Customer Reviews

Devil's Got A New Disguise, The Very Best Of Aerosmith

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Let's do a little math. Over the course of their career, Aerosmith have released fourteen "proper" albums. There are also five official live albums (1. Live Bootleg, 2. Classics Live I, 3. Classics Live II, 4. A Little South of Sanity, 5. Rockin' the Joint.) Meanwhile, not including various repackaging schemes, re-releases, and international items, there are currently nine Aerosmith compilation albums on the market. (1. Greatest Hits, 2. Gems, 3. Pandora's Box, 4. Big Ones, 5. Box of Fire, 6. Young Lust, 7. O Yeah, 8. Gold, 9. Devil's Got a New Disguise.) Add those compilations to the live albums and you get fourteen "retrospective" releases. So Aerosmith and their record companies have managed to squeeze fourteen retrospectives out of fourteen original albums. A pretty impressive feat, if you think about it. But it's obvious what the true fan should really spend his or her money on, if you disdain market saturation and contractual fulfillments.

The recent compilations favor the overblown blues/soul orchestrations of the latter phase of the band's career (late 80s to present), while giving short shrift to the well-toned heavy rock of the classic years (up to the late 70s) and completely ignoring the lost years (late 70s to mid 80s). If you're partial to the hard rockin' classic years, then for a useful overview you still can't do any better than the short and snappy Greatest Hits from 1980. Or just buy all the proper albums from that period, which would be infinitely more rewarding than these useless modern compilations. As for this new Devil's Got a New Disguise release, the song selection is nearly identical to the O Yeah collection from just four years ago, with the obligatory so-called bonus tracks to supposedly make the purchase worthwhile. Here, "Sedona Sunrise" is actually rather unique for the band's recent history, but there's a reason the two bonus tracks were previously unreleased. One could certainly blame the record companies for regurgitating all these quickie compilations, but some fault also lies with the band, who have diluted their legacy by allowing these repetitive retrospectives to be released, as easy ways to fulfill contracts. If you're really into Aerosmith, just commit some money to all of those fourteen original albums. After all, there's as many of those as there are retrospectives, and the originals are where the action really is. [~doomsdayer520~]

No, I don't have any problems with Aerosmith, and no, I don't have any problems with compilations either, when they are done right and at the right time. Unfortunately, this one is yet another sign of how out of synch the big record companies have become: instead of offering an interesting product, featuring some of the myriad of "lost songs" in the band's catalog (and there were MANY leftovers from their recording sessions for "Get a Grip" and "Nine Lives", to mention but 2 examples...), Columbia/Sony decides to throw ANOTHER dull, pointless greatest hits compilation of material that we, Aerosmith fans, ALREADY HAVE!!!

The catch? Two unreleased songs dating as far back as "Pump" and "Get a Grip". In the age of digital downloading, trying to trick fans into buying a lousy compilation with such a nasty trick is low, very low, even for record industry standards. Don't waste your money on this: if you're a fan, you already have the tunes, and if you're looking for an introduction, go get "O, Yeah Ultimate Hits", which is far better than this.

By all means, support the artist: (LEGALLY!!!!) download the "new" tunes, but skip this CD. And what's the deal with the cover??? C'mon, been there, done that!!! It's a sad remake of Def Leppard's "Retroactive" cover, only 13 years late!! Talk about being a day late, a dollar short...anyway... There is nothing wrong with the band, or the music included here for that matter, but simply put: you don't need this. No one does...

Aerosmith is contractually obligated to Sony Music to deliver another record this year. They had begun recording one, but Steven Tyler had to have throat surgery - taking him away from singing for months - and another bandmember was diagnosed with cancer and has begun treatment, preventing him from playing with the band also.

In order to fulfill their contract they put out a Greatest Hits, and because it contains two new songs (one an old demo from the Pump days, actually) it is technically a "new album."

So there you go.

This is for the kids, because there's nothing here for the fans. We've had this stuff for years. As far as the new songs go...we may be older, but we sure as heck know how to download! We've got money-just don't want to waste it. How about a decent concert DVD!

Because I have been an Aerosmith fan since 1977, seen them many times, own all 14 studio albums, and own the 5 mediocre live albums, I feel I am qualified to post this review. How can a band like Aerosmith, one of the greatest live acts of all time, put out 14 studio albums, and look you in the eye while releasing their 12th greatest hits collection? How many times can you really sell the studio version of Dream On? If it is about the money, more power to them, do not blame them, but why not release some real live albums instead? I am not talking about half a show like the one they did on "Rockin the Joint", or a collection of live tracks like those that they did on "Little South of Sanity", but a boneified, un-cut, un-censored live Aerosmith show. Instead of another Aeorsmith Greatest hits every Christmas, why not a complete live show? How much effort could it really take to cut the interviews out of "You Gotta Move" and release the soundtrack on CD? How much effort can it take to release the complete un cut show from "Rockin the Joint"? What would you rather own, another greatest hits package with the same 15 - 22 songs or a complete show from the Done with Mirrors tour? Wouldn't you trade "Young Lust the Aerosmith Anthology" for the complete live New Years Eve 1999 show from Japan? Wouldn't you trade "Oh Yea Ultimate Aerosmith Hits" for one of the two live Donnington shows they did in the 90's, or how about trading "Big Ones" for something live from the Rocks tour, or even the complete show from Vegas they cut up for "Rockin the Joint". The production cost on these records would not be anymore then the Greatest Hits packages they turn out. They would probably sell more copies and make their true fans happy. I just do not see how a band can have more greatest hits albums then they do top ten hits. How can a band like Aerosmith who has been rockin it out for over 30 years not release one complete live show? You know the vaults at Perry's house are full of them. How a bout a box set with 4 or 5 complete shows from throughout their career? Anything but another greatest hits album.

DO NOT BUY THIS UNLESS YOU ARE AWARE OF THE CHOPPED SONGS ON IT. I was so excited to pop this C.D. in and as I started to listen and sing along I was quite upset to find out that most of the songs on the C.D. have large portions cut out. I felt like throwing the C.D. out the window, and I may as well have, because I cant return it, and I am still going to have to buy another C.D. that has the full versions of the songs on it.

The Bright Side:
-All songs here are mega-hits
-Provided in chronological order
-18 songs on only one CD
-Very affordable
-The two new tracks, "Devil's Got a New Disguise" and "Sedona Sunrise", are very good

The Dark Side:
-Obviously missing some key songs
-Some albums do not have a song represented
-About their 9th compilation

The Verdict:
Very good to buy if you just want the hits, or if you are low on cash. The hardcore Aerosmith fans should pass this up, because they undoubtedly know all of these songs. Best bet is to buy their studio albums for the very good deep cuts. Just remember to download the two new tracks, as they are welcome additions to the Aerosmith library.

I am both a big Aerosmith fan and the guy who usually ends up writing a review defending releases like this. It makes me laugh the way so many people come into these boards and write reviews all bent out of shape because a band is releasing yet another live or greatest hits album. It's not that I disagree that there may be too many of them or that it is an obvious marketing ploy, but some people take it so personally you'd think someone was putting a gun to their head and forcing them to buy these things. There are all these comments about the band or record company "robbing" customers. That's ridiculous. If you don't want it, don't buy it. How does its existence in the market place hurt you?! If it pleases someone else then it is worth having (for them anyway) available. The rest can just leave it on the shelf and keep right on walking.

I generally would rather have a new album from an artist or band a truly love, but specialty products like greatest hits compilations, boxsets, live albums, and rarity compilations are fun too, and a lot of times something I really look forward to enough - especially with bands that have very little of those type of releases, or have yet to get them right - that I would request them over a new album. There is a weird condescension among fans generally: first they complain that a band does not release enough bootleg/hard to find stuff, then they complain they don't release enough new stuff, then they complain that the new stuff isn't as good as the old stuff. There is just no pleasing so many of you that it is little wonder that most bands adopt the "we'll do what we like, no point in trying to please everybody" mentality.

The problem with this release is not that it exists or that there have been others before or that it is somehow here instead of a new album,; the problem is the simple fact that it is pointless. It is pointless to try and cram thirty plus years worth of hits on to one CD and it is pointless for anyone to buy this instead of the recent two disc hits set ("Oh Yeah! The Ultimate Collection," 2002) that itself, even at two discs, managed to miss a few high points fans would argue should have been included, but is a far closer representation of "the very best of Aerosmith" that this album claims to be. There is also "Big Ones" for later day, Geffen-era Aerosmith fans, and/or their early-80s Columbia-era greatest hits collection representing the first chapter of the band.

There is this new ideology in the record industry that even though a band may have a few greatest hits albums already, that there must be a one-disc "very best" of. Nothing but the biggest hits. For those, I guess, who are just the "singles-only" type of fan and consider anything less than a top ten hit to be filler. For them, maybe this album is what they are looking for.

Let's face it, these types of greatest hits (and all hits collections really, but these one-disc jobs especially) are not made for true fans. And why would true fans want them? Most should already have all these songs, and real fans will tell you they listen to the big hits the least. These are for the people with limited knowledge about the group and just want a collection of stuff they like when it pops on the radio. I would rather an album like this existed to provide that but also sneak in some other stuff, songs that would turn the casual listener into a true fan by making them want to seek out more of the group's great music ("Oh Yeah!" might be that ticket for the Aerosmith uninitiated). But that's not the case with these types of releases.

Sometimes, even though you hate to see so much missing, these one-disc-ers are able to do a decent job hitting the necessary marks. Prince's single disc hits, though I would never trade it for his more mammoth hits compilation, does a pretty good job of compiling a collection of his best stuff without leaving the listener feeling gypped. Yes it misses a lot, but at least it stays true to its title as a "very best of." I'm a huge Tom Petty fan and think his single-disc hits is lite and lacking, but I can't argue that his biggest hits are indeed all represented (for the record, his two disc "Anthology" is a far better product). Then there is something like Bruce Springsteen's single disc hits which looks like the record company pulled 5 or 6 genuine hits and then just threw darts at song titles posted on the wall to comprise the rest of the set, with no regard for fans would consider his "best."

This Aerosmith "very best of," while technically comprised of huge hits, falls closer to the Springsteen side. It simply misses too much and there is just no reason to opt for this instead of "Oh Yeah!" unless you are the most minimalist Aerosmith fan. They have not even put out an album of original Aerosmith-penned material since that last hits collection, so this release is especially odd since it is not updating the last hits with songs from an album (or albums) released since the last hits compilation.

So, while the music here is all admittedly 5-star quality, there is not enough of it, and there are better releases to find these songs as well as the others that should be here. There are three reasons though I can think of to pick this one up: 1) As I said, for the casual fan this may be enough (though I strongly suggest you choose one of the other options), 2) It is dirt cheap compared to the 2-disc set, or even the decade-plus old "Big Ones" - $7 at Best Buy, and 3) the main reason: two new songs and both of them are good. It's not surprising that the melodic, roadhouse blues of "Sedona Surprise" sounds something akin to "What it Takes." The song is from the "Pump" sessions. I'm not sure about the history of "Devil's Got a New Disguise," but it too sounds like something from 90's-era Aerosmith. Regardless, they are well-worth having for any Aerosmith fan. But you can probably get them off itunes for a buck each and still save some cash, even at the relatively small price of this set.

So here is another Aerosmith greatest hits collection. Like I said, I think it's pointless in lieu of there other, superior collections, but there is no need to bash the band for it. So it's out there and us true fans don't need it. I guess then we just won't buy it. No biggie.

I love everything they have released but if you seriosly wanna buy a greatest Hits album of this band, Don't buy this one They left off a couple of there Number 1's some songs are cut way to short Like take "Livin on the Edge" it's original runtime is 6:21 on this album it's two minutes shorter, and "Walk This Way" buy Run DMC and Aerosmith is originally 5:11 and on here it's 3:40 and theres a few more songs that are cut like this. I mean seriously what happend in the studio come on guys release something better than this. But hey I do give you credit there is two brand new songs on here the title song and Sedona Sunrise, and there purrdy good. but seriosly if you want some good Aerosmith songs please buy O, Yeah it want disappoint your tast for Aerosmith. it may cost a little bit more. But it's worth it.

I LOVE Aerosmith, and i have for ages... but we don't need yet another greatest hits album! we're not gonna pay that much money to get two new tracks! yes it's affordable, but for an album which includes new songs you actually want to have, not to get a couple of new songs.... we need a new studio album, not another compilation!