Rocks - Aerosmith

...spots; an album that still sounds fresh today. Though Rocks doesn't have the mega-hit singles like "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way," it has more than its share of classics and paved the road for generations of hard rock and heavy metal bands yet to come.

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The album “Rocks" was released in May, 1976, under the record label Columbia Records. It is Aerosmith's 4th studio album and certified Quadruple Platinum in February 2001.

Not too many bands are able to record one of the greatest rock records of all time then go out the next year and top their previous effort. Aerosmith did precisely that with the aptly-titled "Rocks". No one expected Aerosmith to be able to top the huge success of 1975s "Toys in the Attic", but they did. Though the album lacks the radio-friendly hits that are abundant on Toys in the Attic, many consider "Rocks" to be Aerosmith's best record ever.

It is without a doubt one of the defining releases of the 1970s arena rock era. "Rocks" is the sound of Aerosmith hitting their seventies peak and going as deep into bad-boy rock'n'roll, however drugs would soon cause problems for them during the making of the next album.

What I like about the album is the fact that all of the band members had an equal hand in writing the songs. The record is heavy, dense, and tightly focused; there are no throwaways. Though there are only nine tracks, every single song showcases some of the meanest hard rock ever committed to vinyl, and now days, CDs. In spite of the band's escalating drug use, the album is a great success.

For those of you who, somehow do not know, here is the members that make up Aerosmith.

Steven Tyler - Main vocals
Joe Perry - Lead Guitarist
Brad Whitford - Guitars
Tom Hamilton - Bass
Joey Kramer - Drums/Percussion

Back In The Saddle: 4:39 - written by - S. Tyler/ J. Perry

The album opens up with a great track; it even provides a great opener at live concerts, when it is actually used as one. This lusty cowboy song has a killer guitar riff during the chorus accompanied by screams of “I'm baaaaaaaaack!!!!" from Steven. The track comes complete with galloping horse hoof sound effects towards the end and even a whip sounding noise. The band tried to use a bullwhip in the studio, but it didn't work; they just cut themselves up. Also to add a western feel to the song, Steven had tambourines taped to his boots and he stomped on a wooden board

Last Child : Duration 3:27 - written by - S. Tyler/ B. Whitford

This song tells of a person that is now living the city life, being a punk in the street, yet dreaming of being back home where they originally came from - living on a little farm. When I first heard this I didn't care much for it, but as my appreciation for 70s rock increased, Aerosmith's in particular, I have grown fond of this. The guitar solo has got to be my favourite part to this track, where the drums slam and the guitar goes wild. The song ends with some siren like noises...

Rats In The Cellar: Duration 4:06 - written by - S.Tyler/ J. Perry

...which leads in to the intro of this song. Last Child blends perfectly in to this track. Surprisingly well, to say Last Child is a slightly slower song, and this one is rather fast paced and quite evil sounding. The first 2 minutes of the song is a heavy riff with pounding drums and bass with vocals, the remaining two minutes is everything stated, without the vocals. This song reflects the drug side of the rock n roll lifestyle Aerosmith were experiencing, especially the line "losin' my connection" - which basically means that the band's drug contact had died. This is one of the heaviest, fastest tracks on the album, a firm favourite. On a side note, they do this great live, see the You Gotta Move live Aerosmith DVD that recently came out to see so yourself.

Combination: Duration 3:39 - written by - J. Perry

This track marks Joe Perry's lead vocal debut. "'Combination' is about heroin, cocaine and me....Walkin' on Gucci, wearing St. Laurent/ Barely stay on 'cause I'm so f*ckin' gaunt ...I wasn't a pretty sight at 129 pounds. In fact, my mother was so upset about what was going on, she moved out to Arizona" (Joe Perry)

This song has a heavy riff, similar to Back in the Saddle's, in my opinion. However, this song is special because it has Steven and Joe singing at the same time. Another favourite of mine and it is a track I get a hankering for to listen to.

Sick As A Dog: Duration 4:12 - written by - S.Tyler/ T. Hamilton

Tom wrote the song on guitar, so when it came time to record, Tom played guitar and Joe played bass. The song needed a solo, so Joe played guitar and gave Steven the bass. At the end of the song, there are three guitars with Steven playing bass. The song is another classic Aerosmith song. The song ends with clapping and sounds rather uplifting and gradually fades in to a rather haunting sound..

Nobody's Fault: Duration 4:25 - written by - S.Tyler/ B. Whitford

This track is evil sounding! This song speaks of natural disasters, namely earthquakes.
The haunting sound soon changes to a heavy guitar riff that blasts from out of nowhere. I love the fact that the song builds up and seemingly "collapses", (just like structures would do if an earthquake took place) and leads to a rather menacing sounding chorus. The song also has carefully placed xylophone noises inserted in to it and really works somehow. Possibly one of Aerosmith's heaviest tracks, although sadly, rarely played live in concert.

Get The Lead Out: Duration 3:42 - written by - S.Tyler/ J.Perry

This song is rather uplifting and the riff to it is rather catchy. Steven does some nice vocal strains on the lines "hey good lookin', watcha' got there cookin'!?", and the bass from Tom, and drumming from Joe really drives the track along.

Lick And A Promise: Duration 3:05 - written by - S.Tyler/ J. Perry

I like this song because of the fact it is kind of short, fast paced and uplifting and totally rocks. Especially the line: "I'm singing, na na na na na!" and posing as an upcoming rock singer in a song! The guitars are wild. The song has usual Aerosmith traits, of double entendre, and is definitely one of my favourites.

'Lick and a Promise' is about going out and winning an audience, a very hard thing to do. That song is such a snapshot of us in those days, a clear moment in time for me." (Steven Tyler).

Home Tonight: Duration: 3:16 - written by - S.Tyler

The album closes off with this rock ballard about a person bascially telling their lover who is home alone, that they will be returning to be with them soon. The track stars off with Steven singing quite delicately, and the guitars, drums and bass sounding so accordingly. Lyrically, there aren't many, and the song becomes taken over by a great and loud guitar solo, and Steven does some voice straining towards the end, which doesn't ruin the song, but adds a lot of emotion to it, as he sings “I'll be home tonight". The song features a 101- piece orchestra.

Aerosmith succeeded in producing an album with almost no weak spots; an album that still sounds fresh today. Though Rocks doesn't have the mega-hit singles like "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way," it has more than its share of classics and paved the road for generations of hard rock and heavy metal bands yet to come.

 

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