An Aerosmith Album that Still Rocks Hard

A track-by-track review of Rocks by Aerosmith. Rock music doesn't get any better than this.

I could’ve dreamt on, visualizing that rock isn’t simply for me. Alt-rock, maybe, but core rock is something I’ve never gotten used to. I played rock albums front to back at one point, hoping to feel something. But I felt no excitement, no tingling. Nothing.

And then I heard this album.

Released in 1976, Rocks is a piece of art. One of the Aerosmith’s finest projects.

Back in the Saddle

The buildup to the track does something to you. From the guitar stabs scattered throughout the track to the very subtle tambourines in the background, everything made me want to drop everything and just dance. Steven Tyler screams his heart out towards the outro to the track, and we even get a nice guitar solo to conclude the show. The mere two-second riff that hits when all but ten seconds are left in the track was probably my favourite riff. I can’t believe this was only the first song. I have high hopes for what will follow. Easy 9/10.

Last Child

When I heard the initial strings over some layered melodic vocals, I wasn’t expecting the bassline to come in like that and switch up the entire vibe. I love this song, more so because it’s tough to follow up to such a banger intro. How do you do it? The answer is, you do it like this. If I was a movie director, I’d introduce my protagonists to this song. It has that energy. The electric guitar is scary good. And oh, the track transitions very, very smoothly into track 3. Sucker for transitions, sorry.

Rats in the Cellar

This track switches it up, bringing in fast-tempoed drums and a flurry of crazy bite-sized solos that are DELECTABLE, to say the least. I can’t remember the last time I heard percussion mixed so well in a track. I could hear each shaker, each tambourine wiggle in the background without even trying. Second half of the song, the keys (and I think the strings) leave, only to make way for a sick series of guitar plucks to shine over the hottest bassline ever. You know what, consider me sold on this album.

Combination

I liked the chords instantly. They reminded me of no other song, which is literally always a win. Also, how are their chords mixed in so well with the bass is a mystery I’m trying to decipher. Ooh, the bass. The bass that never feels overwhelming throughout this four-minute track. This is just the pinnacle of sound mixing. The strings did get a little loud for me towards the end, but get this – they had a whole one-minute outro that switches the drums up, brings back the cymbals and tambourines in a fantastic fashion, and just completes the track really, really well. The track really escalated from a seven to an eight-point five for me. Wow.

Sick as a Dog

Love the title choice, really. Loved the soft touch of bells over the strings that lead into the song. Loved Steven’s voice on this track, a lot. The melody is catchy. Not catchy enough to beat other songs, but you can’t complain about good music, can you? The track was a little monotonous, but it’s honestly one of those tracks that’ll help me clean my house faster, thanks to the sheer amount of happy hormones this is gonna help me generate. Again, the second half of the track outshines the rest of the song EASILY, but I think this might just be Aerosmith’s tag. And holy, the track ended on a weirdly solemn note. Almost like the next-track-was-gonna-be-a-little-different note.

Nobody’s Fault

Was that an ambient intro? Six songs in, Aerosmith pulls off an ambient intro to take me by complete surprise. And a second surprise, when the gritty, grungy bassline pulled the track away from its initial atmosphere. Not a big fan of the bridge. However, a big fan of the guitar stabs in the song. The first short solo is invigorating and powerful. I wish it was longer, but then I also wish I was beefier. The second solo drifts off into the outro. Goddamn, Aerosmith is really good at pulling outros off.

Get the Lead Out

At this point, I was just waiting for a bad song. You don’t just get six good songs in a row. But when Steven goes Hey good lookin, I melted. One of the catchiest vocals on the album, for sure. Lovely track, catchy chords and a great set of vocals. Guys. WHAT DO I COMPLAIN ABOUT? YOU DON’T JUST WRITE ABOUT MUSIC AND DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT IT!!

Lick and a Promise

Was the initial fade-in a promise that the track was gonna blow my socks off? Almost. This was clearly a happy/angsty anthem, and I was all for it. I could get drunk to this song. I could headbang to this song. I will probably headbang to this at some point. One of my least favourite tracks on the album so far, but in no way is this a bad track. It’s a great track – I just think number eight isn’t the spot for it. I’M STILL NOT COMPLAINING, IT’S A GREAT TRACK.

Back in the Saddle

I was scared I wasn’t gonna like this. I’m glad I was wrong though, for a) I’m a fan of this tempo. Like, I loved the drum set on this track. It almost reminds me of a Led Zeppelin song. A really cool Led Zeppelin song. Kashmir, maybe? The short ‘n’ sweet guitar solo fading into nothingness was the perfect way to close out the album.

Loved Rocks. LOVED IT. Went into the album riding on nothing but Aerosmith’s reputation, and I am so glad I did. If you have more recommendations like this, drop a comment. Let me know. I NEED NEW MUSIC.