After a long period of time with the Finn brothers of Split Enz and Crowded House, I needed something different, and nothing seemed more contrast to zany and quirkiness to the vocals of Steven Tyler. Diving headlong into the band's first 1980's entry, I was blasted in the face with Tyler screaming and howling, which as odd as it may seem, was a refreshing change of pace.
Rock In A Hard Place has a favorable variances going for it in 2024 as I listen to it, that it most likely didn't have in 1982 when it was first released. For starters, in retrospect, it doesn't come with all the drama and burnout that Aerosmith were experiencing in the early 80's. This isn't Aerosmith struggling for relevancy. Rather, it's just "new" material to my ears from a band that's already established themselves as the classic rockers they are.
Further, I'm not impacted by the absence of guitarist Brad Whitford, and lead guitarist Joe Perry, who had both left the band at this point (Whitford in 1981, and Perry in 1979), and were replaced by Rick Dufay and Jimmy Crespo, respectively.
Steven Tyler, who was struggling with increased substance abuses, along with other band members who had their own vices, toiled with completing the album for two years. In a 2008 interview, Dufay would tell the story of how Tyler was really in a bad place. Along with producer Jack Douglas isolated him, and nursed him back to health, breaking him of his addictions over three months
When Rock In A Hard Place was released, critics weren't kind. They called the band irrelevant, past their prime, and in comparison to the groups 70's material, stated the magical chemistry was gone. In short, Aerosmith was checked off the list, and labeled as done.
Was this a fair assessment? Well, I don't think so. Again, I reiterate that my impression of the album isn't tainted by the time of its initial inception. To me, it's just another Aerosmith album in a long running catalog. As I played through it, I heard good material, on par with past and future music which I have also come to know over time.
In fact, it may even be because of its overall lackluster reception and lack of spotlight that it makes it all the more enjoyable for me. I have long since been a bigger fan of the songs Aerosmith hasn't overplayed these past fifty plus years. The hits are great, but the hidden gems are the ones that truly shine, and that's what I get when listening to the album.
With that said, I will also be honest. Hearing it, there is definitely a struggle in Tyler's vocals, which are often off key. Whether this is intentional, or a product of the time, it's both unique and detracting. Despite this, the overall "package" is enjoyable.
Call me crazy, but I actually ended up adding the whole thing to my shuffle list. I dug it, and I dug it a lot. It was both fresh to me, but familiar at the same time, and I think this worked to its advantage. I could easily sit down and play this one again.
At this point, I probably don't need to finish this post off in the same fashion I normally would. I don't really think I need to tell any of you about where Aerosmith went from there, and get into the finite details. There's also not much to say about their remaining 80's albums, as I've covered all their other studio releases from this era already.
I guess we'll just call this one a day.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS May 25, 1985 |
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