It’s one of the most admired and strong debut albums in all of rock. A while it didn’t take off initially like say, Van Halen’s debut or Poison’s, it set a standard of hard rock excellence that would eventually morph into Aerosmith claiming the title “America’s Greatest Rock Band.’ It all starts with their excellent debut album.
While the album does contain the legendary ‘Dream On,’ the album and single didn’t take off immediately. But that doesn’t make it any less bad ass. And sure, the album would be eclipsed by later material. Even the follow up record ‘Get Your Wings’ is superior. But it’s also one of the best Aerosmith albums period so, that’s a pretty high standard. Either way, the debut album wasn’t an instant hit. But it started the road down to what can only be described as one of the greatest stories in all of popular music.
It’s raw, loaded with attitude and a sense of purpose. Aerosmith’s song writing would become stronger as the years went by. Which gives the debut a unique place in the sound of the bands work. It’s not fully morphed Aerosmith. Steven Tyler is still singing in his blues impressionist voice. Before finding his own. The riffs are as simplistic as can be. There’s a considerable amount of cover material. And it’s just a pinch before the legendary Tyler/Perry songwriting duo would truly emerge. But that doesn’t stop the debut album from having great material.
‘Make It’ is a terrific opener. A song that I would to see get some resurrection. It’d be great as an opening or second track in a set. Plus, it would breathe some fresh life into Aerosmith’s set. ‘Somebody’ follows with excellent swagger. ‘Mama Kin’ and ‘Dream On’ would go on to achieve legendary status as live hits. Then there’s ‘Movin’ Out,’ the first Tyler/Perry collaboration. A passionate, simple, in the moment song about, you guessed it, moving out. It’s a glimpse of the band predicting their futures. On to bigger and better things is the theme. ‘Write Me A Letter’ has excellent swing coupled with Perry and Whitfords thick guitar tone. Setting a prescient that would continue for 48 years. But the highlight on the album is the cover of ‘Walkin’ the Dog.’ It’s fun, sexy, bluesy and straight forward. To me, it’s the song on the album that really sets the standard of what Aerosmith sounds like, would sound like and have sounded like for the past half century.
All in all, it’s a great album. A unique debut. And a step into the door of what would become the greatest American rock band of all time. Celebrate it, crank it and have fun!
