AEROSMITH “MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION!” – Here’s What I Think About This Album…
AEROSMITH – Call it nostalgia. Call it an impulse purchase. Call it being a big softy for Classic Rock. Call it appreciating Aerosmith’s perseverance and the majority of their albums; especially their catalog from the 70’s decade. Regardless of all the reasons, I bought Aerosmith’s 15th studio (album) CD, Music From Another Dimension! (Columbia), on November 6th at my local Super Walmart.
I’ve listened to this new Aerosmith CD several times now and I dig most of it. Music From Another Dimension! doesn’t Rock like 70’s Aerosmith, then again this CD doesn’t Rock like 80’s or 90’s Aerosmith either. This new Aerosmith offering does Rock, let there be no mistake. Lot’s of (radio friendly) Rock/Hard Rock relevance, mixed together with funky and bluesy vibes and a solid nod to good ol’ American Rock ‘N’ Roll. Aerosmith has a whiz-bang album here; trying to top any of their early classics or 80’s chart-toppers isn’t what I was looking for anyways.
Steven Tyler’s vocals are so trademarked that it’s astonishing. Really, who else has ever or currently sounds like Steven Tyler? Steven Tyler, Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass) and Joey Kramer (drums) all sound groovy, like a well oiled Aerosmith machine. Good and well written songs coupled with legendary musicians sure do go a very long way. Aerosmith certainly surprised me here, I was afraid this new album was going to be overly sticky bubble-gum. Instead it’s a good time on the mainstream Rock ‘N’ Roll highway.
Carrie Underwood sings a duet with Steven Tyler on Can’t Stop Lovin’ You. I wish Joan Jett, Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, Stevie Nicks or Ann Wilson sang a duet with Steven Tyler on this album instead. Can’t Stop Lovin’ You is a fine song, I just would have appreciated a legendary Classic Rock gal instead. Then again, that’s just me.
Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp sings backing vocals on Freedom Fighter. Who cares. I really don’t. Apparently I never answered the phone quick enough to get that backing vocal gig with Aerosmith. Next time I’ll hustle to my cell phone or at least listen to my messages quicker. Um… yeah.
I recommend this CD to my fellow Rockaholics, it’s all good and understood that this album was intended for widespread appeal. That’s a given. A new generation of Aerosmith fans will certainly be sowed, courtesy of this band’s always current world-wide popularity and new album. Here’s some last second Rockin’ advice: while you listen to Music From Another Dimension!, just pretend that American Idol doesn’t exist and everything will be okay.
So that’s about it. I’m not gonna blab anything more about Music From Another Dimension! other than:
1. I really, really, really dig the album cover artwork. Retro rules.
2. Another Last Goodbye is a (gulp) ballad. Ugh.
2. The Walmart version of this CD has the exclusive bonus track: Shakey Ground. It’s a Rockin’ cool song for a bonus track, making for a terrific way to close out this new Aerosmith album.
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LONG LIVE AEROSMITH.
Stone.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
November 8, 2012 at 5:14 am
Okay. Firstly, oh yeah! TOTALLY would want Bonnie Raitt or Melissa to duet with Tyler! Good call, Stone! Secondly, what’s up with Johnny D? has he suddenly become a wannabe muso? He popped up on Patti Smith’s “Banga” too! Enough already Johnny! Make movies!
Thirdly, you’re so right about Tyler’s vocal, it’s utterly unique, I love it.
And finally….is ‘Shakey Ground” the old temptations/phoebe snow funk number?- because if it is, I HAVE to have the wal-mart version!! Aerosmith totally suit that song man! \m/\m/
November 8, 2012 at 10:43 am
Thanks Kev!
Regarding “Shakey Ground”, the 3 writers credited for the song in the liner notes are: Jeffrey Bowen, Alphonso Boyd & Edward Earl Hazel. Without doubt, this is the “Shakey Ground” you are looking for! Whoa. 🙂
Due to your commentary, I’ve been enlightened to this songs history! I would never had known… thank you Kev once again! \m/\m/
November 8, 2012 at 10:48 am
Here’s Phoebes version, bought it in 77, when i was in my Aerosmith ‘Last child’ phase – similar riffage!
November 8, 2012 at 11:07 am
OMG Kev… I can hear that “Last Child” (similar) riffage like you stated man! Great stuff.
I’ll tell you, this old school Funk can turn a drag day into a swirl of hot-damn fun vibes! Thanks Kev! 🙂 \m/
November 8, 2012 at 5:46 am
I had planned to buy the album anyway since I am a huge Aerosmith fan, I admit I am disappointed that it was not a retro style metal/hard rock album 70’s style, but I suppose when you have a good thing going, you have to play it safe.
November 8, 2012 at 10:50 am
I understand your point, Manny. If it wasn’t for the duet and ballad mentality, this album would be near perfect as a Rockin’ grand creation from these guys!
November 8, 2012 at 8:30 am
I saw Aerosmith at the Tokyo Dome some years ago. They put on a great show! And, though they’re getting old, the guys in Aerosmith are all still cool!
November 8, 2012 at 10:59 am
Very cool! That Tokyo Dome must have been sold out!
Yes, I cannot disagree with you that these dudes of Aerosmith radiate coolness with their personas, style and look… and their Rock ‘N’ Roll too! Their shelf life really does speak for itself. 🙂
November 11, 2012 at 11:42 pm
I am incredibly curious about this album, because they claim that they wrote the entire thing themselves,. Quite frankly, Aerosmith’s dependency on co-writers has been the single factor that has disappointed me the most over the past fifteen years or more, and I admit that I’ve been down as hell on them lately. Giving the album a fair shake seems like it would be the fair thing for me to do….
November 12, 2012 at 1:02 pm
With the exceptions of the cover song “Shakey Ground” and “We All Fall Down”, this Aerosmith album has quite the writing input from the band… especially from Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Everyone did get into the act!
IMO, they (probably) could have made this album totally “Poppy” yet they didn’t. To me, there is that fine line between “mainstream” and “poppy”… LOL! It’s a very fine album of songs… even if I don’t (personally) care for the ballads, (I cannot be 100% bias), the ballads are very good and should please the fans who like them.
I’ll be interested in reading what you have to say about this Aerosmith album…
Rock Steady \m/\m/