Melodic rock CD of the week - Aerosmith

By Stephen Kasenda

AEROSMITH “Get A Grip” (1993)

"Get A Grip" is the last gripping album of the 90s that I like by Aerosmith. The band takes you on a long and winding crazy ride – you’ll think you're in a wonderland and ain't comin' back. Apart from the sensational romancing trilogy, "Crazy", "Cryin", and "Amazing", this record has so much more to offer. There is a 50s rockabilly approach to "Fever", a raging and punky tune in "Walk On Down" (which feels like they're messin' with a GNR track), the high-rockin' ground shaker "Eat The Rich", and the longest-yet-best track of the album, "Livin' On The Edge".

You can't compare this to Rocks or Toys, this is a different era of Aerosmith. But considering that the record came out in 1993 - tough days for rock and roll – the band still managed to stay on the right road and the record even nailed the Grammy and sold over 20 million copies worldwide. "Get A Grip" is a likable album to many with a great span of commercial tracks - probably hated by classic fans, but also could be their guilty pleasure they won't admit.
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Odds and Ends

Each week I use this space to post some mini-reviews, cool tracks, random thoughts, neat news, or whatever else I damn well please.

MiniReview


Fallon Cush “Fallon Cush” – Fallon Cush is otherwise known as Steve Smith, a singer/songwriter from Australia. He and his band breeze through the 11 tracks on their eponymous debut, delivering an array of generally mellow and bright acoustic folk rock with 80s overtones. Most of the tracks don’t quite have a sharp enough hook to maintain my attention, but every once in awhile there is a needle in the haystack. For example, the upbeat drums, jamming organ, and fiery guitar solo make “Where You Been” stand out like a sore thumb among the other tracks – and that is a good thing in this case. “Where You Been” is easily my favorite track – I wish there were more songs like it. “The Great Divide” is another winner, boasting shimmering guitar tones, a memorable chorus, and effective backing vocals. “Dog Day Afternoon” and the pleasant “Over Me” are also worth a spin. Recommended if you enjoy Neil Nathan, David Mead, or Grapes of Wrath. Learn more about Fallon Cush here.

Surprise of the week
And the new lead singer for INXS is…(click here)

News
Cast is back! The legendary underground indie pop group fronted by singer John Power will return with their fifth album of new material, on the heels of the 15th anniversary of their debut. More info here.

Golden Bloom has released a new music video for "Rhyme the Reason". The song is available on Golden Bloom's latest EP, "March to the Drums".

Golden Bloom "Rhyme The Reason" from Alicia J. Rose on Vimeo.

Hope you got to see R.E.M. live while you had the chance – looks like there will be no reunion tour. Read the story.

At least there will be a new R.E.M. retrospective arriving November 15 called “Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982 – 2011” which will contain three new songs: "A Month of Saturdays," "We All Go Back To Where We Belong," and "Hallelujah". More info here.

Tony Bennett beats a record held previously by Bob Dylan.

New Aerosmith as early as March 2012? This would be the long-awaited follow up to 2004’s “Honkin’ On Bobo”. Details here.

New Daughtry coming November 21st – “Break The Spell” will be his third album. More here.

Random iPOD song of the week
“It’s A Sin” by the Pet Shop Boys


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Odds and Ends

Each week I use this space to post some mini-reviews, cool tracks, random thoughts, neat news, or whatever else I damn well please.



MiniReview
Xorigin “State Of The Art” – Frontiers Records has done a superb job this year keeping the flame of the melodic rock genre alive and well. They’ve put out terrific contemporary AOR records from Toby Hitchcock, Work Of Art, Airrace, and more, and now we have Xorigin to add to that fine collection. Xorigin is influenced by Giant, Toto, Foreigner, and Yes, and features AOR veterans Johannes Stole (vocals, keyboards) and Daniel Palmqvist (guitars, The Murder of My Sweet). Standout tracks include the fighting anthem “Can’t Keep Running”, “Crying For You”, and the harmonious mid-tempo rocker “The One For Me”. “In The Blink Of An Eye” is a grand power ballad in the REO Speedwagon tradition. Very little filler on this one, so be sure to check it out if you miss the 80s melodic rock heyday. More info on the band can be found here.



Surprise of the week
Lou Reed made the guys in Metallica cry. Here’s why.

News


Cruise on over to the web site for The Tonighters and grab three of their EPs for FREE! Masterminded by UK musician Billy Gilbert, the Tonighters incorporates elements from his extensive background in diverse musical areas ranging from power pop to punk. Awesomely catchy pop rock here, with some of my favorites including “Sad Forever” and “Down To One” from “Closet Classics Volume I”, “How Am I Supposed To Let You Go?” from “Closet Classics Volume 2”, and “Finish What You Started” from “Trivia Melodies”. With a total of 10 tracks, you are bound to find something you’ll love.
Get the free downloads here (if all used up, wait until Sept 7).
And be sure to “Like” them here.

Both amazing Jellyfish albums are being re-issued on vinyl only – details here.

New CD of Aerosmith rarities coming soon! Track list can be found here.

Producer Jack Douglas says that the new Aerosmith is due May 2012 and will be “nasty and raw” – kind of like those chicken fingers I ordered at Pizzeria Uno. Read about it here.

Next to jump on the covers album bandwagon: Scott Weiland. Details here.

The new Chickenfoot video, for lead single “Bigfoot”


What are the guys from the Replacements doing now? Well, Tommy Stinson just released a new solo record and Paul Westerberg contributed to the latest record by Glen Campbell. Details here.

Random iPOD song of the week
Sinead O’Connor does a brilliantly endearing rendition of this wonderful song originally performed by Elton John. This track appeared on the 1991 Elton John Tribute album, “Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin”

News: Aerosmith back in the saddle

Aerosmith Hitting The Studio In November

Aerosmith plans to hit the studio on Nov. 1 to begin recording its next album..."I'm not sure who the producer is gonna be or what (studio) we're gonna do it in," Perry tells Billboard.com. "We may use a few different producers. I don't know. All I know is that the heart and soul of the thing is us getting in the studio and seeing what comes out."

Story.