AEROSMITH

Most would say Nine Lives, the clever title of the first Aerosmith album in four years, is an understatement -- this band has been through so much trouble it's quite surprising that this album was even released at all. Originally titled Vindaloo and set for a July 1996 release date, the album was pushed back time and time again after the band failed to meet Columbia Records' standards. Kevin Shirley replaced Glen Ballard in the producer's seat, and the band re-recorded every song until the album was as perfect as it could get. Well, frankly, it is. When the title track begins with the sounds of meowing mixed in with Steven Tyler's well-known screams, it is so shocking that the listener might suddenly turn it off. Be warned -- what follows is an album that fills the ears with such good rock they almost bleed. While the album may have more ballads than the average Aero recording, all the tunes are extremely catchy and will be in the listener's head for days to come. When the album was first released in March 1997, many fans heard the first single, "Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)," off the radio or MTV. For those who have heard it, they should know that the rest of the album is quite similar. Instead of the usual hard-rocking music that the band has produced on their last two albums, the album returns to the classic '70s sound Aerosmith remarkably retains, combined with the blues style of their 1987 release, Permanent Vacation. Of course, don't forget the clever lyrics, now an Aerosmith trademark, combined with the great guitar riffs. Quite simply, Nine Lives is the best album Aerosmith released since 1976's Rocks. ~ Barry Weber, AMG

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