I haven’t added anything new to my Aerosmith collection in a long time. The last post was over 19 months ago, but thankfully that bleak emptiness of a streak has come to an end. While I was out looking for music, I found this E.P. from Aerosmith that I did not have in the collection. It is the E.P. ‘Made in America’ which was released by the label on March 18, 1997. Which is the same day as the release of their album ‘Nine Lives’. This E.P. was exclusive to Wal-Marts across the U.S. and Canada and was purposely released to coincide with the new album.

The E.P. contains 6 tracks, 5 of which are basically studio album tracks. The song on here to get is the final track which is “One Way Street” (Live) as it hasn’t ever been released any where else. At least I don’t think it has. So, let us walk our way through the tracks and see what we have.

The album kicks off with the song that kicks off the album ‘Rocks’ and that song is “Back in the Saddle”. The song has a slow build with the drums and guitar and includes a wicked bass line from Mr. Hamilton and then explodes into a heavy rocker. The song includes a whip sound and some clanking spurs that were fastened to Tyler’s boots with the help of New York Dolls frontman David Johansen. If you were expecting the Gene Autry song, “Back in the Saddle Again” you’d be disappointed, but otherwise you love this song that kicks start the album and includes so many double entendres and even a quick yodel. What a way to kick off the album.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GNbVW12E_Sc%3Fsi%3DeKT5vt-2fRdbDpz0

 Then we get the brilliant title track to ‘Toys in the Attic’ simply called “Toys In the Attic”. This one is rich with the guitar riffs of Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton’s bass groove which gets the juices flowing. It is fast-paced, a bluesy and gritty rocker that is almost punk, but so not at the same time. It is a fun-filled pack of goodness and the band just explodes out of the gate. You have to listen to the bass on this album as it is front & center and some of Tom’s best work. Really brilliant!!

The band goes back to a much darker vibe with “Seasons of Wither” from ‘Get Your Wings’ and it opens with a blowing wind and an acoustic guitar and both sound so ominous and eerie. Not only does Tyler take on the vocals, he also handles the acoustic guitar duties and equally impressive is the bass groove set by Tom Hamilton who doesn’t get enough credit. I love the pacing and deliver of every note and Tyler might be giving his finest performance on the whole album. And Whitford’s solo is something to talk about as well as that last note goes on forever adding to the dark tone of the song. “Toys” was a really brilliant track, this one is a totally brilliant track!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=PgIsxxq4EBg%3Fsi%3D_GM7hmMoTuENy_XA

Then we get what might be their most popular song ever with “Walk This Way” which is another track from ‘Toys in the Attic’. The opening drum beat is so recognizable on its own, but when you throw in that Perry guitar riff, you are instantly sucked in to a song that takes you on a fantastic journey on a sexcapade adventure (yes, I am making up words for this). I know I keep repeating myself on the bass, but damn, is Hamilton prominent throughout this album and song. All the instruments are so full in the songs that you can’t help but hear each one perfectly. But it is the guitar work of Perry that is the key to this track. Well, that and maybe Tyler’s frantically paced lyrics and his deliver struts through verse after verse and explodes on the chorus to give us one of the coolest songs ever from the band. Now, it would go on to even bigger and bigger strides in the future.

With the next song, we finally get the studio version of the Richard Supa penned song “Chip Away the Stone” which is found now on ‘Gems’. The only other versions previously were the live version on ‘Live! Bootleg’ and I believe a 7″ Vinyl Single. It is a sleazy little track with a wicked groove full of piss and vigor. The live version wasn’t my favorite on the album, but the studio version is pretty killer as I love that bluesy guitar and the honky tonk style piano.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ICeWOF50grM%3Fsi%3DIJ-wBsum_iTRq66G

The final track is a live recording of “One Way Street” from the opening night of The Mama Kin Music Hall on Lansdown Street in Boston. The show was broadcast on the radio on December 19, 1994 but to this day, the whole show has not been released. Maybe some day. The song itself is from the debut ‘Aerosmith’ album and is a real bluesy honky-tonk track with lots of Steven jamming on the harmonica take from the Rolling Stones’ “Midnight Rambler”. The boys get dirty with this one and have lots of fun!! The studio version has a lot of piano, but this is mostly guitar and harmonica driven. It sounds pretty damn awesome.

And that is all we have on this one. Six songs that are great, but five of which you already have. The prize on this one is “One Way Street (Live)” as that isn’t anywhere else officially by the band and it is worth every penny you spend on this. I like it when bands do little exclusive releases as long as we get something new on it. This is saved by the final song, but only by a little. Still, a must have to complete the collection.

THE AEROSMITH COLLECTION SERIES:

1. ‘Aerosmith’ (1973)
2. ‘Get Your Wings’ (1974)
3. ‘Toys in the Attic’ (1975)
4. ‘Rocks’ (1976)
5. ‘Draw the Line’ (1977)
6. ‘Live! Bootleg’ (1978)
7. ‘Night in the Ruts’ (1979)
8. ‘Greatest Hits’ (1980)
9. ‘Rock in a Hard Place’ (1982)
10. ‘Done With Mirrors’ (1985)
11. Run DMC – “Walk This Way” 12″ Single (1986)
12. ‘Classics Live!’ (1986)
13. ‘Classics Live! II’ (1987)
14. ‘Permanent Vacation’ (1987)
15. “Dude (Looks Like A Lady)” (1987) – 7″ Single & 12″ Maxi-Single (Bonus Edition)
16. “Angel” (1988) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
17. “Rag Doll” (1988) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
18. ‘Gems’ (1988)
19. ‘Pump’ (1989)
20. ‘Pandora’s Box’ (1991)
21. ‘Get a Grip’ (1993)
22. ‘Nine Lives’ (1997)
23. ‘Made in America’ (1997)
24. ‘A Little South of Sanity’ (1998)
25. ‘Just Push Play’ (2001)
26. ‘Honkin on Bobo’ (2004)
27. ‘Rockin’ The Joint (2005)
28. ‘Music From Another Dimension’ (2012)
29. ‘1971: The Road Starts Hear’ (2021)
30. The Albums Ranked Worst To First