Aerosmith
Permanent Vacation

THE REVIEW

After Aerosmith's return to the scene in 1985, thanks to the album "Done With Mirrors," the band recorded another highly important work, "Permanent Vacation." The band consists of the irreplaceable Steven Tyler on vocals, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford on guitar, Tom Hamilton on bass, and Joey Kramer on drums.

This album brings the quartet closer to the American hair glam metal sound, like Motley Crue, which was very popular in the late Eighties. A clear example of this change is the famous single "Rag Doll", the power ballad "Angel", and "Magic Touch". "Permanent Vacation" is the first album of this genre, followed by the hugely successful "Pump," famous for "Love In An Elevator", and "Get A Grip," which included "Living On The Edge", "Crying", and the schmaltzy "Crazy".

It's a work that showcases quite different styles, ranging from the hard rock of "Hearts Done Time" to the funk of "Dude", and the raw blues of "St. John". A very beautiful and fairly interesting album, showing a band that has risen again after the critical period of the early eighties. You can see a band in good health, playing with grit and passion and also quite matured. For me, "Permanent Vacation" is one of the best Aerosmith records of the Eighties, along with "Pump." The album is more powerful and energetic compared to its successors, which, even though they contain great singles, seem more slick and commercial to me.

From the first songs, the band already makes us understand what we are getting into with this album: power, energy, and rock'n'roll. "Heart's Done Time" and "Magic Touch" are stunning tracks that don't require multiple listens to be appreciated, because you memorize them immediately. The engaging riffs of Perry and Whitford add an extra touch of originality to the tracks, supporting Tyler's excellent voice. The refrains are catchy and powerful: "Heart's Done Time" has a more rocking and captivating refrain, while "Magic Touch" presents the more glam side of the band. Their energy and undeniable beauty hit the listener immediately, excellently inaugurating "Permanent Vacation."

But with the third track, we really dive into the heart of the album, namely with the very famous "Rag Doll", which I would define as the "Walk This Way" of the eighties! The initial riff is legendary, Tyler's vocal lines are convincing, showing passion, grit, and even a bit of sensuality. The refrain gets into your head right away, giving you emotions and energy at the same time. Guys, any comment is superfluous for "Rag Doll", a track that should simply be appreciated and listened to. "Simoriah" presents the softer and more catchy side, while "Dude" is another hit seasoned with funk. The second gem of "Permanent Vacation," which is still a benchmark today! The chorus is something exceptional!

"St. John" is a dark blues well executed by the band. They continue to surprise us with a swamp song, namely "Hangman Jury", while with "Girl Keep Coming Apart", they return to wild and carefree hard rock. Perhaps the latter is the track that convinces me the least on the album. "Angel" is the third successful single, a power ballad that joins the other equally incredible and moving "ballads" from Poison, Cinderella, and Motley Crue. A sublime track that further increased the success and importance of the album. "I'm Down" is a playful cover of the early Beatles, while "The Movie" is an unusual instrumental from Aerosmith.

This is "Permanent Vacation," an album from one of the world's greatest and most famous hard rock bands! A work that achieved great success but sometimes is also slightly underrated. A CD that I strongly recommend purchasing even to those new to the band. An album that has nothing to envy from "Pump" and "Get A Grip"!