SirAlex's Full Review: Get a Grip [Remaster] by Aerosmith
(Edited 5-30-00)
This album opens up with a cool little rap intro that leaves the listener wondering just what is in store. Once again, Aerosmith uses whatever means necessary to achieve a unique sound with each album. After a four year stint between albums, Aerosmith returned in 1993 with Get a Grip. The album took the country by storm, producing multiple hit singles. This album is most famous for its string of hit ballads. But if you look past those songs, you’ll find that this album is actually quite good.
This album features the hit singles (also included on Big Ones the band's second greatest hits release) "Eat the Rich", "Livin' On the Edge", "Cryin'", "Crazy" and "Amazing". "Eat the Rich" starts off with some Polynesian log drums that lead to some cranked up barre chords on the guitars of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. Although the guitar solo on this song is weak, I really enjoy this rocking tune. "Livin' On the Edge" is one of the band's most popular songs. Unless you live under a rock, I'm sure you've heard this song. If not, trust me when I say it is one of the essential rock songs of the decade. I have read this song described as a better Beatles song than the Beatles ever wrote. It does remind me of John Lennon’s “Instant Karma”.
"Cryin'", "Crazy", and "Amazing" are three ballads that were all enormously successful as singles. With its 12/8 time signature and incredible chorus, “Cryin’” was destined to be a high school dance mainstay. It has some pretty good chord work and incredible lyrics. “Crazy” is one of the weaker Aerosmith ballads. I just have a hard time liking this song. The country tempo was done much better on Pump’s “What it Takes”. Although the lyrics are good, the chorus is very repetitive and annoying. Steven Tyler recounts his days as a drug addict on “Amazing”. This song relies more on keyboards than guitar, although it closes out with one of the best Joe Perry guitar solos of all time.
“It’s amazing
when the blink of an eye you finally see the light
It’s amazing
When the moment arrives that you know you’ll be all right
It’s amazing
And I’m saying a prayer for the desperate hearts tonight”
The remaining, though less famous, songs on the album are really quite good for the most part. The title track is a great song. The way Steven Tyler's scatting vocals flow over the backbeat prove that he is rock's most dynamic frontman. It has an awesome beat and is just a lot of fun to listen to. Another of the best songs follows this on the album, “Fever”. "Fever" is such a great song, that even Garth Brooks took notice. He did a version of the song, which is also available on his live album.
"Flesh" is also a cool song, featuring Tyler's usual lyrics about the qualities of women that he admires most. Tyler’s squealing vocals on the chorus take some getting used to, but overall it has that usual Aerosmith quality to it. I really like "Gotta Love It" because of its backwards guitar, funky beat, and bass solo (an Aerosmith first). It reminds me of the band’s experimental faze of the late 70s when they were willing to try anything to get a cool song. The two minute instrumental "Boogie Man" which closes out the album is a sparse, yet beautiful melody.
“Shut Up and Dance” is worthy of special mention because it was played by the band in the movie Wayne’s World 2. It has some great guitar work throughout and has become one of my Aerosmith favorites. It was co-written with Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw who were formerly with Damn Yankees. Another famous musician collaborated with the band on “Line Up”. However, Lenny Kravitz’s style does not mesh well with Aerosmith as this is the worst song on the record.
Overall, I think this album has too many ballads. But, there are a number of great rocking tunes alternating with the slow songs to make Get a Grip a stronger album than most people think it is. Everyone that trashes this album seems fixated on the band playing softer material and I don’t think they really gave it a chance. My biggest complaint is the overall weakness of the guitar solos on this album. In any case, I think most people would enjoy this album, especially the fans of their newer sound. Check it out, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Song Selection:
1. Intro
2. Eat the Rich
3. Get a Grip
4. Fever
5. Livin' on the Edge
6. Flesh
7. Walk on Down
8. Shut Up and Dance
9. Cryin'
10. Gotta Love It
11. Crazy
12. Line Up
13. Amazing
14. Boogie Man
Top Picks: Get a Grip, Fever, Livin’ on the Edge, Shut Up and Dance, Gotta Love It
Songs to Skip: Line Up, Crazy
Band Members:
Steven Tyler: vocals, keyboards, harmonica, mandolin, percussion
Joe Perry: guitar, dulcimer, vocals
Brad Whitford: guitars
Tom Hamilton: bass
Joey Kramer: drums
Additional Musicians:
John Webster: keyboards and programming
Richie Supa: keyboards on “Amazing”
Don Henley: background vocals on “Amazing”
Desmond Child: keyboards on “Crazy”
Lenny Kravitz: background vocals on “Line Up”
The Margarita Horns: Tom Keenlyside, Bob Rogers, Ian Putz, Paul Baron, Bruce Fairbairn
Polynesian Log Drums: Mapuhi T. Tekurio, Melvin Liufau, Wesey Mamea, Liainaiala Tagaloa, Sandy Kanaeholo, Aladd Alatine Teofilo, Jr.
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