As time marches on, fans of the (now) classic rock 'n roll animal have fewer and fewer groups to enjoy in their original, or even mostly original configurations. The years can be pretty unkind to bands: Members quit, members die, and "the magic" can so easily disappear.
Aerosmith has almost lost "the magic" on several occasions. Despite major lineup shuffles, periods of obscurity, and Steven Tyler's personality, Aerosmith has managed to come through "the other side" with the original '70s lineup in tact. And whether you love, hate, or simply tolerate the boys from Boston, they breathe some extremely rare air as a truly classic group that still functions in an unaltered state.
Recent times have seen Steven Tyler's star rise even higher than his role as a
frontman. There was that epic fall from the stage that resulted in serious injury,
appearing in a high-profile advertisement hawking slop for Burger King,
and a stint judging would-be canned pop stars on American Idol.
However, the singer finally returned to the business of fronting the
legendary rock band, though the road back was not a particularly easy
one, especially when considering the in-fighting that resulted following
the previously mentioned mid-show spill, and anger over Tyler's Idol
day gig.
On the reunion and new recording, the
singer told us and other media outlets: "I felt the power of something I never got from anywhere
else, and it was from being in this band. And the shit that we go
through and the stuff that we come up with outweighs any anger."
The band will return with its first album of new material in over 10 years, titled Music From Another Dimension. The
record is slated for release on November 6, with the second leg of a
world tour to follow. The first part of their Global Warming Tour (by most accounts)
has shown the group in great form. The album will be the band's final for
the Sony label, and is expected to be something akin to the Aerosmith
of yore.
"I think it's a real good piece of work that shows we're not
just in a studio looking for hits like we were in the '90s," says Tyler
about the record, which was recorded in a new, hybrid medium named
"CLASP" that combines analog tape recording and the digital
world. This is something Tyler also claims helped in getting the band back in
the creative saddle again. It also features a vocal cameo by Johnny Depp.
The record
features each and every member of the group taking part in the
songwriting process, unlike most of the band's late output, which was
frequently built around songwriting relationships with big name,
professional songwriters like Desmond Child. On the subject, Tyler said
"they say it's best when we write songs. And if you listen close to this
album, everyone's got a chance to say something, and it came out in the
wash again."
Though things look bright
currently for the band, Tyler does have plans for a solo album in the
near future, stating, "I'm definitely going to do a solo record after
this. And we'll see where it all goes." Hopefully, Tyler's solo career
does not derail the band's rejuvenation.
Aerosmith's Global Warming tour with Cheap Trick, 7:30 p.m., December 9 at BB&T Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise. Tickets cost between $45.75 and 145.75 plus fees. Visit livenation.com for tickets.
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