Search - Aerosmith :: Greatest Hits (Steel Box)

The best compositional aspects of Aerosmith?...

Jeff T. Jesmorh | Mexico City. | 01/26/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is not really a "Greatest Hits" album, what you have in front of you is the imported english version of the GEMS album, released in 1988, and from another point of view (at lest for me!), it's a complement of the "Greatest Hits" album released at the beggining of eighties (1981); because the tracks contained here, really shows the more creative compositional way of underrated members Brad Withford and Tom Hamilton, aside of the main compositional creative output of Aerosmith: singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry.



Strong numbers like "Round And Round" (TOYS IN THE ATTIC, 1975); "Nobody's Fault", "Rats In The Cellar" (ROCKS, 1976); or "Critical Mass" (DRAW THE LINE, 1977) are a good example of the deep inventiveness and the musical evolution of the band impulsed by these two members; as a matter of fact hits like "Sweet Emotion" (not contained here) were based on a repetitive Bass riff of musician Tom Hamilton. The studio versions of "Chip Away The Stone" and "Mama Kin", they're simply hard demanded live tracks aside another commonly over played cover: "Train Kept A Rollin'".



Songs like "Adams Apple" and "Lick And A Promise" shows the less complicated, and old fashioned side of the band starringed by young composer Steven Tyler alone, while his "Lord Of The Thigs" is his most sensual and incisive. Finally, "No Surprize" (NIGHT IN THE RUTS, 1979) and "Jailbait" (ROCK IN A HARD PLACE, 1980) are good tracks. Unfortunately, since the lack of creativity in nineties and the compositional asociation of Steven Tyler with Desmond Child, I stopped listen the band untill the film NINE LIVES and ARMAGEDDON... But to resume, I can tell you for sure, that you will find some of the best compositional vintage aspects of band here. Good Luck!...



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