Continuing the quarter century journey with the Toxic Twins, et al.
Aerosmith – Rocks -1976 (Buy it)
Tasty.
Big.
Sonic.
Rocks is better than Toys in the Attic and that’s really saying something. In many ways this album is the progenitor of 80s glam metal. It’s all there. The big, epic soaring ballads that Journey would cheeseball the hell out of (Home Tonight). The sleaze that Motley Crue would lay (false) claim to (Get the Lead Out). The template for Ratt, Winger, GnR (Rats in the Cellar). I even hear some Hagar-era Van Halen on Combination.
Rocks also carries the biggest blasts in the Aerosmith arsenal. Well, a couple more of them, at least. Back in the Saddle is catchy as hell and Last Child is the stuff FM AOR was created for.
Rocks deserves its place in the Best Records of the ’70s pantheon. It’s a really great record that leaves the “American Rolling Stones” label in the dust. In fact, I bet the Glimmer Twins were looking at the Toxic Twins for inspiration after this record.
Grade A+
A Side: Back in the Saddle, Last Child, Rats in the Cellar
BlindSide: Sick as a Dog, Get the Lead Out
Downside: Nothing. They are at their peak here.
