What’s up with Aerosmith?
April 22, 2004 by Mark Boudreau
What the hell is going on in Aerosmith land? Here I am foolishly thinking that they were washed up (again) but the reviews that I have read of their new album Honkin’ On Bobo have been that it signals a “creative rebirth” of the band. I have always been a big fan of Aerosmith. From the “Live Bootleg” poster in my bedroom in High School to the fact that “Angel” was the first dance song at my wedding, to me Aerosmith were a band that lived rock and roll cool. The strange thing is that this was sorely tested after listening to Steve Tyler croak “Dream On” at the Super Bowl. When a buddy asked me if I wanted to go see the Aerosmith/Cheap Trick show that just played Montreal I took a pass as I had seen them a couple of times in the past and I couldn’t imagine things being much different. Well it appears that I was wrong and that Aerosmith have emerged with all their rock and roll guns blazing. Nice to see the old guys showing the new guys a couple of rock and roll tricks. I can’t believe that I actually plan on going out to pick up the new Aerosmith CD! It definitely feels good.
Later.
When I heard Aerosmith was hooking up with Jack Douglas again, I admit, my interest perked up a bit, but having SAMPLED the new Aerosmith on Amazon [I learned NOT to buy them on faith after the CRAP that was Get A Grip ... but I heard about 30 seconds of four songs [I skipped the recast of Aretha Franklin's "Never Loved A Man/Woman"] and I was NOT impressed in the least… It just sounded like Modern Aerosmith [Tyler's vocals especially being all high, no richness like on Rocks and Toys] and cold and lifeless remakes of their old faves. There was no FIRE and no BALLS to it! SAMPLE IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.