Band: Aerosmith
Album: Draw the Line
Released: 1977
Label: Columbia
Genre: Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal
Personnel :
• Steven Tyler - Lead Vocals
• Joe Perry - Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals On "Bright Light Fright"
• Brad Whitford - Guitar
• Tom Hamilton - Bass
• Joey Kramer - Drums, Percussion
With
• Stan Bronstein - Saxophone
• Scott Cushnie - Piano
• Jack Douglas - mandolin, production
• Karen Lawrence - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
• Paul Prestopino - Banjo
1 Draw the Line 3:23
2 I Wanna Know Why 3:09
3 Critical Mass 4:53
4 Get It Up 4:02
5 Bright Light Fright 2:19
6 Kings and Queens 4:55
7 The Hand That Feeds 4:23
8 Sight for Sore Eyes 3:56
9 Milk Cow Blues 4:14
The Album: This is the 5th album by Aerosmith and currently holds a 2x platinum status with the RIAA. Neither the band name or the logo appear anywhere on the album sleeve. The caricature cover drawing was done by Al Hirschfeld, who was famous for his black and white drawings of celebrities. The album was recorded in an abandoned convent, Cenacle, the band rented in New York, where the band lived while recording the album, doing the three things they loved most; partying, playing music, and living life on the edge. This album didn’t leave the best impression on me, it has a crazy mash-up of music styles but nothing spectacular, fairly haphazard with hit-and-miss songs but just interesting enough for me to listen to. The band definitely was having some difficulties at this time with over inflated egos, excessive life styles, and some professional problems, and I feel these problems are reflected in this album. This album appears to be a dropping off point for Aerosmith, but still manages to have some really good work from the band. Most of the songs seem rushed with poor production, but I still like the album, it just isn’t the super hit that I found in “Toys in the Attic” or “Rocks”.
The Music:
Draw the Line The title track of the album, and the biggest hit to come from this album. This song has a fantastic slide guitar riff from Perry. The vocals are terrible, Tyler is screeching at the top of his lungs, to the point I can barely understand what he is saying in the middle of the song.
I Wanna Know Why This song is one of those songs you just think to yourself, what was the band trying to do here? I will say it does have a decent boogie to it, though.
Critical Mass This song returns to more of what I would expect Aerosmith to record. A great bass line from Hamilton, some harmonica solos, excellent experimental guitar work, and a great story line to the lyrics.
Get it Up I am not real impressed with this song, but it is reminiscent of past Aerosmith songs. Perry does some great slide work, and Tyler sings about sex and alcohol, of course. I will say the chorus is catchy, though.
Bright Light Fright I have nothing to say about this song that is positive. But Perry insisted this song be on the album, and no wonder, this was his first time being recorded as the lead vocalist. This song is horrid.
Kings and Queens This song is my personal favorite from the album. The heaviest song on the album, with a deep, dark sound, melancholy pace, and medieval lyrics. The guitar solos are decent, Tyler’s vocals are clear and precise, and the piano arrangement is outstanding.
The Hand That Feeds Another song I consider unpleasant. The vocals are screeching with the line “The only thing left to do is bite the hand that feeds me”…….definitely sends a message about what is happening to the band’s careers at this point.
Sight for Sore Eyes This song is a funky song, with a good groove. There is a decent solo, too, in the middle of the song. I like the lyrics, “She is a sight for sore eyes”, kinda made me wonder what kind of girls they were hanging with during this time to write such a song.
Milk Cow Blues This is the first album that didn’t end with a ballad. This song has a cute, happy riff and some fantastic harmonica work. A decent remake of the Kinks rendition.
This album isn’t a total loss, but it was a very rushed album, that was thrown together literally in a matter of weeks. Columbia Records had the pressure on Aerosmith to meet the formula of releasing an album a year, plus meet all the commitments of touring. The band was tired, did too much drugs and alcohol, and they were out of inspiration. “Draw the Line” was almost the end for Aerosmith, but also was the “party” album for the band. If it weren't for "Draw the Line", "Critical Mass", "Kings and Queens", and "Sight for Sore Eyes", I would not even consider recommending the album to anyone, but there is just enough in those songs to make the album worth having.
My rating for listening pleasure 3.5/5
Album: Draw the Line
Released: 1977
Label: Columbia
Genre: Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal
Personnel :
• Steven Tyler - Lead Vocals
• Joe Perry - Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals On "Bright Light Fright"
• Brad Whitford - Guitar
• Tom Hamilton - Bass
• Joey Kramer - Drums, Percussion
With
• Stan Bronstein - Saxophone
• Scott Cushnie - Piano
• Jack Douglas - mandolin, production
• Karen Lawrence - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
• Paul Prestopino - Banjo
1 Draw the Line 3:23
2 I Wanna Know Why 3:09
3 Critical Mass 4:53
4 Get It Up 4:02
5 Bright Light Fright 2:19
6 Kings and Queens 4:55
7 The Hand That Feeds 4:23
8 Sight for Sore Eyes 3:56
9 Milk Cow Blues 4:14
The Album: This is the 5th album by Aerosmith and currently holds a 2x platinum status with the RIAA. Neither the band name or the logo appear anywhere on the album sleeve. The caricature cover drawing was done by Al Hirschfeld, who was famous for his black and white drawings of celebrities. The album was recorded in an abandoned convent, Cenacle, the band rented in New York, where the band lived while recording the album, doing the three things they loved most; partying, playing music, and living life on the edge. This album didn’t leave the best impression on me, it has a crazy mash-up of music styles but nothing spectacular, fairly haphazard with hit-and-miss songs but just interesting enough for me to listen to. The band definitely was having some difficulties at this time with over inflated egos, excessive life styles, and some professional problems, and I feel these problems are reflected in this album. This album appears to be a dropping off point for Aerosmith, but still manages to have some really good work from the band. Most of the songs seem rushed with poor production, but I still like the album, it just isn’t the super hit that I found in “Toys in the Attic” or “Rocks”.
The Music:
Draw the Line The title track of the album, and the biggest hit to come from this album. This song has a fantastic slide guitar riff from Perry. The vocals are terrible, Tyler is screeching at the top of his lungs, to the point I can barely understand what he is saying in the middle of the song.
I Wanna Know Why This song is one of those songs you just think to yourself, what was the band trying to do here? I will say it does have a decent boogie to it, though.
Critical Mass This song returns to more of what I would expect Aerosmith to record. A great bass line from Hamilton, some harmonica solos, excellent experimental guitar work, and a great story line to the lyrics.
Get it Up I am not real impressed with this song, but it is reminiscent of past Aerosmith songs. Perry does some great slide work, and Tyler sings about sex and alcohol, of course. I will say the chorus is catchy, though.
Bright Light Fright I have nothing to say about this song that is positive. But Perry insisted this song be on the album, and no wonder, this was his first time being recorded as the lead vocalist. This song is horrid.
Kings and Queens This song is my personal favorite from the album. The heaviest song on the album, with a deep, dark sound, melancholy pace, and medieval lyrics. The guitar solos are decent, Tyler’s vocals are clear and precise, and the piano arrangement is outstanding.
The Hand That Feeds Another song I consider unpleasant. The vocals are screeching with the line “The only thing left to do is bite the hand that feeds me”…….definitely sends a message about what is happening to the band’s careers at this point.
Sight for Sore Eyes This song is a funky song, with a good groove. There is a decent solo, too, in the middle of the song. I like the lyrics, “She is a sight for sore eyes”, kinda made me wonder what kind of girls they were hanging with during this time to write such a song.
Milk Cow Blues This is the first album that didn’t end with a ballad. This song has a cute, happy riff and some fantastic harmonica work. A decent remake of the Kinks rendition.
This album isn’t a total loss, but it was a very rushed album, that was thrown together literally in a matter of weeks. Columbia Records had the pressure on Aerosmith to meet the formula of releasing an album a year, plus meet all the commitments of touring. The band was tired, did too much drugs and alcohol, and they were out of inspiration. “Draw the Line” was almost the end for Aerosmith, but also was the “party” album for the band. If it weren't for "Draw the Line", "Critical Mass", "Kings and Queens", and "Sight for Sore Eyes", I would not even consider recommending the album to anyone, but there is just enough in those songs to make the album worth having.
My rating for listening pleasure 3.5/5
