This month's selection was mine to pick, and I try not to take it lightly or for granted. Kip and Jeff have been nice enough to include me in the Graded Rock website, and I want to do my best. I wanted to tell of the albums that I was thinking of submitting to the team. Heart: Little Queen. I was flip flopping between this or Dreamboat Annie. Sweet: Off the Record. My most favorite Sweet album! Nazareth: Expect no Mercy. Also my favorite Nazareth LP. Rush: A Farewell to Kings. The guys aren’t big Rush fans, so I didn’t want to torture them. Thin Lizzy: Johnny the Fox. Love me some Phil Lynott. The poet and vagabond. I picked Aerosmith “Rocks” because for me it’s a perfect album. The songs, the performances, and even the cover contribute to this masterpiece of rock and roll. So, I will flex my tiny brain and try put into words why I dig these songs.

Mark

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   What can I say about Rocks. It has always been one of my deserted island picks. Back when this came out lots of my friends had the album and it was blasted for many weekend parties, I played it often and couldn't imagine Aerosmith without this album!  One thing comes to mind with Rocks was when it was advertised in the back of Circus magazine they showed it with a black cover and they showed it also as a white cover. I don’t think the white version ever came out. Can’t find it on the Internet, so it must’ve only existed for that ad? Another thought that comes to mind when I think of Rocks is that years ago when SACDs were coming out and had surround-sound mixes; Sony had released Toys in the Attic and it sounded awesome! Then Rocks was mixed and finished for SACD surround, but it was never released. What a shame!

Jeff

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   I discovered Aerosmith through the previous Toys in the Attic album. I definitely went through a “phase” in diving deep into their earlier albums after buying Rocks. I never got all the way to becoming a massive fan, but Toys and Rocks definitely got extensive spins on my turntable over a couple year period. I'm a bit of a bad Aerosmith fan, as I tend to favor Toys, but both true fanatics and later bands tout Rocks as the peak of the classic Aerosmith releases.

Kip

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​1. Back in the Saddle (Steven Tyler, Joe Perry) A

   The Ominously lurking intro that lurks ominously gives way to Steven Tyler’s oh so tormented declaration that he’s back in the saddle. Again…For me Mr. Tyler’s vocal chops are in perfect sync with the rock and roll universe. Gritty, soulful, powerful and totally unique. His screams are so angst soaked and raw I feel maybe there’s something wrong with his saddle…all kidding aside, when I hear this song it gives me great joy. Great guitar tones, cooking rhythm section, great song. A classic!

A

Mark

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   What a monster classic Aerosmith song this is. I think the first reason goes to Joe Perry and his six-string bass riff, and the brain-worm tune that he created and tweaked with Steven Tyler’s help. The second reason that I like Back in the Saddle so much is Jack Douglas’ production! If you listen, everything is crystal clear, nothing is buried or muddy. Love the galloping horse! This track just captures the band’s live energy! And this whole album showcases that perfect Aerosmith flavor so well. A perfect opener for this album… my only problem with this song as I think it wears out its welcome after 4 minutes. I’m tired of being "back in the saddle" after the 4-minute mark. I think it should've been faded about 40 seconds sooner, just my opinion.

A

Jeff

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   The Western feel of not only the title, but the musical build up and the horse whinny lead into one of the greatest opening tracks of the classic '70's era. Joe Perry's six-string bass riff seems to embody the swagger of a band working on all cylinders. Steven Tyler had one of the most distinct voices ever, but it was never more evident than on this track and album. I always wondered how bands ever attempted to cover some of these songs, because Tyler's screams and squeals were so essential to the songs and were almost impossible to replicate. Can't imagine any iteration of the band opening with any other song live. A true classic.

A+

Kip

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2. Last Child (Steven Tyler, Brad Whitford) B+

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   When I used to do the occasional DJ gig back in the early 80s. I played this funky biscuit occasionally. I fit it right in between safety dance and I ran. No one ever danced to it, but it made me smile. Never was there a more cowbell worthy tune. So funky, so inescapably cool that I cringe to think of its nonexistence. The guitar solo slaps you around like a 300 pound Sumo wrestler when you're late with his last entree. Brutal, unforgiving and yet you can’t get enough. Momma take me home sweet home!

A

Mark

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   This is my least favorite song on the album. This really sounds like a left over from Toys. My disfavor towards this track is the main plodding chord gets old fast; when it is introduced after the 20 second opening after a bit I'm wishing for something else. I wouldn’t have cut this song from the album I just wish they would’ve rewritten and tweaked it a bit more with maybe Perry’s help. I think the multi refrain “Yes sir, no sir” and “Home sweet home” are really strong. 

C+

Jeff

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   This might be my all time favorite Aerosmith song, though not this version. I fell in love with this song instantly, though I was reminded of the Kiss debut album because of the obvious plodding pace of this. It still swaggers though and both the riff and the solo are smoking. I tend to like Brad Whitford compositions and after reading who plays which solos on some of their songs, tend to prefer his playing to Perry's. (I told you I was a bad Aerosmith fan.) The version on Live Bootleg better displays the groove that the song promises. Great riff, cool vocals and strong lyrics. This song just works. (Look up Dirty Honey's version on Youtube. Just....wow.)

A

Kip

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3. Rats in the Cellar (Steven Tyler, Joe Perry) B

   Slide guitar and honkin on Bobo. Not only is Mr. Tyler a world class singer but evidently, he can cook on the blues harp as well. This tune is like when the band smokes a joint right before playing, and as the weed kicks in the music morphs into something psychedelic and weedy… this is a real phenomenon I believe… not that I would know. Anyway, I still love that they shared.

B

Mark

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   Love the city soundscape opening. Great Joe Perry song. A lot of these songs just bring up good memories of cruising the streets at night in high school. I had a friend that had it on this album on 8-track and it was played a lot. Nothing sounded cooler coming from the car windows than Aerosmith! The harmonica slide lead guitar coming in at 1:30 is my favorite part of the song. For being such a busy song, I like this part because it allows the song to breathe! Too many songs don't leave or allow for air and space around the music. It’s interesting and brings a flavor to a song when every little second of the performance is filled with a little lick or a drum fill or a vocal, but it also just gets fatiguing. I love when songs open up and players take a break and let just a couple of instruments play in a short special opportunity and breathe. It happens perfectly here at 1:40.

B+

Jeff

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   From the title, to the pace, to the vocals following the guitar, I always felt like this was a lesser version of Toys in the Attic.I get why so many guitarists love this album, because this would be a gas to play, but the song doesn't progress into anything I want to hear repeatedly. Tyler's harmonica solo made them somewhat unique in the hard rock circles of the '70's. A raver, which I generally like, this one just never grabbed me.

B-

Kip

 

4. Combination (Joe Perry) B+

   Filthy, filthy guitar tones greet you as you enter the murky depths of this minor key sludge pool. I for one am embracing the deep dark vibey goodness. Dipping my toe in is not an option… I must submit and dive deep. However, as the swirling eddies of rhythm, harmony seep in I am aware of something sinister lurking… or maybe looming? No lurking just out of earshot. Suddenly it appears! It has on spandex! and is surrounded by bandannas! Lots and lots of bandannas!  I freak! I panic! I try to escape this weird soundscape. This oobleck of sound, but I’m pulled back… I don’t have the strength, I must submit…This songs cool. I like it. :-)

B

Mark

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   Love that guitar tone on the opening lick. Another great Joe Perry creation. This is my second favorite song off the album. I love how Tyler and Perry’s vocals harmonize throughout. Every song on this album are very unique and strong, they don’t remind me of any other songs. There’s only one Combination out there and they perfected it. This track has got confidence and such a tight presentation that it easily withstands the test of time! Love it as much today as I did years ago.

A

Jeff

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   The one guitarist who cites this album as THE influence on him is Slash and I bet if a younger listener heard this, their first reaction would be that it was a Guns & Roses or Slash song. The rolling into it fingering of the riff has long been a staple of Slash's playing. Very much a Perry showcase, with the cool riff, his rather flat “harmony” vocals, the guitars being VERY forward in the mix, to the “falling down the stairs” ending. This would have fit on Perry's later solo albums. A solid rocker.

B

Kip

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5. Sick as a Dog (Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton) A

   Man! I love this tune! Intro Arpeggiated guitar straight into a catchy harmony verse backed by perfect guitar tones. Joe Perry and Brad Whitford are masters of texture. They don’t get in the way of each other they just coexist wonderfully. The key change going into the solo is perfection. just a little out, a little twist of harmony and they’re off an running with a great double lead. So good! So good!! This tune has a cleaner more focused production to me. Great tune! Another classic.

A

Mark

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   This was great song to open side two! I think it’s as catchy as "No More Mr. Nice Guy", just one of those tunes you are singing along with in the first go around of hearing it. What I think amazing about this song is this was captured in one live performance with Tom Hamilton, playing rhythm guitar, Joe Perry playing bass on the first half and then switched his bass for another guitar for the end and Steven Tyler came up and picked up Perry's bass and played it for the rest of the song. This was all live and captured in one take! What a performance!

A

Jeff

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   Bassist Tom Hamilton had few co-writes, but always seemed to come up with a winner when he did. The Stonesey, jangling riff seemed to be a signature of his riffs, as did the cool bass lines that seemed to propel the song. The bass is also much more prominent in the mix here. The breakdown in the middle just makes this song and lends itself to being stretched out live. Discounting the obvious hits, this song always seemed most representative of the 70's Aerosmith sound.

A-

Kip

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6. Nobody’s Fault (Steven Tyler, Brad Whitford) A

   This song is mean! This song is throwing haymakers from the git-go! I love the fade-ins at the start. The main riff is awesome! So simple, but man it rocks! Steven Tyler vocals are so powerful , I can’t say enough good things about him on this album. For me “Rocks” is a pinnacle of hard rock vocals. It’s really a special performance. I love the grindy vocal harmonies in the bridge. Great, great guitar work. Again it’s hard to come up with compliments. I love this song!

A+

Mark

 

   I love bands that have multiple songwriters within the group. You get this nice smorgasbord of music and tracks that keep a variety of styles moving in and out throughout the album. No different with this track from Brad Whitford. Nice and heavy tune. Sounds something that Gene Simmons wrote and then got produced by Bob Ezrin. Has those Perry/ Tyler harmonies. Sounds so good for being recorded in a warehouse!

A

Jeff

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   The other Whitford co-write on the album. The volume control guitar opener had to have influenced Edward Van Halen's Cathedral. And it leads into an absolute NASTY, crunchy riff. The absolute heaviest song on the album, it interestingly features the heavily effected “Sorry, so sorry” vocal that would figure prominently in their later, much more commercial 80's songs. I have never been as big of fan of Joey Kramer's drumming as others seem to be, but both his playing and drum sound are absolutely top drawer on this piece. Even has a couple of the Cozy Powell bass drum/hi hat fills. I'm guessing a lot of burgeoning guitarists spent time learning this one. A solid rocker.

A-

Kip

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7. Get the Lead Out (Steven Tyler, Joe Perry) B-

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   It’s amazing to me how this band can throw down a greasy funky rock groove, and then flip it over to minor key washed out section that’s filled with esoteric guitar brush strokes. This album is very atmospheric for me. I always thought this was a dark album, maybe that’s why.

B+

Mark

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   It’s interesting to do these reviews, and relisten to the whole album again, because I barely know this song. Not my favorite. Sounds like a left over from the Toys sessions. Kinda dull and just doesn’t grab me. I think it would have been better developed or dropped from the album. Goes on too long! Who is in control of the fader!

C+

Jeff

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   This is a bit of a schizo song, which I noticed more so when my older brother's band did it live. The opening guitar riff, which is very reminiscent of the one that played under the vocals on Walk this Way, would have people at the bar just running to the dance floor. And Tyler's almost “rapping” vocal delivery, with the dirty nursery rhyme type lyrics, worked perfectly. But then that dreamy, ethereal bridge would come in, and the dancers didn't know what to do. I kind of felt the same way as a listener. It DOES feature my favorite guitar solos on the album, but it does feel like two separate songs that they combined. I wanted it to work, as I LOVE that riff.

B-

Kip

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8. Lick And a Promise (Steven Tyler, Joe Perry) B+

   The intro riffage so cool and original. I love how it pushes and pulls up the neck of the guitar. Like the cursed Sisyphus, stumbling and climbing up the hill only this time the curse is lifted, and the weight is lost. The guitars are super ratty. Almost like they just plugged into a tiny Pignose practice amp. I love it! There are so many different guitar tones on this album, and I don’t get tired of them. It’s inspiring really. Thank you Joe and Brad. And of course, Steven Tyler is amazing.

A

Mark

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   Now we are talking! This is my favorite Aerosmith tune! I remember I went to a party and we set up a nice stereo for the get together and everyone thought we should bring a few songs that we could play air guitars to. This is a song I chose and it did not disappoint. Blast this at a party. Perfect Aerosmith. Jack Douglas claims the secret sauce to this album was: Distortion! It’s working for me! Great energy and concentration from the band on this. Shame they will rarely repeat this in the future.

A+

Jeff

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   I always felt like this sounded like a hard rock cover of a song from an earlier era. The sloppy, jangly riff is pure Joe Perry, but the song just never goes anywhere. It's one of those songs that has really cool verses but then when they get to the chorus, there's no pay off.. A bit of a throwaway tune.

C

Kip

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9. Home Tonight (Steven Tyler) B+

   Maybe one of the best closing songs ever. My goodness…The pianos perfection. The vocals are so good. The solo is amazing. Just writing this tune… wow what a wonderful thing. “…and maybe raise a cheers to yesterday” Yes I believe I will.

A

Mark

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   This is a great closer to this album. Steven Tyler really knows how to craft these ballads. It has a Lennon feel with a raw dark undertone with it. I’m not a big fan of Tyler as a person, little too full of himself for my taste, but I gotta admit he can create a mood.

A

Jeff

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   Opening with a slightly out of tune, old timey piano riff, this Tyler composition is a bit of a “by the numbers” ballad that is saved by some of the best guitar playing on the album. It really felt like this one couldn't decide if it was a ballad or a rocker. Another sort of “meh” song to end the album. I've read others who just rave about this piece, but I don't get it.

C

Kip