"Look Back" 1976: Aerosmith's "Rocks"

The year was 1976.....

.....and what an incredible year for music! The year that saw KISS have their footprints added to the sidewalk outside Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, top Grammy honors were Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" (Album of the Year), Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" wins Record of the Year, and Judy Collins' version of "Send in the Clowns" wins Song of the Year...Queen played the biggest show in Europe that year at Hyde Park (200,000 people) while Yes and Peter Frampton played to 130,000 in Philly....chart topping songs like "Tonight's the Night" (Rod Stewart), "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (Elton John & Kiki Dee), "Silly Love Songs" (Paul McCartney), "Disco Lady" (Johnnie Taylor), "December, 1963" (Four Seasons), and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (Paul Simon) ruled the charts, as well as one hit wonders like the incredible Starlight Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight"....the year we lost legends like blues legend Howlin' Wolf, jazz giant Vince Guaraldi, songwriting great Johnny Mercer, classical composer & theorist Walter Piston, guitar icons Freddie King and Tommy Bolin, and future legends were born like Melanie C (real name Melanie Chisholm), country singer Blake Shelton, rapper Ja Rule, vocalist Chester Bennington (Linkin Park),and singer Brandon Boyd (Incubus). We saw the birth of bands like U2, Foreigner, The Cure, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and The Clash, and the death of bands Deep Purple, Ike & Tina Turner, The Band, Three Dog Night, and Steppenwolf.....and so much more!

A host of amazing albums were released in 1976 and I hope to have time to write about many, including Boston's debut self-titled release, Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life", TWO albums by The Eagles ("Greatest Hits" as well as "Hotel California"), the legendary "Rocks" by Aerosmith, and of course, "Frampton Comes Alive" by Peter Frampton!

Today, however, we'll look at the groundbreaking album by Aerosmith, "Rocks".

"Rocks" was the fourth album by the band, and a follow up to the massively successful breakthrough album "Toys in the Attic". The pressure was on for them to deliver the goods in a serious way, but rather than go back into The Record Plant in NYC (where "Toys..." had been recorded), they rented a mobile recording truck and put it in their rehearsal space in Boston, dubbed The Wherehouse.

Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), and Joey Kramer (drums) were fresh off the road and ready to meet the challenge.

Many song riffs and ideas had been half written on the road from the previous tour, so they came into the sessions with what would become "Last Child", "Nobody's Fault", "Sick As A Dog", and "Rats in the Cellar". Other songs were started in the rehearsal space, like "Back in the Saddle", written by Perry on 6-string bass.

Once the basic tracks were complete, they went back to The Record Plant to polish things up and complete the vocals.

"Rock" was recorded in just 2 months and released in May of 1976 to immediate success. The album sold platinum out of the gate, which flew in the face of mostly negative reviews (critics loved to hate Aerosmith), and set the band of for their biggest tour to date, with 2 of its 3 singles cracking the Top 10 on the charts.

Since then, "Rocks" has sold over 4 million albums in the US alone, influenced legendary band (from Kurt Cobain of Nirvana to James Hetfield of Metallica to Slash of G-n-R to Motley Crew bassist Nikki Sixx and more), and Rolling Stone Magazine listed it at #176 on their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.

Let's look at each song!

side one:

1) "Back in the Saddle"

Tension building intro blasts right into the main riff, which was written by Joe Perry on a six string bass (tuned exactly as a guitar, but an octave lower).  The song famously features several extra elements, from a whip sound achieved using a mic cable and a cap gun, to galloping horse sounds and yodeling, to a blistering solo by Brad Whitford, and some of the most suggestive Tyler penned lyrics up to that point.

Released as the third single for the album, it peaked at number 38 on the US charts and has become a live set fan favorite.

"....Ridin' into town alone by the light of the moon

I'm lookin' for old Sukie Jones, she crazy horse saloon
Barkeep gimme a drink, that's when she caught my eye
She turned to give me a wink, that'd make a grown man cry...."

2) "Last Child"

 This song features a slow, funky groove composed by Brad Whitford (who also plays the ripping solo on the track), air tight rhythm section, and an amazing vocal performance. The first single released for the album, it peaked at number 21 and has become another concert set constant.

"....Take me back to a south Tallahassee

Down cross the bridge to my sweet sassafras
Can't stand up on my feet in the city
Got to get back to the real nitty-gritty...."

3) "Rats in the Cellar

Another Tyler-Perry duo composition, this one evolved from the old Fleetwood Mac song "Rattlesnake Shake" (when they were more of a blues band than a pop act), which had been a song in their live set from the early days. A  total high speed rocker! Lyrically, its a rather obvious tip of the hat to the title track from their previous album, "Toys in the Attic". Also of note: Searing harmonica solos by Steven Tyler and guitar solos from both Perry and Tyler, trading back and forth like a head cutting duel.

"....Feeling cozy, rats are in the cellar
Cheeks are rosy, skin's turning yellow
Loose and soggy, looking rather lazy
See my body, pushing up a-daisies...."

4) "Combination"

It's often said that this track features Joe Perry and Steven Tyler sharing lead vocal duties, but its worth noting that the two are actually just singing harmonies on every line throughout the entire song, rather than taking turns singing. Quite amazing harmonies too, truth be told!

That aside, its a driving rhythm section and feedback drenched guitars that never let up.

"....In the line of fire, you know what to say

They gave us no choices, just one shade of gray
My legs keep moving, don't seem to stray
But I know each step we take, they're one step away...."

side two:

1) Sick As a Dog

Side two kicks off with a gorgeous intro blasting into a rocking mid tempo groove. This track reunites Tyler and Hamilton as a songwriting duo - their first since the classic "Sweet Emotion" from the previous album helped propel the band to super stardom.

Fabulous vocal harmonies, twin rhythm guitars, signature drum beat, thunderous bass, and an outstanding guitar solo to seal the deal!

"....Please, I just got to talk to you 

Please, well keep your head out of the loo
Please, we're a long, long way from home
Please, you'd turn a young man's face to stone...."

2) Nobody's Fault

Slow and mysterious volume knob guitar swells serve as an introduction, followed by a dark and heavy rocker that crashes through the doors. This track takes no prisoners! Cited by many to be the heaviest song in their catalogue (and Whitford's favorite), it features some of Tyler's darkest lyrics, huge production, and a chaotic guitar solo riding through the fade out.

"....Lord I must be dreaming - What else could this be
Everybody's screaming - Running for the sea
Holy lands are sinking - Birds take to the sky
The prophets are all stinking drunk - I know the reason why...."

3) Get the Lead Out

The boys lighten things up with this bluesy, upbeat rocker featuring cool riffs, bluesy dissonant chords, casual key changes, and a fun loaded vocal delivery with just a hint of danger. Tyler rips into another harmonica solo followed by more ripping guitar work from Perry and Whitford.

"....Do you like good boogie?

Like a real boogie-woogie?
Hear the juke box singing
A-get the dance hall swinging...."

4) "Lick and a Promise"

The final fast paced rocker on the record (written by Perry and Tyler), the lyrics tell a story of a guy named Johnny, who becomes a rock star and delves into the rock star lifestyle. Solid drum and bass hold down the fort while the guitars and voice definitely lead the show!

"....Johnny come lately on a Saturday night

Singin' how de do
Backstreet a boogie in the house of delight
Where they steal the show...."

5) "Home Tonight"

While the band plays along on this ballad, it's often performed by just Tyler and his piano & voice in concert. That said, the recording features not only Tyler's beautiful piano, but two mean guitar solos by Perry (one on his regular 6 string electric, the other on a lap steel) and thick & lush vocal harmonies.

"....Now it's time to say goodnight to you

Now it's time to bid you sweet adieu
Maybe drink a cheers to yesterday
And maybe you'll drink those tears away
So baby, don't let go, hold on real tight
'Cause I'll be home tonight
Tonight...."

Amazing album and definitely on my list of "100 albums to hear before you die"!

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