|
THE ARCHIVES
|
Morrigan's Pit has closed down as of November 2006. The site and its articles will stay online as an archive until September at least, but probably longer.
The Archives
2002-2006
» CD REVIEWS
» INTERVIEWS
» LIVE REVIEWS
» SPECIALS
|
|
|
|
|
AEROSMITH
|
Honkin' On Bobo
2004
Inside Out
http://www.aerosmith.com
|
1. Road Runner
2. Shame, Shame, Shame
3. Eyesight To The Blind
4. Baby, Please Don't Go
5. Never Loved A Girl
6. Back Back Train
7. You Gotta Move
8. The Grind
9. I'm Ready
10. Temperature
11. Stop Messin' Around
12. Jesus Is On The Main Line
|
Aerosmith has well and truly captured the spirit of the music which inspired them to pick up their instruments in the first place. They have returned to where it all began, for them and for the very culture of rock 'n' roll as a whole.
This disc sounds so "alive", that it is hard to believe it features 11 blues covers and only one new original tune. Blues was where it started and "Honkin' On Bobo" is a collection of classic blues covers and one Aerosmith original – also in this particular classic blues rock style.
But songs like "Baby Please Don't Go" and "Shame, Shame, Shame" sound like Aerosmith standards.
This is the most laid back and relaxed Aerosmith I have heard for a long time. The guys teamed up with producer Jack Douglas who guided them through their most acclaimed period – the last 70's, which was also their most toxic.
On this album you can hear the band having some fun and revisiting old influences.
In my opinion it is a hazard, since the last couple of albums have suffered from falling sales, since Aerosmith fans are everything but flexible in their ear cuisine.
Realistically "Honkin' On Bobo" is unlikely to chance the circumstance – for as good as it is – not everyone is going to want to hear such a pure blues rock album and reactions will be mixed depending on what period the fan became a fan. Those that have a far deeper appreciation for the band, or have followed them since their very origins in the 70's will have a greater love for this record and will embrace its style with far more ease.
Joey Krammer and Tom Hamilton put down a hell of a rhythm bed! Playing night after night, day after day, for years at a time has created a percussive force like no other in music today. Take a listen to "You Gotta Move", and then skip over to "I'm Ready".
I've played it a couple of times and find it a lively collection of smokin' blues tunes that really suits the style and the attitude of the band. Usually I am not that kind of a blues chick. But I also enjoyed the vibe of the production and the band's performance – it's clear to anyone listening to this that the band are having a blast and feel right at home.
But once this review has been completed I can't see myself listening to this album again – a seemingly confusing statement given the quality of the album.
But no matter how good this album is, I prefer the Aerosmith I personally came to know and love since their resurgence in the mid-80s.
Nerveless Steven Tyler's vocal gymnastics and phrasing are almost unheard nowadays.
Couple this performance with the fact that Tyler sings the song in the same key that his female diva counterpart used almost thirty odd years ago, and one has to be impressed.
I believe the band have recorded this album for themselves first and foremost, and their oldest and dearest fans secondly.
No shame to listen to this qualitative great album and decide for yourself if you can discover blues as a different shade of rock.
submitted by Nadja 29.04.2005
|
|
|
|
rating 1 - 5 Morrigans
5 = awesome, 4 = good, 3 = average, 2 = keep practising, 1 = sell your gear!
|
|
|
|
|
