Toys In The Attic Middletown NY

Toys In The Attic

Aerosmith

Columbia Records, 1975

REVIEW BY: Bill Ziemer

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 01/28/1997

Aerosmith's third release, Toys In The Attic, was the album that vaulted the band intothe mainstream, and made them a staple of U.S. rock radio. Beforethis album hit the shelves, their first two albums didn't receivemuch attention.

The instant this one begins spilling out the speakers of yourstereo system, a few things will begin to happen. Your eyebrowswill raise, the hairs on the top of your head will stand on end,and your eyes will glow wildly. These effects will be followed by afeeling of euphoria, uncontrolable drooling, and screaming. Forthis a rock album at it's best. It's pure, straight-forward,churning, yet intricate enough to allow hundreds of listens.

Toys In The Attic contains two of the band's most notable(and overplayed) songs, "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion". Afterthese songs became huge successes, earlier recordings like "DreamOn" from the first album, and "Same Old Song And Dance" from Get Your Wings became mega hits as well. "Sweet Emotion" and"Walk This Way" are still very popular, and still receive quite abit of airplay in the U.S. Because of this, it's easy to overlookthe other gems that this album contains.

The title track is a fast paced rocker with a surreal touch. Onthis track, Aerosmith pioneers recording techniques that became afeature of their next album, Rocks. "Uncle Salty" is a tricky little track that continuesto fool me, even today. Just when you think the song is going tobreak loose, it follows another road and another unusual turn. Theresult is addictive, with the result being many repeats of the sametrack. "No More, No More" may be their most unnoticed song. It's agreat rocker in the purest sense, with Rolling Stones-like chordchanges at the leadout of the song that leaves you wishing the songwould continue.