Aerosmith’s classic era is truly a gem worth discussing. They were the first band we became fans of at The Rock Review, a legend of Rock in every sense of the word. Even today, they continue to reap the rewards of the seeds they sowed, thanks to their perseverance and a sound that offered much innovation, making them superstars at a very young age.
Today, we’re reviewing their second studio album, ‘Get Your Wings,’ released in 1974 and produced by Bob Ezrin, one of the most prominent producers of the ’70s, known for his work with major bands like Kiss, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, among others.
What can we hear?
It’s a confirmation of Aerosmith’s sound. Unlike many other bands, they managed to establish a unique sound right from their debut album, the self-titled ‘Aerosmith’ from 1973, which catapulted them with the hit ‘Dream On,’ where Steven Tyler played a stellar role with his distinctive, piercing, and emotive voice. His techniques, like the guttural falsetto, were remarkable.
‘Get Your Wings’ is an album that we perceive as dark, except for ‘Woman of the World,’ which acts as a sort of interlude, breaking the dynamics of the rest of the album. It’s a song that slows things down, introducing major chords that radiate a certain joy in its initial minutes. In a way (perhaps coincidentally), we noticed Kiss influences in the guitar riffs. However, we doubt it, as both bands had some conflicts during the ’70s.
In tracks like ‘Same Old Song and Dance’ and ‘Pandora’s Box,’ we find discreet brass arrangements, a recurring element in many of their subsequent works. For instance, in their hit ‘Cryin’ from the 1993 album ‘Get a Grip.’
One of the best guitar duos…
‘Get Your Wings’ showcases one of Aerosmith’s finest guitar moments courtesy of Joe Perry and Brad Withford, two guitarists deeply influenced by the blues. Although Joe took the spotlight and image of the band alongside Steven Tyler, Brad became a discreet but very effective guitarist. In fact, we personally believe that at times, he outshines Perry in soloing abilities.
We hear a great exchange of solos in ‘Train Kept a Rollin” a Yardbirds cover that has become one of Aerosmith’s most frequently played songs live. In the latter part of the track, it speeds up and turns into a bluesy jam where both guitarists improvise in a style reminiscent of Eric Clapton.
Continuing with our praise for this incredible duo, what we appreciate most is that starting from ‘Get Your Wings,’ they began crafting fun to listen to and play riffs, like in ‘S.O.S. (Too Bad),’ which, combined with Steven Tyler’s characteristic voice, Eddie Kramer’s rhythmic drumming, and Tom Hamilton’s bass, made them sound like a band with a lot of groove.
Aerosmith's sound confirmation
We like this album because it’s raw, heavy, and balanced, yet it left behind major hits that would later become tremendous commercial successes, such as ‘Train Kept a Rollin” or ‘Same Old Song And Dance.’ At the same time, it has cult songs that didn’t stand out to the masses, like ‘Lord Of The Things,’ a song with a piano riff different from the band’s usual style, or ‘Spaced,’ a mysterious track with one of Tyler’s best vocal performances.
We’ll gradually be analyzing Aerosmith’s entire discography, but for today, we can say that ‘Get Your Wings’ is a classic that, at the time, was a significant stepping stone for the band to achieve the sound found on albums like ‘Rocks’ or ‘Toys in The Attic.’
What aspects of Aerosmith’s “Get Your Wings” album stand out the most to you? Are there specific tracks or musical elements that resonate with you in particular?” Share your comments!
