Aerosmith - Pump

Building on the success of the more pop-oriented Permanent Vacation, this 1989 release banished any doubts that Aerosmith's unlikely late-'80s comeback was a fluke of nature--or merely the product of shrewd record company calculations. That Aerosmith could produce a pair of albums to rival Toys in the Attic and Rocks after a decade-and-change of decay and despair seemed all but unnatural. While Vacation's other key players (producer Bruce Fairbairn, outside songwriters Jim Vallance and Desmond Child) are still part of the mix, it's the band's familiar, tough swagger that powers this collection from the get-go. And while the Vallance-Child collaborations ("The Other Side" and the power ballad "What It Takes," respectively) were successful, it's telling that the album's twin pop-rock evergreens, "Love in an Elevator" and "Janie's Got a Gun," originated entirely within the band; the old dogs had not only learned a few new tricks, they seemed bent on tutoring their would-be trainers in the bargain. Pump is the high point of Aerosmith's improbable second chapter--and one of their best albums, period. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

pump rocks

The biggest album of Aerosmith's career? Well, some will argue Toys in the Attic was, but this album was more popular when it was first released because of the "big comeback" tag that was attached to it by many fans and disc jockeys. And how can I have a problem with that? The band had a severe drug addiction, and they were able to beat that dreadful addiction and make a quality album.

All the big hits from the album that you've heard (plenty of times) are gold, but even the lesser known songs are quite strong, melodically. Steven Tyler's singing is right on the money most of the time, and this album avoids being dominated with all kinds of stinky ballads the band would start making a couple years after this albums release. Worth picking up. April 21, 2008

Amongst Aerosmith's best

There is no doubt that Aerosmith's golden years were in the 70's with gems such as Toys In The Attic, Rocks, Draw The Line and the underrrated Night In The Ruts. Then the decline into drugs began along with the decline in sales.

Whilst Pump's predecessor Permanaent Vacation has some excellent songs, it is far more FM friendly, MTV orientated and commercial.

Pump is back to basics Aerosmith. It's starts Young Lust. Joey Kramer plays those drums as if his life depended on it and Tom Hamilton's bass thunders away, and Perry and Whitford are in brilliant form. Tyler sings with his usual innuendo laden way.

FINE is also a strong song and is followed up with Love In An Elevator; probably the best well known song on an album and brings back memories of Aerosmith's brilliant performance in Hyde Park in July this year.

Monkey On My Back is about Aerosmith's well known battle with drugs and is hard hitting, without preaching.

Janie's Got A Gun is probably one of Aerosmith's finest moments. Mr Hamilton's briliant bass intro and Tyler's hard hitting lyrics about child abuse easily make this the best song on the album.

The next song is the funky The Other Side folowed by the upbeat, sixties sounding, My Girl.

I love the song Don't Get Mad Get Even,(my mantra and something we should all aspire to)

The African laden Whitford/Tyler comes next and Pump closes off with the most FM sounding song on the album, What It Takes.

What I love about this album is that Aerosmith sound so ALIVE and forgive the pun, PUMPed up. The whole group are on top form and a clearly having a fantastic time.

You will too if you buy this.
January 27, 2008

Solid Rock !

Second album of the second life of Aerosmith and it is a very good one.
For sure, you have the hits Love in an elevator, Janie's got a gun, The other side and the super rock ballad "What it takes" but hey, the rest is just solid rock at its best. Young lust is a great opener. F.I.N.E is very good rock with Steven Tyler at its best. Monkey on my back is full of energy and Voodoo medecine man is just grooving. Amazing album.
Highly recommanded. January 14, 2008

Desert Island Disc! The True Aerosmith Comeback Album

After seeing Aerosmith perform in Rosemont, IL last night (9/24/07), I remembered fondly how much I loved this album when it was released and how it brought the long-overdue comeback of their career(s) back in full force during the late '80s (even more so than its predecessor, "Permanent Vacation"). Definitely a desert island disc, one to cherish and enjoy for all time! From "Love in an Elevator" to "Jamie's Got a Gun" to "The Other Side" to "What It Takes" (my personal fave from the LP), there is an energy in this music that harkens back to the classic Aerosmith LPs of the early '70s.

"What It Takes", in particular, is so much more a rocker-type ballad than "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" from later in their career....this kind of song represents, for me, something more closely aligned with "Dream On" (the ultimate power ballad, hands down!) and with the true nature/spirit of this great American rock band than something as sappy and disposable as "I Don't Want....".

Buy it and listen to it on a regular basis.... September 25, 2007

LEAVES ME SCRATCHIN' FOR MORE !!!

Aerosmith made several excellent CDs along the way; and they still go strong with plenty of life left in them! This CD by Aerosmith, Pump, gives us an excellent collection of more instantly classic rock tunes and ballads by these masters of rock and roll.

The CD track set begins with "Young Lust." The electric guitars work well to start off the number-- and the CD--just right. Steven Tyler cries out and then starts singing about the lust we all experience when we're young and spend time with someone we find really, really hot. The drums, percussion and guitars make a great musical arrangement that lets "Young Lust" take off like a jet! "F.I.N.E.*" rocks hard; the band performs this excellent number about how excited a young man is to spend time alone with his girlfriend. Great! Good subtle changes between major and minor chords, too.

"Love In An Elevator" starts with a few spoken lines to set the tone for this ballad about love, lust and romantic attraction between man and woman. Aerosmith compares love in an elevator to making love; the electric guitars, drums, percussion and bass work wonders for the arrangement. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry sing "Love In An Elevator" like the pros that they are! The band jams hard, too. Great! "Janie's Got A Gun" begins with an eerie sounding intro that has some awesome minor chords; Aerosmith sings of a woman who's been so abused by her father that she wants to use a gun to kill him. The drums make "Janie's Got A Gun" even better; and Aerosmith does this ballad to perfection. The chorus is very well done; and the band jams, too. I predict that you will like "Janie's Got A Gun" very much.

"Don't Get Mad, Get Even" explores the hatred a person can feel for another after they've been wronged. Steven Tyler sings of a man who wants to "get even" with the person who hurt him without losing control of himself. The guitars work wonders for "Don't Get Mad, Get Even." This rock number also lets Steven Tyler show of his wide vocal range--awesome!

The final track is entitled "What It Takes." This instant classic rock ballad explores the pain a man feels when he sees his former girlfriend with another man. He reminisces about their love and wonders what he could have done to keep their love alive. Steven Tyler delivers this passionately with all his heart and soul; and Joe Perry helps out on vocals, too. The harmonica adds a nice touch to the musical arrangement as the guitars rock hard with great percussion. "What It takes" provides a strong ending for this incredible album.

The liner notes include some fantastic artwork as well as the song credits.

Aerosmith put out many albums--and here's hoping they will continue to do so for many years to come! Nevertheless, Pump glistens like shiny gold amongst all their CDs. I highly recommend this as a "must-have" for Aerosmith fans; and people who enjoy classic rock will cling on to this album for ages to come!

Rock on, guys! Great job!
September 19, 2007

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