Each month I review a classic oldie from my collection along with a newer release that caught my ear (and wallet).
"Toys in the Attic" by Aerosmith (released 1975- remaster 1993)
Scene: 1975 - at any high school party or where teens congregate this album is playing - it was EVERYWHERE! It was simply impossible to be a rock fan and not own this record. By the time their third album was released Aerosmith, led by the toxic twins (flamboyant singer Steven Tyler and the Page/Richards hybrid swagger of guitarist Joe Perry) were poised to become America's Rolling Stones of hard rock. Producer Jack Douglas mastered the perfect mix of punch and polish to rocket the band to it's commercial peak (8 million). The blistering title track starts off with a menacing guitar rumble followed by the slashing lead echoing the vocals. "Uncle Salty" features a slower paced moody groove flowing into a great harmony-filled chorus. In "Adam's Apple" a sleazy guitar line winds itself into the verse and builds to a series of guitars solos. Top ten hit "Walk This Way" is a guitar strut with the riff that launched a thousand classic rock stations. "Big Ten Inch Record" is a novelty blues record from 1952 (Bull Moose Jackson) and seems woefully out of place here. "Sweet Emotion" was the first single and remains my favorite on this album. Bass, percussion and a talk box guitar fuel a spacey vibe that slides into the lyrics. The push and pull of distorted guitars travel through the verse and then become super-charged on their way to the chorus. "No More No More" is a straight-ahead rocker with pounding piano and a crushing guitar workout at the end! "Round and Round" has a "Led" heavy drum sound that produces a dark Zeppelinesque tone (think "When the Levee Breaks"). The closing tune is the prerequisite big ballad "You See Me Crying", a showcase for Tyler's vocals and piano accompanied by an orchestra. Aerosmith followed this release with their last great album appropriately titled "Rocks".
"When I'm President" by Ian Hunter (released 2012)
From the Glam Rock glory of Mott the Hoople through his collaborations with legendary guitarist Mick Ronson to the present day, Ian Hunter continues to possess one of the most distinctive voices in all of rock. His wonderful sense of melody and witty, intelligent lyrics make for a combination rarely matched by anyone and at 72 years old he is not going quietly into the night. His past four albums ("Rant", "Shrunken Heads", "Man Overboard", "...President") have him on a musical roll unmatched at any time in his storied career! This album has a little bit of everything that makes Ian special. Opener "Comfortable (Flyin' Scotsman)" is a grinding rocker very much in the Mott vein as is the shouter "What For". "Fatally Flawed" is a contemplative mid-tempo tune confronting the weaknesses found in everyone. The title track is a brilliantly catchy social commentary that coulda' shoulda' been a hit. The riveting ballad "Black Tears" opens with the chorus bathed in a soaring guitar riff and Mark Bosch's searing solo is the highlight of the album for me, recalling the best of Mick Ronson. The raucous acoustic bounce of "Saint" is irresistible while "Wild Bunch" paints a nostalgic look back featuring a rollicking honky tonk piano and dirty slide guitar. "Ta Shunka Witco (Crazy Horse)", a tribute to The Sioux American Indian Chief comes across as a bookend of sorts with Ian's title track from "All-American Alien Boy" which presented a roll call of famous Native American chiefs. "Life" wraps up the proceedings perfectly with a simple philosophy that would also be an ideal set ending song...and don't miss his live show because miraculously his voice is as vibrant as ever! To create such vital music at 72 is amazing but this release is outstanding for any age and a new album is in the works!
