Steven Tyler
We’re All Somebody From Somewhere
(Dot Records/Big Machine Label Group)
Steven Tyler is probably best known for being the frontman of one of the world’s rock bands Aerosmith. Aerosmith have performed to sold-out arenas and stadiums around the world , released several hit songs such as ‘Love In An Elevator, ‘Crazy’ and the emotional ballad ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing’ from the 1998 film ‘Armageddon’.
Tyler, not wanting to be musically pigeonholed travelled to Nashville, Tennessee last Spring and set out working with a collection of legendary producers and writers such as T Bone Burnett, Dane Huff, as well as Marti Frederisken and Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three).
Opener ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ has a blend of acoustic guitar and dreamy accordion as Tyler sings to an unknown female as he explains ‘I could blame midnight, for bad decisions and blurry visions for what I didn’t see’. At times the accordion takes on a James Bond/John Barry eerie feeling which suits Tyler’s voice perfectly. The song itself sounds like an unreleased Faces track (The Faces with Rod Stewart) and is a great way to kick off this country rock release.
The title track begins with an audio clip from what sounds like a radio interview and then the band go into it with a real groove as I can’t help but hear subtle elements of Guess Who’s ‘American Woman’ which was popularised by guitarist Lenny Kravitz. One thing that really shines on this album is Tyler’s humour and cheekiness with lines like ‘And cornbread. I love that stuff!’
This song will be a radio favourite with its catchy and relatable chorus and the funky trumpet mixing with fierce electric guitar and is an incredibly jazzy tune with the scatting. More Miles Davis than Merle Haggard I’d say!
‘Hold On (I Won’t Let You Go)’ features a reverb on his voice which I feel is a bit harsh whilst listening to it with headphones so I recommend listening to it on your speakers loud! Fans of both The Walking Dead and Sons Of Anarchy soundtracks will probably really dig this number and the harmonica solo from Steven is first class.
‘It Ain’t Easy’ is a vocal highlight against the pedal steel backdrop and actually showcases Steven’s vulnerability. Extremely listenable. ‘Love Is Your Name’ is essentially a rock song that has been stripped back with some upbeat fiddle.
‘I Make My Own Sunshine’ is a fantastic title and really has potential to be one of the songs of the summer with its hypnotic clapping. The twangy guitar is well-placed as it doesn’t overplay or block out the vocals. A very well mixed track.
‘Gypsy Girl’ is a bit sad and is definitely a heartfelt tune but it seems quite generic as if I just heard somewhere I wouldn’t immediately say ‘Oh that’s Steven Tyler!’ Musically well played but not as memorable as its predecessors.
‘Somebody New’ creates the sound of a moving train with the use of voice and chug-effect with the drums. The guitar on this is fluid throughout and the song wouldn’t be out of place on Don Henley’s back catalogue for example.
‘Only Heaven’ I suspect will become a live favourite amongst fans and the guitar soars like an eagle as Steven’s voice is in fine form on this sing-a-long number.
‘The Good, The Bad, The Ugly & Me’ hears the band play as a tight rock outfit and I think this would be a kick-a** duet with Canadian rocker Bryan Adams. Two rock music titans joining forces to create a great moment in music.
I actually already reviewed ‘Red, White & You’ as a single a couple of months ago so at the risk of repeating myself you can read my thoughts on the track here:
‘Sweet Louisiana’ is a song where it is unclear if he is singing about a person of if he has applied personification to the place Louisiana. However, I think that is part of the song’s magic and mystery so I don’t really need to know the answer.
‘What Am I Doin’ Right’ unfortunately doesn’t sound different enough to the other tracks on the album which honestly is a shame. I am in no way saying that the track is bad in anyway but it makes some of the tracks sound a tad formulaic.
‘Janie’s Got A Gun’ is an extremely dark song with a sad but all too real subject matter; young girls who suffer the trauma of abuse and neglect. Using the power of music to highlight an important cause or charity is not only powerful but also commendable in music industry that loves three minute manufactured radio-friendly pop ditties.
There is some background information regarding this track; In November 2015, Tyler founded his philanthropic initiative Janie’s Fund (www.janiesfund.org), in partnership with Youth Villages to bring hope and healing to girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect.
It is important to note that Steven Tyler is no stranger to roots music as Aerosmith released a blues album entitled ‘Honkin’ On Bobo’ as their 14th studio album release so the release of ‘Somebody Someone’ shouldn’t really come as a surprise to many Aerosmith fans.
Closing number ‘Piece Of My Heart’ is the classic soul song which Tyler has put a country music twist on with the help of The Loving Mary Band who make the song their own rather than just doing a carbon copy of the original. It puts a smile on your face throughout and helps conclude an album that is full of great musicianship, strong music production values, melodic and thought-provoking songs and the magical voice of the legend that is Steven Tyler.
Glenn Sargeant
Steven Tyler’s new solo album ‘We’re All Somebody From Somewhere’ is out worldwide on Dot Records/Big Machine Label Group. For more information visit Steven Tyler’s official website here: http://bit.ly/29DncNP
(Many thanks to Chris Dean at Wilful Publicity, Pete Sargeant and Amy Maunder Taylor for all of their help with this review)
