Aerosmith — ëƵMusic from Another Dimension!ëƵ
IëƵm an old-school Aerosmith fan. It was love at first listen after I picked up a copy of 1975ëƵs ëƵToys in the AtticëƵ with songs like ëƵWalk This WayëƵ and ëƵSweet Emotion.ëƵ
IëƵve had the opportunity to see Aerosmith perform twice. Both concerts were the loudest shows IëƵve ever attended. For me, loud is a very, very good thing. ëƵMusic from Another Dimension!ëƵ is AerosmithëƵs first album of new songs in 11 years. With all that has happened with the bad boys from Boston the last few years, I wondered if they would keep their swagger or become a campy version of days gone by as illustrated on the new album cover. Early in 2010, a rift between guitarist Joe Perry and frontman Steven Tyler threatened the bandëƵs future as the band held auditions for a new singer and Tyler joined ëƵAmerican IdolëƵ as a celebrity judge. Fortunately, fences were mended and Tyler rejoined his band mates for a 15th studio album. Producer Jack Douglas was brought back on board for the new material after overseeing such classic albums like ëƵGet Your Wings,ëƵ ëƵToys in the Attic,ëƵ ëƵRocksëƵ and ëƵDraw the Line.ëƵ Douglas, who has been called AerosmithëƵs sixth man because of his close relationship with the band, brings out the best in the boys as they deliver their strongest effort since 1989ëƵs ëƵPump.ëƵ The opening number comes out smoking as the band sounds like Cheap Trick from the classic ëƵHello ThereëƵ as Perry fires off a sizzling riff and Tyler announces, ëƵHello, hello, hello.ëƵ ëƵOh YeahëƵ follows with a Rolling Stones-style guitar riff and soulful lead and backing vocals. ëƵOut Go the LightsëƵ has the attitude and electricity of the Black CrowesëƵ ëƵThe Southern Harmony and Musical CompanionëƵ album before lead singer Chris Robinson went all hippie on us. ëƵWhat Could Have Been LoveëƵ is an infectious power ballad following the blueprint of ëƵI DonëƵt Want to Miss a Thing.ëƵ ëƵCanëƵt Stop LovinëƵ YouëƵ features country singer Carrie Underwood and is sure to deliver a likable crossover appeal for country music fans and die-hard Aerosmith fans. Joe Perry takes the microphone on the rousing ëƵFreedom Fighter,ëƵ with Johnny Depp on backing vocals. Tyler and Perry are at their best on rockers ëƵLegendary Child,ëƵ ëƵLover AlotëƵ and ëƵStreet Jesus,ëƵ as they channel the raw and gritty feel of 1976ëƵs ëƵRocks.ëƵ With all the band members in their 60s, ëƵMusic from Another Dimension!ëƵ proves that Aerosmith is back in the saddle again.