Monday, October 9, 2023

Album Highlight #17: Aerosmith by Aerosmith

 Aerosmith - Aerosmith 



Record Label: Columbia KC 32005

Released: January 5, 1973 (Compact Disc Reissue 1993)

Aerosmith:

Steve Tyler - Lead Vocal

Joe Perry - Lead Guitar

Brad Whitford - Rhythm Guitar

Tom Hamilton - Bass

Joey Kramer - Drum


Track Listing:

  1. Make It
  2. Somebody
  3. Dream On
  4. One Way Street
  5. Mama Kin
  6. Write Me
  7. Movin' Out
  8. Walkin' the Dog
Produced By Adrian Barber
Recorded at Intermedia Studios in Boston, Massachusett October 1972



This was Aerosmith's debut album. By many accounts, their sound, production, and support from their label could have been more robust. It seemed they were a bit nervous at first. Steve Tyler complained he sounded like Kermit the Frog. Joe Perry said he never got the sound he wanted in the studio but didn't know how to do much in the studio being a novice. It was recorded fairly quick with minimal production beyond what the band played. Even the album cover looks like it was just scraped together without much effort or care. It was speculated that the label was throwing much more effort into another rookie artist from New Jersey called Bruce Springsteen whose debut album came out the same day. Bruce had some nerve.



Despite all the negatives I still think this is a good album. I don't hear the "Kermit" voice Tyler speaks of but I do agree their sound does sound thinner than later albums. The song 'Dream On" would enjoy success as an early example power ballad. "Mama Kin" would become a favorite and "One Way Street" is a hidden gem. 



Aerosmith Official Website

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