Steven Tyler has had plenty to say about the upcoming season of “American Idol.” But what, you know, about his other hobby — Aerosmith?
During a news conference held by the Television Critics Association, Tyler broached the subject of a new Aerosmith album — rumored to be released in the spring: “All of it’s been written, but I gotta lay lyrics on it and I haven’t had a lot of time,” he said. “But what I’ve listened to so far just knocked me out. I know a good song, I know what’s gonna get played on the radio, I’m not that pretentious to say I think we’ve got hits, but I think we’ve got something, and that’s all that matters.”
This would be Aerosmith’s first album of all-new material since 2001; the band is working with producer Jack Douglas, who helmed the classics Toys In The Attic and Rocks. That’s already led to a early talk of a return to form, something guitarist Joe Perry addressed on Twitter: “People have said when we play the rough tracks it sounds like it’s from the ’70s but for me, it’s too early to tell.”
Meanwhile, Tyler — who is entering his second season on “Idol” — says sales of Aerosmith’s back catalog have shot up 260 percent since he took a seat on the amateur talent show judges panel.
Here’s a look back at our previous thoughts on Aerosmith, and related solo project. Click through the titles for complete reviews …
SOMETHING ELSE! FEATURED ARTIST: AEROSMITH: As Steven Tyler confirmed rumors that there will be a new Aerosmith album released next spring, we took a moment to reevaluate things. Here are a group lesser-known deep cuts from this cool-rocking band, most (but not all!) of which come from their creative peak in the 1970s. Well, and one minor hit that still holds rather fond memories.
FORGOTTEN SERIES: JOE PERRY – JOE PERRY (2005): Firmly ensconced in his home studio (the “Boneyard”), Joe was back to making “the big noise.” Perry plays all instruments and sings all of the lead vocals. The only exceptions are the drums played by friend and co-producer Paul Caruso and the analog synth played by Chris Noise on “Pray For Me.” In direct contrast to the last few Aerosmith albums (Honkin’ On Bobo excepted), Joe Perry has a much more stripped-down sound. In fact, the “I’m gonna fill every last one of these here 128 tracks” phenomenon is completely avoided.
AEROSMITH – HONKIN’ ON BOBO (2004): Horribly titled, but quite good. Honkin’ on Bobo was largely made up of rock versions of blues tunes, it was recorded in live sessions with all five members in the room at once, and it saw the return of producer Jack Douglas. More than that, though, it saw the return of the classic Aerosmith sound. The arrangements, while still often over the top, were stripped down from the bombast of their last few records, and it really had the feel of old-school Aerosmith.
AEROSMITH – ROCKS (1976; 2011 reissue): To be sure, the songs do rock and creep deep inside the brain cells and refuse to leave moments after hearing them, but a sense of cryptic chaos administers the event. Lead singer Steven Tyler’s rubbery vocals mumble and rumble with mystery, and the band is hungry, so hungry, it appears as if they are singing for their supper. These guys are wired! Loud, sleazy and erupting with power and venom, you can almost taste whatever chemical substances the band was inhaling when they created the record. For good reason, some folks consider Rocks to be Aerosmith’s best album.
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