Aerosmith – Aerosmith

Review

Aerosmith's self-titled debut album dropped on January 5, 1973, marking a big splash in the world of rock and an epic chapter for the band itself. They laid down this killer album at Intermedia Studios up in Boston back in October 1972. The record introduces us to that raw, in-your-face sound that's pure Aerosmith. Steven Tyler's electrifying vocals teamed with Joe Perry and Brad Whitford slinging on guitar, all rounded out by Tom Hamilton on bass and Joey Kramer's drumming make for one gnarly band synergy. It might've taken a hot minute to catch fire on the mainstream radar, but it set the pavement for what these rockers would go on to accomplish.

Kicking things off in high gear, "Make It" roars outta the gates and sets things up perfectly. You got "Somebody" amping up the energy before diving into the timeless "Dream On," which later became a mega-hit when it was re-released in '75. The album keeps its badass momentum going with tracks like "One Way Street," "Mama Kin," and "Write Me a Letter" before wrapping with jazzed-up blues in the form of Rufus Thomas's "Walkin' the Dog," highlighting the band’s smooth move merging rock and blues vibes. All said and done, this debut is a classic, showcasing their hungry energy and hinting at the rock legends they were destined to be. - Derek