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Aerosmith’s Toys in the Attic turns 50

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In the 1960s, there were numerous exceptional American rock bands, however, an excessive number of them hailed from California, which resulted in a somewhat limited range of styles. Southern California singer-songwriters and San Francisco Bay Area psychedelia significantly impacted American rock music by the end of the decade. Yet, one might wonder where the traditional blues-inspired guitar bands were that could match the likes of The Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin.

To start off, Aerosmith formed in Boston back in 1970. Since then, the band consisting of vocalist Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton, and drummer Joey Kramer has undergone only slight modifications. For the past five decades, they have stayed together, putting out 15 studio albums and a multitude of successful rock & roll tunes.

They significantly shaped and contributed to the development of a distinctly American blend of R&B rock, leaving an indelible mark on this genre. Additionally, they played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation for rock-hip hop fusion, earning them recognition as one of the most impactful and iconic rock and roll acts America has ever produced.

Aerosmith’s Toys in the Attic turns 50 in April

It all really began with their third album, Toys in the Attic, which turns 50 in April.

Initially, their first two releases – a self-titled debut in 1973 (often referred to as their “first album”) and Get Your Wings in 1974 – foreshadowed their future music style. They demonstrated their ability to create powerful ballads, such as their first hit “Dream On,” and also excelled at classic, gritty rock & roll tunes like “Same Old Song and Dance.” All of these elements were masterfully combined in Toys in the Attic.

Jack Douglas, renowned for engineering albums of rock legends such as John Lennon and The Who, was embarking on a career as a producer. His work with Aerosmith on the album “Get Your Wings” was complete, and as they prepared for its successor, both the band and the producer were eager to elevate their performance.

The occurrence with Toys wasn’t magical; instead, Aerosmith significantly improved as a band due to their extensive touring. Perry and Whitford were developing a more potent dual-guitar performance. Tyler was perfecting his stage presence and expanding as a songwriter. Meanwhile, Douglas was mastering the art of recording it all.

They start off strongly with the main theme and never slow down. After that, they offer the bluesy bass riff of “Uncle Salty,” created by Tom Hamilton. The final song in this initial set is “Adam’s Apple,” a composition by Tyler that delves deeply into his sexually charged metaphors.

As a dedicated Aerosmith fan, I can’t help but reminisce about one of their defining tracks – “Walk This Way.” Joe Perry crafted the infectious funky riff that forms its backbone, while Steven Tyler delivered his rapid-fire lyrics about teenagers and intimacy. Initially, it didn’t immediately strike a chord, but eventually, it became one of their top-selling singles. A whole decade later, this song would leave an indelible mark on the evolution of popular music.

As a gamer, I found myself closing side one of that classic album with a lively rendition of the ’50s jump blues tune “Big Ten Inch Record” by the boys. The track has a vintage vibe, filled with soulful horns, jazzy piano melodies, and some energetic guitar riffs that made me feel like I’ve stepped back in time.

Perry took out his “talkbox” for the opening song, “Sweet Emotion”, which was on side two. Tom Hamilton modified an earlier bass riff that significantly boosted the track into the top 40 charts at a time when disco was rapidly gaining popularity. The rest of side two showcased a diverse range of tracks – from songs similar to pre-Boston tunes like “No More No More” to Aerosmith’s most Zeppelin-esque effort, “Round and Round”.

Additionally, the performance ended with the moving “You See Me Crying”, featuring a grand orchestra. This final number paved the way for the heart-wrenching power ballads that catapulted Aerosmith to worldwide fame in the 1990s.

Initially, due to fatigue and drug problems, they took a tumble. A full ten years after “Toys in the Attic”, it appeared that Aerosmith was on the brink of fading away. However, a well-known hip hop group chose “Walk This Way” as a foundation for their attempt at breaking genre barriers. The revamped version of the classic tune catapulted Run-DMC to great heights while simultaneously reviving one of the earliest and most influential American rock bands.

Amongst fans, there’s debate as to whether “Toys” is Aerosmith’s best album. Some argue for the infectious appeal of “Rocks,” released in 1976. On the other hand, “Pump” often tops some lists. While “Toys in the Attic” consistently lands on shortlists, it may not always take the top spot. However, when considering the most significant album in Aerosmith’s extensive discography, many would agree that “Toys” takes the number one position.

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2025-04-02 16:00

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