Like the Stones, who have clearly had an influence on the group, Aerosmith experiences a revival every decade or so. The group has seen some personnel changes in its 30 years and has also changed record companies from time to time, alternating between Geffen, BMG and Columbia. Although this greatest hits album was brought out by Columbia, it does include some BMG songs and some of the Geffen tracks, a wise move considering the Geffen songs were among their best since making a comeback.
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Disc 1:
1. Mama Kin
2. Dream On
3. Same Old Song and Dance
4. Seasons of Wither
5. Walk This Way
6. Big Ten Inch Record
7. Sweet Emotion
8. Last Child
9. Back in the Saddle
10. Draw the Line
11. Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
12. Angel
13. Rag Doll
14. Janie's Got a Gun
15. Love in an Elevator
16. What it Takes
Disc 2:
1. The Other Side
2. Livin' On the Edge
3. Cryin'
4. Amazing
5. Deuces Are Wild
6. Crazy
7. Falling In Love (Is Hard On the Knees)
8. Pink (The South Beach Mix)
9. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
10. Jaded
11. Just Push Play (Radio Remix)
12. Walk This Way (Performed by Run-DMC)
13. Girls of Summer
14. Lay It Down
Bonus tracks:
15. Come Together
16. Theme From Spider Man
17. Toys In the Attic |
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There have been rumours of an imminent break-up, and this album has certainly added fuel to the speculation. But although there have been a few Aerosmith collections issued over the years, this is the first to compile all of the real hits, and if you are planning to buy an Aerosmith compilation, forget the others and get this one.
O, Yeah! Is a double disc set, with the first disc focusing on the group's earlier years. This makes it the better disc, since the later Aerosmith lost some of that energetic hard edge that made it great in the first place.
Even long-time Aerosmith fans should be happy with the album, as many of the older songs have been remixed. The radio remix of “Just Push Play” on disc two, for example, is a vast improvement on the original from last year's album of the same name.
The limited edition has three bonus tracks, including the cover of the Beatles' “Come Together” and the theme from Spider Man, one of the best tracks on the album. The inclusion of “Toys in the Attic” as a bonus track on the limited edition is puzzling, as it was one of the group's best by far, and could easily have replaced one of the two new songs, “Lay It Down” and “Girls of Summer”, which leave a lot to be desired.
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Lead vocalist Steve Tyler |
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No doubt fans will also wonder why songs like “Train Kept a Rollin'” and “No Surprize” were left out, but the inclusion of both versions of “Walk This Way”, one by Run-DMC, is a nice touch.
O, Yeah! is a definite must for anyone who doesn't have all the Aerosmith albums they would have liked to own. It's also a great collection for younger fans who haven't been listening to the group since the 1970s. The best tracks are crammed into the first disc, with the second running out of steam. But many of the greats are there, from the 1973 “Mama Kin” to the 2001 hit, “Jaded”. If you can, get the limited edition. Otherwise the absence of “Toys” will leave you feeling the album is not quite complete.
Overall rating: 2
Ratings guide:
1: I have to have it
2: I'd buy it, but it has its flaws
3: I wouldn't buy it, but I'd keep it if it were given to me
4: I wouldn't buy it, but I won't ask you to switch if off
5: I don't want to hear it
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