocals, on the rocking 'Drop Dead Gorgeous', although Tyler joins in at the choruses and eventually takes over. Drum loops and guitar loops make up a lot of the chorus (the best part of the song!), it is catchy and full of guitar twangs and fits the lyrics well. The best part of this song has to be when the song 'finishes' - only to surprise you with it blasting back on with the final extended chorus, Tyler has pretty much taken over by now and screams at the end "She's naturally drop dead gorgeous!" just before the water leaking noises take the stage and lead the song out gradually. Best line: ' Sweet almond eyes just to see and be seen - she's naturally drop dead gorgeous!'

'Light Inside' is my absolute favourite from the album, and one of my favourite Aerosmith songs of all time. Opening with what can only be described as a heavy "wind drum machine", and then leading on to some rising and dropping guitar work, before the song eventually kicks in. It's a heavy fast paced rock track with simple lyrics throughout, but that doesn't spoil it for me at all.

The chorus of: 'The light inside is burnin' bright, the light makes everything alright, the light inside is burning bright, the light inside oh yeah alright...' consists of fast flicking guitar work, speeding heavy bass and distorted slurred vocals which makes the whole thing quite psychedelic. The song hasn't been over-produced with the effects, apart from the chorus lines it is pure fast rock and minimal overdubs. It gives the song a nice flavour so to speak. The guitar solo on the song harks back to Aerosmith's earlier days, hence why older fans should check this out. One other thing that makes this song a favourite is the way the thumping drums and guitar solo leads to in to a wild guitar slide before the final chorus kicks in. When this song ends, your ears know it.

Leading on from the brash 'Light inside' is this 'Avant Garden' Unlike the likes of "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing', (and "Fly Away From Here', which appears to written/included for commercial reasons) this song feels very unforced, further backed up by the fact this is never played live nor was it a single. I like this song for the unforced reason, although it does also sound good! It is acoustical in places, though some wailing electric guitars do join in as the song progresses. Tyler smoothly sings most of the song, although he does give a few screams during the guitar solo section, which is softly followed by: 'So, I'll be waiting in your garden, watching all your flowers grow....'. Some orchestration appears to be present, but it isn't over done and only sounds in places to emphasise the sadness of certain lyrics.

On some variations, the bonus tracks - "Face" and "Won't Let You Down", are present. "Face" is an acoustic track and harks back to Aerosmith's earlier days, and it is very well done. Meanwhile, "Won't Let You Down' is a brilliant fast paced rock song with some touching lyrics thrown in between, and it should have made the album permanently and not just some variations.

As to if it this experimentation works is a matter of opinion. Personally I do enjoy this album to a degree, this album holds two of my favourite Aerosmith songs (although songs I listen to a lot less than the others created by the band). A friend said "Surely Aerosmith gets worse with age?" and I said "Well, I don't think their latest albums are solid over all, but they do have their high points". Older fans that don't like recent Aerosmith probably won't like this on the whole, but a couple of songs should be checked out - 'Light Inside' for one which is a solid heavy hitter. Newer fans to Aerosmith however may find this album useful as a gateway, but only here are small traces of their earlier days present....

To summarise highlights here in my opinion are: Beyond Beautiful, Under My Skin, Sunshine, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Light Inside and Avant Garden (but also "Face" and "Won't Let You Down" on certain variations of the album which hold these as bonus tracks). Fans of newer Aerosmith should check this out, and fans of older Aerosmith should give a select few songs from here a listen'.

The album can be found on www.cd101.co.uk and www.play.com for around £10.00, although this CD frequents EBay at much cheaper costs.
 

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