Customer Reviews

Get A Grip

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album is PACKED with songs - and they happen to be big songs that rock. Granted, it's produced with polish, but when you've got loads of money and you're in the big game (AND trying to keep your 2nd wind rolling with momentum in your third decade of relevance), there WILL be some "commercialization" to your music. But if I ever get any point across to anyone, hear ye hear ye: Commercialization doesn't have to be a bad word if you still back it up with your musical integrity.

Many people say that Get a Grip does not back up the integrity of Aerosmith. It's funny how in the early 90's, this album was the ONLY thing acceptable in the teenage mainstream (aside from Zeppelin and Floyd) that wasn't spelled with an N, an I, an R, a V, an N, ... you get the idea. So, when it was trendy to bash the 80's, Aerosmith sort of fell through the cracks of adolescent ridicule and sold millions of this record, and they have been paying for it with many "loyal and disappointed" fans ever since Grunge faded out and the late 90's gave way to the new Millenium. Now, many call the AmazaCrazyCryin trilogy a bunch of cheesy garbage. Funny how these are the same songs that were colossal hit singles with fans and newly-converted alike, back in 93-94. Then you've got your older generation who won't shut up about how Aerosmith will never rock like "Toys in the Attic."

So, as a fan of All Aerosmith Eras, I hope you can accept that as a chance for an objective (if passionate) review of "Get a Grip", when placed into the big picture.

First of all, in another 5 years, this album will probably be well-remembered again, and probably thought of as a classic, just as some of their 70's stuff (especially since word is they're going back to that direction at last). It's all just a big cycle, and if you need proof, trust me - the 80's are MUCH more tolerated now than a decade ago. It's just taboo to touch anything within the 5-15 year span after the initial craze dies down. But I'm gonna touch it. And listen to it. And talk about it. And love it.

This album rocks big time. And it doesn't rock shallowly, either. Joe Perry's got some scorching solos all throughout (especially given his "sloppy" bluesy balls-to-the-wall technique). The one in "Livin' on the Edge" is quite melodic and creative. The one in "Crazy" is so tasteful to the mood of the song. And mainly, "Eat the Rich"... this is one of Aerosmith's greatest non ballad songs ever. It starts with the 'Walk This Way' riff, but does not cash in. It dives into a fast gritty riff of its own and plunges into a real calorie-burner of a song, no pun intended. The lyrics, the music, the groove, the cohesiveness as a band, the refraining from substance abuse that often clouded the band's creativity - it all came together with "Permanent Vaction" and "Pump," and triumphantly kept on going.

Let's tackle the issue of AmazaCrazyCryin. These songs are expertly written, recorded, and performed. So emotional, not pretensious, at times epic, and when closely analyzed, creatively crafted. If you are thinking they sound like a formula that's been repeated over and over, ... don't forget that someone first has to invent the formula. There, issue tackled.

Anyone thinking chants of "sellout" might want to think of the pressure-filled situation of having sold gazillions of copies and STILL having the ball in your court, knowing that the public won't forget you've got another album coming up again. This album also proves that not so long ago, you could have 5 HUGE big singles and NOT chalk the rest of an album up to filler. This album can be thought of as a great template which, aside from Amazin/Crazy/Cryin, has never stimulated later influence in other artists who boybands shall here britney go unnamed matchbox20.

Only "Gotta Love it" gets a bit boring and repetitive, and even there, they experimented with some different chords that just didn't happen to work. As far as 14 song journeys go, "Get a Grip" is one of the strongest albums. I think it's a wonderful touch to close with a well-written instrumental ("Boogie Man"), showcasing immense diversity for an American staple known as Aerosmith.

Don't get me wrong, I DO have issues with outside writers, when the band could do it themselves (I've got huge problems with the Diane Warren infection that would soon follow), but in my modestly educated opinion, the product as a whole DOES sound like the band you expect it to sound like, just a next-decade upgrade (And I usually call veteran rockers' "evolutions" DOWNGRADES instead).

Bottom line, put all the mild controversy aside, put the phones on (or crank the stereo up) and blast off to Aeroland. You'd be hard-pressed to honestly call "Get a Grip" anything short of quality rock and roll from a legendary band that does just that.

THE BAND: Steven Tyler (vocals, piano, harmonica), Joe Perry (guitars), Brad Whitford (guitars), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1993) 14 tracks clocking in at just over 62 minutes. Included with the disc is a 6-page foldout containing a band picture, song titles, song lyrics, thank you's and assorted finger prints (as well as nipples on the disc itself). Several guest musicians contributing on keyboards or backing vocals include Don Henley, Desmond Child, Lenny Kravitz, Ritchie Supa. Recorded at Little Mountain Studios (Vancouver, Canada) and A & M Studios, Los Angeles, CA. Label - Geffen.

COMMENTS: I like this album, though it was somewhat of a disappointment after "Pump" (1989). The writing was on the wall - the power ballads were coming. "Pump" and "Permanent Vacation" each featured a smash ballad that got tons of air-play. "Get A Grip" features three ballads... "Cryin'", "Crazy" and "Amazing". Good songs, but not what I was expecting. These three songs sound similar and I'd be willing to be that most of the listening public would say they're interchangeable. The song "Eat The Rich" is borderline rap/hip-hop. "Gotta Love It" and Joe Perry's "Walk On Down" are the weakest tracks on the disc. Perry is a God on the guitar, and his lead vocals on his one song makes me think he should stick to the axe and backing vocals. There are several great songs here... "Get A Grip" with it's slow heavy drum beat, the fast paced "Fever" and "Shut Up & Dance", and the 1st hit released from the album "Livin' On The Edge". The 3 ballads mentioned above would also be big hits from this album. Like anything the band did in the 90's or after; the material has changed with the times, but it just can't compare to their music from the 70's. A good album for Aerosmith, not a classic though (3.5 stars).

1993's Get a Grip was the follow up to Aerosmith's 1989 classic Pump.While Get a Grip was a huge smash hit, it doesn't rank anywhere close to most of it's preceeders.I'd say it falls into the ranks of Draw the Line,A Night in the Ruts, and Rock in a Hard Place, all decent albums but not really up to the standards of the rest of Aerosmith's albums. Their where a handful of hit singles from the album, including Livin' on the Edge, Cryin', Crazy, and Amazing. The album is a polished affair with professional songwriters brought in, but it doesn't have the edge of Permanent Vacation or Pump(both of these albums they used professional songwriters also). Where Pump came close to bringing the Aerosmith sound back to what it used to be, Get a Grip makes a bid for radio airplay, and attracking more of a pop audience then their earlier work.If you like Aerosmith I'm sure you'll like Get a Grip, but I just want to say that it's not one of Aerosmith's best albums, go out and buy the first four albums instead of this one, then you'll hear the real Aerosmith.

There's some really good music on this album, though it's not nearly as hard rocking as fans of the older Aerosmith would expect (or perhaps want). The three singles "Amazing," "Cryin'," and "Crazy" in particular seem like commercialized pop-rock. That isn't to say that I don't like them. As much as I generally hate rock that sounds like it was especially made for radio/MTV, those three songs are just too good to dislike. Then there are the other songs like "Livin' On the Edge" and "Eat the Rich," which also got some attention and aren't too bad. Overall, while it's not nearly as rocking as the classic Aerosmith stuff, it's perhaps just as good.

When Aerosmith released Permanent Vacation it was hailed as their comeback album, and it may well have been. Their follow up, Pump was also a fine effort.

By the time Get A Grip was released the reformed original line up was firing on all cylinders. This album had several hits (unfortunately many of them also sound alike) but the real gems are the songs like Eat the Rich that didn't get airplay.

With Get A Grip Aerosmith successfully fused their dirty rock and blues sound with a pop-metal vibe that was virtually perfect.

While not as great as the classics like Toys in the Attic, Get A Grip is a worthy addition to your collection.

Aerosmith's Get A Grip is a great album for any occasion. Every time I put this album on, it brings back such good memories, especially since I was so young and things were a lot easier then. Aerosmith's early 90s music is probably my favourite era of Aerosmith and this is probably my favourite CD.
Steven Tyler's vocals are exceptional and the song writing is exciting. Best tracks - Eat The Rich, Shut Up & Dance, Line Up and Amazing. Perfect for any music or Aerosmith collection.

Six years after Aerosmith's late 80s comeback Aerosmith entered the studio once again. The sessions were troubled by a lack of creativity and many guest song writers were brought in to help. The first version of the album was rejected by Geffen execs and the band hit the studio again. They emerged with a very glossy album that would become their biggest seller. The album itself is really only average by Aerosmith standards. The album just lacks punch like Pump or Rocks. This album was marketed really well driven by the "trilogy". The videos for Cryin, Amazin, & Crazy were well done and stole the show. The rest of the album while not exactly filler, just isn't as good as the 5 hit singles. Overall it is a good listen and you should get it even if it is only average.

1. Intro. Just like it says a noisy intro.

2. Eat the Rich. 10/10 First single and most hardrocking on the album. Great guitars on this one.

3. Get a Grip. 7/10 I like the drum intro even though it sounds like you're in an aerobics class. The lyrics and Guitars just aren't up to snuf on this one.

4. Fever. 7/10 Fast song, but doesn't have that Aerosmith magic.

5. Living on the Edge. 10/10 2nd single from the album. Really great song with a pounding, driving drum beat. Many knock the social/political commentary lyrics by Steven Tyler but I like them. Great guitar solo too.

6. Flesh. 7/10 Another let down after the great song before.

7. Walk on Down. 7/10 Musically this song isn't that bad, it has a nice blues feel. But I don't like Joe Perry's singing.

8. Shut & Dance. 6/10 This is a weak song. The music & lyrics just aren't very good.

9. Cryin. 10/10 3rd single and really good song about relationships. Great video too if you see it.

10. Gotta Love it. 8/10 This is pretty good. Has a nice groove.

11. Crazy. 9/10 5th single from this album. I loved it when it came out but then hated it when it got overexposed. I would skip this track until 2002 I hated it so much. Finally I listened to it and could enjoy it again.

12. Lineup. 8/10 Pretty good song but nothing special about it.

13. Amazing. 10/10 The 4th hit single starts as a soft ballad and builds and builds. Great guitar solos to end the song.

14. Boogieman. Short little guitar instrumental.

If you are a hardcore fan then you know you should have this one. If you just want the hits get Big Ones or some of their other new greatest hits CDs. Remember even an average Aerosmith album is better than most other bands best stuff.

On their 11th studio album released in 1993, Aerosmith gets use of what worked best on their previous albums, resulting in stadium rock of "Eat The Rich", "Walk On Down" and "Living On The Edge", heavy Rolling Stonish blues of "Flesh" and bitter-sweet ballads "Crying", "Crazy" and "Amazing". The sound is therefore excessively polished and offers very little room for experimentation, mostly limited with a loud eructation at the opening of "Get a Grip". This is definitely not the ground-breaking hard rock milestone but rather a predictable commercial rock very much in the style of Bon Jovi (rock trademark of the 90s?). While the powerful beat and roaring guitars may still keep you rocking, a more careful listen will make you want search for more when there is little to search for. "And how high can you fly with broken wings" sings Steven Tyler on the hit ballad "Amazing" and lyrically it feels like Aerosmith have indeed landed on this album. Except for "Amazing", the lyrics are pretty mediocre and lines like "sex is like a gun, you aim, you shoot, you run" are evident of a serious lyrical crisis Aerosmith suffered in early 90s. A solid collection of rock hits, but nothing close to outstanding should be expected. --Sain Alizada

This is the second time I have bought this CD. The first one got lost in a divorce. It still sounds just as good the second time around. The songs are all classic Aerosmith. I had to have it bad enough to buy it twice.

They had been building up to this album! The trilogy of commercial works which began with "Permanent Vacation" and moved on to "Pump." While each of those albums had a few great songs and a bunch of other filler tracks. "Get A Grip" was packed with radio friendly and video friendly singles. Song after song took them to stardom far beyond the "classic rock" legends they had become. After 1993 they never looked back. They were mega stars that found themselves in movies, TV and all around Hollywood callings. While it gave us good rock n roll songs and one unforgettable album, it sadly moved them into the arena of taking themselves "too serious!" An end to one era and the beginning of another.