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Universal Music Group [Release date 20.03.26]
One of the USA’s rock bands, Aerosmith have released 15 studio albums, and sold 150 million records world-wide. And their blend of rock, blues, glam and pop has been very influential too.
With roots in the mid 60s, Aerosmith formed in Boston in 1970, and released this eponymous debut on Columbia in 1973. And after a couple of line-up changes, the band had settled with the line-up of vocalist (and piano and harmonica) Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer.
On this special and expanded release, we get the original album, remastered, a 2024 remix, also remastered, and a third disc of live and unreleased studio material. And if you’re not familiar with this album, you’re really in for a treat.
The album opens with ‘Make It’, a solid rock track with hints of blues, there’s a raw edge to the vocals and guitar. The commercial and radio oriented sleazy pop/rock of the late 80s onwards is thankfully nowhere in sight. And Somebody is a lovely rock’n’roll number with some good guitar interplay.
Then there’s the hit single Dream On, largely a ballad but honest, passionate, Tyler really does have a good belt out, really enjoyed this number. One Way Street is a blues rock number that rocks, the influence of the likes of The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds is hear. Elsewhere there’s a nod to Led Zeppelin and The New York Dolls.
The sleaze of ‘Mama Kin’, you can see how this would have influenced the likes of Hanoi Rocks and subsequent glam metal bands.
The album closes with a cover of the Rufus Thomas classic ‘Walkin’ The Dog’, something they apparently learnt from the Rolling Stones’ cover.
That’s the original album; disc two is a 2024 remix. Still very much rock’n’roll, but the sound does feel fuller, beefier, and there’s more clarity and separation in some of the lines. A more modern and up-to-date sound, it’s almost got an extra dimension.
The third disc many will find interesting, as it features a 10 track live set, and it proves how good the band were on the live stage right from the start. And still are.
A great cover of James Brown’s ‘Mother Popcorn well funky, and obviously James Brown long before you look it up. Good saxophone interjections too. Then there’s the enjoyable cover of ‘Train Kept A-Rollin’’ too.
Add on to that some studio outtakes, most interesting of which (for me) is ‘Joined At The Hip (Aerojam)’, All good stuff.
A wonderful 3 disc set, a good package and great music beginning to end. A trifold digipak with booklet, well worth the money.
Only gripes – lack of some obvious bonus tracks like the single edit of ‘Dream On’, and some more informative (and historic) sleevenotes.
But if you’re remotely a fan of the band or the genre, it’s money well spent. ****
Review by Joe Geesin
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 2 March 2026
DODGY – It’s Not The End (Flip Flop Records)
THE SKBs – Hour Glass (indie)
LAKE – Boy On A Mission (indie)
KING FALCON Holding Out (indie)
HOKKA Heart Said No (Nuclear Blast Records)
STARBENDERS The Beast Goes On (Sumerian Records)
EDDIE AND THE WOLVES See Me Fall (indie)
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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
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