JOE PERRY
With all of the solo work and side projects that AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler has done over the years, I've always wondered when Joe Perry was going to break out into solo territory. Yes, I know he's done solo work in the past, and that he re-worked the
Spider-Man theme, and that he also has his own hot sauce. I'm just saying that it's been a while since there has been a bonafide
Joe Perry Solo Disc. Now there is, and it's great.
I should preface this review by saying that I'm not a die-hard Aerosmith fan; I dig the band, I just don't obsess over them as much as some people do. With that said, I know decent rock songs when I hear them, and this disc is loaded with them. "Shakin' My Cage" was an excellent choice to lead off this disc. This song and others like "Can't Compare", "Lonely" and "Push Comes To Shove" are the kind of songs you wish Aerosmith was still releasing (the closest they've come is their
Honkin' On Bobo disc). To be fair, it's not like their current music is a huge departure from what Perry is doing on this disc... it's just that the pop music concern isn't there on
Joe Perry. Fierce guitar work and and a hooky chorus make you realize instantly why Joe Perry is one of rock's living legends. Not bad for a bunch of songs recorded in the guy's house, eh?
Now, since my copy is an advance copy, I'm not going to get to experience the whole 'Dualdisc' format that the real-deal will be released with on May 3rd. Shit, this one I have comes with its own little player; I have no idea how I'm going to burn this sucker... juuuust kidding!!!
"Hold on Me" is another solid rock tune with a riff that should be on an Aerosmith disc. Perry's vocal range isn't quite the beast that Tyler's is, so each song falls a little short when Perry cracks the mic...and that's why he's not the singer in Aerosmith, I guess.
What is it about these classic rockers who feel the need to toss east-Indian musical influences into their songs? "Pray for Me" is another example of ecclectic instrumentation screwing up a decent song...but that's just my bullheaded take.
The one department Perry needs help is the ballad/slower songs. Oof...where's Diane Warren when you need her? Ok, so maybe we don't need another
Armageddon theme, but still...when "Crystal Ship" kicks in, I'm looking for a lava lamp and a DOORS record to pick through to find out which one Joe's lifting lyrics from...oof.
I think Joe Perry got a great opportunity to flex his creative muscles on
Joe Perry, but I still can't wait to hear what he does when the rest of his Boston cronies get back with him to crank out another Aerosmith disc.
