If there’s any band that needs little to no introduction, it’s Aerosmith. These iconic rock Gods have swept the 70’s, 80’s, and even 90’s with heart-wrenching ballads, hair-singeing guitar solos, and head-banging choruses. And for the love of God, there are very few frontmen that compare to Steven Tyler. Everything about that man is borderline feral, from his wild outfits, to his crazy hair, to the spine-tingling, animalistic, melodic voice. Tyler has captivated the country for decades, and with the rest of the band in tow, Aerosmith has continued to deliver to their audiences with each new single and album.
On Tuesday, Aerosmith released their first original album in 11 years, Music From Another Dimension! While the 18-track release isn’t exactly extra-terrestrial, it certainly delves into a more pop-centered dimension for the beloved rock outfit. Music From Another Dimension! is a journey that should be experienced in full grandeur, start to finish. However, for those who like to skip around, here are three tracks to check out first.
“What Could Have Been Love” is a heavy-handed rock ballad in the vein of “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” Tyler doesn’t miss a beat, his gravely voice reaching to grandiose heights with the same bone-chilling power as in his younger days.
Another impressive ballad is the country-brushed collaboration with Carrie Underwood “Can’t Stop Loving You.” Underwood adds her superior musical clout to the duet, holding her own next to Tyler with her impressive vocal range.
“LUV XXX” is the opening track on the album, beginning with a foreboding spoken word vocal. The mysterious voice effectively sets the tone for the epic nature of the album, particularly when he says “You are about to enter a great adventure, and experience the awe and mystery from your ultimate fantasies to your deepest fears.” The song then transcends into grunge-laced guitars, as Tyler sneers with his filtered vocals.