Aerosmith
Rock in a Hard Place
Released in 1982 by Columbia
Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal
Personnel:
• Steven Tyler - lead vocals
• Jimmy Crespo - guitar, backing vocals
• Rick Dufay - guitar
• Tom Hamilton - bass
• Joey Kramer - drums
with
• Paul Harris - piano ("Push Comes to Shove")
• Brad Whitford – additional musician (“Lightning Strikes”)
• John Turi - saxophone ("Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat)")
• Reinhard Straub - violin ("Joanie's Butterfly")
• John Lievano - guitar ("Joanie's Butterfly")
• Jack Douglas - percussion, production
1. "Jailbait" Steven Tyler, Jimmy Crespo 4:38
2. "Lightning Strikes" Richard Supa 4:26
3. "Bitch's Brew" Tyler, Crespo 4:14
4. "Bolivian Ragamuffin" Tyler, Crespo 3:32
5. "Cry Me a River" Arthur Hamilton 4:06
6. "Prelude to Joanie" Tyler 1:21
7. "Joanie's Butterfly" Tyler, Crespo, Jack Douglas 5:35
8. "Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat)" Tyler, Crespo, Douglas 4:46
9. "Jig Is Up" Tyler, Crespo 3:10
10. "Push Comes to Shove" Tyler 4:28
The Album:
This is the 7th release by Aerosmith and had some major personnel changes. These personnel changes were the result of disputes between band members. First big notable change is the absence of Joe Perry, who left the band in 1979 after a dispute with Steven Tyler immediately after a concert appearance. “Rock in a Hard Place” would be the only album ever recorded by Aerosmith without Perry. Another loss to the band was Brad Whitford, who left the band during the recording of this album in 1981, but still appears on the album in the song “Lightning Strikes” playing rhythm guitar and was given credits as an ‘additional musician’. I am reviewing this album for two reasons; one being my devotion to the band, and the other reason is this album was the only album during Aerosmith’s 10 year long hiatus (the period between 1977 and 1987) that had 2 key band members missing. This album demonstrates that Aerosmith had a magical chemistry between its band members that could never be reproduced with any replacements. “Rock in a Hard Place” is also the most studio-enhanced album that was ever recorded by Aerosmith.
The Music:
Jailbait This song is co-written by Tyler and new member Jimmy Crespo, and offers nothing but flat, bland music. The song is too repetitive and long, and Tyler’s vocals are screeching and really have no feeling whatsoever. The worst song on the album, IMO.
Lightning Strikes This song is a hidden gem from Aerosmith, and if you listen to any song from this album, I hope it is this song. If this song had been on any other album than “Rock in a Hard Place” it would be considered an Aerosmith classic. This song has a funky groove, and some catchy hooks. One of the better songs recorded by Aerosmith that wasn’t written or co-written by Tyler. Whitford still has credit for playing on this song, which is an added bonus.
Bitch’s Brew Another fairly decent song, but still is lacking the funk and spark that is so classic to Aerosmith. The tightness of the rhythm section of Hamilton and Kramer are very evident in this song. The lyrics are interesting but Tyler just doesn’t sing with the fire and brimstone that should have been seen with this song.
Bolivian Ragamuffin The lyrics are random and sung in a “rap” fashion, extremely fast paced. The music is also fast paced, not in a bad way, there are still some catchy hooks, and the boogie feel lets you know you are still experiencing Aerosmith.
Cry Me a River A cover of a jazz song written by Arthur Hamilton, originally intended to be recorded by Ella Fitzgerald but was first recorded by Julie London, and Joe Cocker did the first rock version of this song in 1970. This song is actually a beautiful song, and Tyler just didn’t sound good imitating a female vocalist. But I will give him credit for having clarity. The band did a good job with the music, which makes the song worth listening to.
Prelude to Joanie This prelude is extremely psychedelic. Written by Tyler, and is the lead to the preceeding song.
Joanie’s Butterfly This song mixes well with the prelude in keeping with the psychedelic feel. The song is strong lyrically and has some great acoustic effects. I found this song to be a pleasant surprise setting a melancholy mood. It is the one song on the album where the band seems to be cohesive in their music efforts.
Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat) The title track, is another goodie from the album. A great groove, with tons of boogie. Tyler is in better form on this song. I consider this song a solid rock n’ roll song from the new Aerosmith line-up.
Jig is Up I like this song, also. It is catchy and funky. The main problem with this song is it is too repetitive. There just doesn’t seem to be any creativity in this song, but I enjoy listening to it. I know it is just “fluff” for the album, but still gets a decent rating from me because it is a fun song.
Push Comes to Shove Another non-creative song with Tyler attempting a “blues” style vocal. This song left me thinking what the hell? This song is actually funny, if you listen to the lyrics.
In summation, I had to get this album just to experience Aerosmith when they were at their absolute destitute and worst moment of their career. I will give the new member, Jimmy Crespo, tons of credit for trying to make an impact not only with songwriting (he co-wrote 6 of the 10 songs), but with guitar skills. He tried to fill Joe Perry’s shoes, but just didn’t have what Joe had to offer. This album lacks imagination when it comes to lyrics and music, even the best song on the album, “Lightning Strikes” is weak lyrically. I don’t know how much Rick Dufay contributed to the album, I couldn’t tell when he played, to be honest. What I find amazing, though, are the songs co-written by Douglas seem to be the songs that “sound” the most like what you would expect Aerosmith to sound like. Douglas had to come into the game when Tyler was basically nonfunctional, just to complete the album. A very disappointing album, indeed.
My rating for listening pleasure, 2.5/5
Rock in a Hard Place
Released in 1982 by Columbia
Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal
Personnel:
• Steven Tyler - lead vocals
• Jimmy Crespo - guitar, backing vocals
• Rick Dufay - guitar
• Tom Hamilton - bass
• Joey Kramer - drums
with
• Paul Harris - piano ("Push Comes to Shove")
• Brad Whitford – additional musician (“Lightning Strikes”)
• John Turi - saxophone ("Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat)")
• Reinhard Straub - violin ("Joanie's Butterfly")
• John Lievano - guitar ("Joanie's Butterfly")
• Jack Douglas - percussion, production
1. "Jailbait" Steven Tyler, Jimmy Crespo 4:38
2. "Lightning Strikes" Richard Supa 4:26
3. "Bitch's Brew" Tyler, Crespo 4:14
4. "Bolivian Ragamuffin" Tyler, Crespo 3:32
5. "Cry Me a River" Arthur Hamilton 4:06
6. "Prelude to Joanie" Tyler 1:21
7. "Joanie's Butterfly" Tyler, Crespo, Jack Douglas 5:35
8. "Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat)" Tyler, Crespo, Douglas 4:46
9. "Jig Is Up" Tyler, Crespo 3:10
10. "Push Comes to Shove" Tyler 4:28
The Album:
This is the 7th release by Aerosmith and had some major personnel changes. These personnel changes were the result of disputes between band members. First big notable change is the absence of Joe Perry, who left the band in 1979 after a dispute with Steven Tyler immediately after a concert appearance. “Rock in a Hard Place” would be the only album ever recorded by Aerosmith without Perry. Another loss to the band was Brad Whitford, who left the band during the recording of this album in 1981, but still appears on the album in the song “Lightning Strikes” playing rhythm guitar and was given credits as an ‘additional musician’. I am reviewing this album for two reasons; one being my devotion to the band, and the other reason is this album was the only album during Aerosmith’s 10 year long hiatus (the period between 1977 and 1987) that had 2 key band members missing. This album demonstrates that Aerosmith had a magical chemistry between its band members that could never be reproduced with any replacements. “Rock in a Hard Place” is also the most studio-enhanced album that was ever recorded by Aerosmith.
The Music:
Jailbait This song is co-written by Tyler and new member Jimmy Crespo, and offers nothing but flat, bland music. The song is too repetitive and long, and Tyler’s vocals are screeching and really have no feeling whatsoever. The worst song on the album, IMO.
Lightning Strikes This song is a hidden gem from Aerosmith, and if you listen to any song from this album, I hope it is this song. If this song had been on any other album than “Rock in a Hard Place” it would be considered an Aerosmith classic. This song has a funky groove, and some catchy hooks. One of the better songs recorded by Aerosmith that wasn’t written or co-written by Tyler. Whitford still has credit for playing on this song, which is an added bonus.
Bitch’s Brew Another fairly decent song, but still is lacking the funk and spark that is so classic to Aerosmith. The tightness of the rhythm section of Hamilton and Kramer are very evident in this song. The lyrics are interesting but Tyler just doesn’t sing with the fire and brimstone that should have been seen with this song.
Bolivian Ragamuffin The lyrics are random and sung in a “rap” fashion, extremely fast paced. The music is also fast paced, not in a bad way, there are still some catchy hooks, and the boogie feel lets you know you are still experiencing Aerosmith.
Cry Me a River A cover of a jazz song written by Arthur Hamilton, originally intended to be recorded by Ella Fitzgerald but was first recorded by Julie London, and Joe Cocker did the first rock version of this song in 1970. This song is actually a beautiful song, and Tyler just didn’t sound good imitating a female vocalist. But I will give him credit for having clarity. The band did a good job with the music, which makes the song worth listening to.
Prelude to Joanie This prelude is extremely psychedelic. Written by Tyler, and is the lead to the preceeding song.
Joanie’s Butterfly This song mixes well with the prelude in keeping with the psychedelic feel. The song is strong lyrically and has some great acoustic effects. I found this song to be a pleasant surprise setting a melancholy mood. It is the one song on the album where the band seems to be cohesive in their music efforts.
Rock in a Hard Place (Cheshire Cat) The title track, is another goodie from the album. A great groove, with tons of boogie. Tyler is in better form on this song. I consider this song a solid rock n’ roll song from the new Aerosmith line-up.
Jig is Up I like this song, also. It is catchy and funky. The main problem with this song is it is too repetitive. There just doesn’t seem to be any creativity in this song, but I enjoy listening to it. I know it is just “fluff” for the album, but still gets a decent rating from me because it is a fun song.
Push Comes to Shove Another non-creative song with Tyler attempting a “blues” style vocal. This song left me thinking what the hell? This song is actually funny, if you listen to the lyrics.
In summation, I had to get this album just to experience Aerosmith when they were at their absolute destitute and worst moment of their career. I will give the new member, Jimmy Crespo, tons of credit for trying to make an impact not only with songwriting (he co-wrote 6 of the 10 songs), but with guitar skills. He tried to fill Joe Perry’s shoes, but just didn’t have what Joe had to offer. This album lacks imagination when it comes to lyrics and music, even the best song on the album, “Lightning Strikes” is weak lyrically. I don’t know how much Rick Dufay contributed to the album, I couldn’t tell when he played, to be honest. What I find amazing, though, are the songs co-written by Douglas seem to be the songs that “sound” the most like what you would expect Aerosmith to sound like. Douglas had to come into the game when Tyler was basically nonfunctional, just to complete the album. A very disappointing album, indeed.
My rating for listening pleasure, 2.5/5
