Aerosmith
Music From Another Dimension!

November 6, 2012, Aerosmith release a new album of unreleased tracks worldwide. The question arises spontaneously: what can we still expect from Aerosmith? What can we ask from a band that has so markedly influenced the rock scene of the last 30 years? Probably we can only ask them to be the band they always were, without excessively distorting themselves, and without engaging in dangerous contaminations with other genres not exactly akin to rock 'n' roll.

”Just Push Play” their last album of unreleased tracks dated 2001, left the image of a band too much a slave to the market, a result of years of MTV-style music videos, and albums with a markedly pop imprint (such as “Nine Lives”). A big flop. Only the release of “Honkin On Bobo” gave credibility back to a band that seemed on the verge of decline. Of course, releasing a blues cover album helped a lot, because finally Aerosmith returned to explore the territories more familiar to them. The origins that had made them so great at the end of the '70s. At this point, everyone expected the new album of unreleased tracks. Unfortunately, for many reasons, the album saw the light only at the end of 2012, so 11 years after their last work. From the start, it was defined by the band as ”a return to the past, updated to the styles and canons of modern music”. And analyzing the album, it's exactly so. Strengths and weaknesses included.

The first part of the CD is truly remarkable. After the energetic opener (“Luv XXX) comes “Oh Yeah”, the classic song that reminds you of those riffs that seemed lost, that old style that seems never to tire. It could easily become a minor classic of the band. The masterpiece of the plot is certainly “Out Go The Lights”. A song with a strong blues imprint and the soul of great jam sessions. Significant are the last two minutes where Mr. Joe Perry takes the stage. And this is precisely the great strength of the CD. The guitarist finally returns to have a fundamental importance. Besides having written so many tracks (as usual), Perry bombards the CD with riffs and solos like he hadn't done since the days of “Pump”. “Legendary Child”, the CD's lead single, is the perfect example of a chart-busting song, a modern and edgy rock. But certainly nothing memorable. “Street Jesus” instead is a whole other story: a fantastic rock anthem powerful and with a relentless rhythm, supported by good drumming work and a Perry as usual over the top. After this song, the CD seems to lose some punch. The ingratiating and winking soul of Aerosmith emerges strongly: the ballads. We're not talking about new “Dream On”s, but rather about new weak attempts to clone the song from “Armageddon” (no need to mention the song's title). If we exclude the pleasant duet with country singer Carrie Underwood (“Can't Stop Loving You”), the remaining ballads that Tyler and co propose are tired and rather boring, even if sung, as usual, impeccably. The performance of the good Tallarico is indeed remarkable even though his voice is inevitably beginning to show the weight of so many years of excesses and concerts around the world. ”Lover a Lot” is the song where Tom Hamilton's bass takes center stage. Certainly the last great highlight of a rather varied CD. Joe Perry allows himself the luxury of singing on a couple of tracks (“Freedom Fighter,” “Something”), but honestly, I still think he'd do well to focus his talent only on his beloved guitar.

“Music From Another Dimension” is an album with an impressive production. Jack Douglas at the general production, Julian Lennon, Johnny Depp, and Mia Tyler as exceptional backing vocalists. Not to mention Desmond Child, who helped in writing the music and lyrics. There are various editions of the CD, including a version with three bonus tracks (excellent "Up On The Mountain"), a DVD with interviews, four live songs, and a small artistic version poster of the band. This drawing is the work of Slash, their old friend. At the end of the line, we are left with tangible proof that Aerosmith is alive, inspired but clearly we cannot expect miracles. After all, whether we like it or not, the hunger they had at the start of their career is long gone, but the level reached in 2012 is still sufficiently high not to tarnish such a historical name.