Band: Aerosmith
Album: Rocks
Released: 1976
Remastered: 1993 by Sony Music Distribution
Label: Columbia
Genre: Hard Rock / Blues-Rock / Heavy Metal
Personnel and credits:
• Steven Tyler - lead vocals, percussion, electric bass, keyboards, harmonica, arranger
• Joe Perry - guitar, vocals, background vocals, percussion, 6-string bass, steel guitar, lap steel guitar, electric bass
• Brad Whitford - guitar, 1st solo on "Last Child"
• Tom Hamilton - bass, guitar, electric bass
• Joey Kramer - drums, percussion , background vocals
With
• Paul Prestopino - banjo
• Jack Douglas – production, arranger
1. "Back in the Saddle" Steven Tyler, Joe Perry 4:40
2. "Last Child" Tyler, Brad Whitford 3:26
3. "Rats in the Cellar" Tyler, Perry 4:07
4. "Combination" Perry 3:39
5. "Sick as a Dog" Tyler, Tom Hamilton 4:12
6. "Nobody's Fault" Tyler, Whitford 4:25
7. "Get the Lead Out" Tyler, Perry 3:43
8. "Lick and a Promise" Tyler, Perry 3:05
9. "Home Tonight" Tyler 3:18
The Album:
“ Rocks” is the 4th release from Aerosmith and came off the presses with platinum status and currently holds a 4x platinum certification by the RIAA. This album has had some great influence in the rock industry becoming an influence to Nirvana (where Kurt listed this album in his journal as one of his favorites), Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue, and Metallica. The Album holds two radio friendly hits which charted in the top 40, “Last Child” and “Back in the Saddle” along with two other notable hits, “Home Tonight” and “Rats in the Cellar”. This album is my personal favorite, it captures Aerosmith in their most raw, gritty, nasty, hard hitting rock thus far. This album was made during the height of the band’s drug and alcohol addictions, which IMO, only helped to bring out the rock n’ roll funkiness they had locked inside. After having such great success with “Toys in the Attic” the band was hard pressed to come up with another hard hitting album, and “Rocks” measured up to the expectation, although it wasn’t as commercially successful. Nonetheless, this album is Aerosmith at their best. IMO, this album is where Joe Perry makes his strongest case to be called one of the best guitarists in rock n’ roll, and Tyler is definitely one of the raunchiest vocalists in rock, but one heck of a frontman, always full of energy. They rhythm section (Hamilton and Kramer) is undeniably one of the best in rock n’ roll. This album is aptly named, because it just Rocks!
The Music:
Back in the Saddle This is the quintessential Aerosmith tune. It is growling, kick ass rock. With some great 6-string bass solos from Perry, screaming Tyler vocals “ I’m Baaaaaaaaack”, and a lot of background noise and western howls which gives the song the cowboy rocker effect that only Douglas can accomplish in his productions.
Last Child Starts out sleepy and slow then explodes into a funky guitar riff. The riff is one of the best riffs that Perry and Whitford ever created, IMO, and they created this one on a whim, never expecting it to be a favorite of fans. The lyrics are essentially nonsensical, but seem to work for the song, and the chorus kicks in towards the end of the song in magnificent clarity by Tyler.
Rats in the Cellar A fast paced song that moves in a frenzy of vocals to the final minute or so of the song just being pure jam. Not one of the best songs, IMO, but the jam at the end is notorious.
Combination A deep sound, gritty and slow, with some great guitar work and a great beat. An underrated track, and very original, again using somewhat random lyrics, but you can use your imagination “I found the secret, the key to it all”.
Sick As A Dog This is one of my favorite songs on the album. The song uses catchy lyrics, has a great rhythm, and has some amazing guitar work.
Nobody’s Fault This is the heaviest song on the album. The guitars are loud, the vocals are in-your-face and distorted. The chorus is a bit poppy, “Sorry, you’re so sorry” but comes at the perfect time to break up all the heavy guitar riffs. Great song….anyone ready for a beer?
Get the Lead Out Another song with a funky, gritty beat. I love the use of the cliché “hey good lookin’, what cha got there cookin”, which gives the song a southern rock feel. Again the band uses the technique of jamming for the last part of the song, this seems to be a pattern on this album.
Lick and a Promise This song has some good hooks and riffs and a quick drum beat. The lyrics are weak, about the music lifestyle, but still not too bad.
Home Tonight As typical of Aerosmith, they end the album with a ballad. This is not the greatest ballad, but does have some heartfelt lyrics and really does seem like the song is saying goodnight to whomever is listening to the song.
Even though this album has a few weak points, like the last two songs on the album, “Rocks” is still a solid album. This album is a pivotal point for Aerosmith, it is where they had to keep up the momentum after having the success they saw from “Toys in the Attic”. Although, this album didn’t make as huge an impact, it still has some of the best guitar work that Aerosmith has ever recorded.
My rating for listening pleasure 5/5.
Album: Rocks
Released: 1976
Remastered: 1993 by Sony Music Distribution
Label: Columbia
Genre: Hard Rock / Blues-Rock / Heavy Metal
Personnel and credits:
• Steven Tyler - lead vocals, percussion, electric bass, keyboards, harmonica, arranger
• Joe Perry - guitar, vocals, background vocals, percussion, 6-string bass, steel guitar, lap steel guitar, electric bass
• Brad Whitford - guitar, 1st solo on "Last Child"
• Tom Hamilton - bass, guitar, electric bass
• Joey Kramer - drums, percussion , background vocals
With
• Paul Prestopino - banjo
• Jack Douglas – production, arranger
1. "Back in the Saddle" Steven Tyler, Joe Perry 4:40
2. "Last Child" Tyler, Brad Whitford 3:26
3. "Rats in the Cellar" Tyler, Perry 4:07
4. "Combination" Perry 3:39
5. "Sick as a Dog" Tyler, Tom Hamilton 4:12
6. "Nobody's Fault" Tyler, Whitford 4:25
7. "Get the Lead Out" Tyler, Perry 3:43
8. "Lick and a Promise" Tyler, Perry 3:05
9. "Home Tonight" Tyler 3:18
The Album:
“ Rocks” is the 4th release from Aerosmith and came off the presses with platinum status and currently holds a 4x platinum certification by the RIAA. This album has had some great influence in the rock industry becoming an influence to Nirvana (where Kurt listed this album in his journal as one of his favorites), Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue, and Metallica. The Album holds two radio friendly hits which charted in the top 40, “Last Child” and “Back in the Saddle” along with two other notable hits, “Home Tonight” and “Rats in the Cellar”. This album is my personal favorite, it captures Aerosmith in their most raw, gritty, nasty, hard hitting rock thus far. This album was made during the height of the band’s drug and alcohol addictions, which IMO, only helped to bring out the rock n’ roll funkiness they had locked inside. After having such great success with “Toys in the Attic” the band was hard pressed to come up with another hard hitting album, and “Rocks” measured up to the expectation, although it wasn’t as commercially successful. Nonetheless, this album is Aerosmith at their best. IMO, this album is where Joe Perry makes his strongest case to be called one of the best guitarists in rock n’ roll, and Tyler is definitely one of the raunchiest vocalists in rock, but one heck of a frontman, always full of energy. They rhythm section (Hamilton and Kramer) is undeniably one of the best in rock n’ roll. This album is aptly named, because it just Rocks!
The Music:
Back in the Saddle This is the quintessential Aerosmith tune. It is growling, kick ass rock. With some great 6-string bass solos from Perry, screaming Tyler vocals “ I’m Baaaaaaaaack”, and a lot of background noise and western howls which gives the song the cowboy rocker effect that only Douglas can accomplish in his productions.
Last Child Starts out sleepy and slow then explodes into a funky guitar riff. The riff is one of the best riffs that Perry and Whitford ever created, IMO, and they created this one on a whim, never expecting it to be a favorite of fans. The lyrics are essentially nonsensical, but seem to work for the song, and the chorus kicks in towards the end of the song in magnificent clarity by Tyler.
Rats in the Cellar A fast paced song that moves in a frenzy of vocals to the final minute or so of the song just being pure jam. Not one of the best songs, IMO, but the jam at the end is notorious.
Combination A deep sound, gritty and slow, with some great guitar work and a great beat. An underrated track, and very original, again using somewhat random lyrics, but you can use your imagination “I found the secret, the key to it all”.
Sick As A Dog This is one of my favorite songs on the album. The song uses catchy lyrics, has a great rhythm, and has some amazing guitar work.
Nobody’s Fault This is the heaviest song on the album. The guitars are loud, the vocals are in-your-face and distorted. The chorus is a bit poppy, “Sorry, you’re so sorry” but comes at the perfect time to break up all the heavy guitar riffs. Great song….anyone ready for a beer?
Get the Lead Out Another song with a funky, gritty beat. I love the use of the cliché “hey good lookin’, what cha got there cookin”, which gives the song a southern rock feel. Again the band uses the technique of jamming for the last part of the song, this seems to be a pattern on this album.
Lick and a Promise This song has some good hooks and riffs and a quick drum beat. The lyrics are weak, about the music lifestyle, but still not too bad.
Home Tonight As typical of Aerosmith, they end the album with a ballad. This is not the greatest ballad, but does have some heartfelt lyrics and really does seem like the song is saying goodnight to whomever is listening to the song.
Even though this album has a few weak points, like the last two songs on the album, “Rocks” is still a solid album. This album is a pivotal point for Aerosmith, it is where they had to keep up the momentum after having the success they saw from “Toys in the Attic”. Although, this album didn’t make as huge an impact, it still has some of the best guitar work that Aerosmith has ever recorded.
My rating for listening pleasure 5/5.
