Permanent Vacation [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Aerosmith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 20, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B00005QEO0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,947 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #78 in Music > Classic Rock > Glam

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars-For bringing the Bad Boys from Boston back., November 11, 2002

By 

Stretch (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Permanent Vacation (Audio CD)

This album is almost as good as Done with Mirrrors. As is it ranks as the third best of Aerosmith's comeback records.
If you're wondering, in order they are:

3)Permanent Vacation
2)Done with Mirrors
1)Pump

It was all downhill after Pump. With 1993's Get A Grip they became a corporate hit-making machine, churning out Sappy MTV inspired drivel. And one ends up asking themself "Are these the same guys who sang Back in the saddle?" As a native Bostonian it's sad to say, I used to be proud of these guys, now I see 'em on stage with Britney Spears and just shake my head in shame. Although I will say this, they're still a pretty decent live-act.

Oh yeah! (No pun intended) I forgot, I was reviewing Permanent Vacation. Following the unjust commercial failure of Done with mirrors, the boys headed up to Vancouver to work with Bon Jovi Producer Bruce Fairbairn (R.I.P) to help give their sound more apeal. And they used outside writers to spruce up their songs. It works for the most part, this album here is still undoubtedly Aerosmith at the Core, yet it had a slight commercial twist. And the band members at least co-wrote all the tunes, in other words you won't have syrupy garbage like "I don't wanna miss a thing."

The album starts off with "Hearts done time" one of the all-time great Aero openers. Some have called this song boring, but I disagree, it's got Joey Kramer's bombastic drumming and Steven Tyler's patented screams at the end. The next track "Magic Touch" features a prominent Twin Guitar crunch with a nice Joe Perry Solo. I believe these songs are vastly overlooked and underrated in the Aerosmith catalog, they never show up on the compilations. "Ragdoll" is the hit we all know by heart. It displays a too-funky-for-it's-own goo guitar lick and an enchanting horn section. Mr. Tyler's verses are chock full of swagger. Plus, ya gotta love that video ;)

The fourth track is "Simoriah" which I never hear mentioned at all. Probably because it's not an excellent song, granted, I like the Guitar arrangement that kicks it off, but it sounds a bit dated. "Dude looks like a lady" is strong of course. I've heard this song was written about Motley Crue's Vince Neil, though I'm not sure.

"St. John" and "Hangman jury" are two tracks that are criminally overlooked and underrated. The former displaying some heavy duty Rocks-era riffing and clever lyrics. "Hangman jury" revels in the bands roots. It's very bluesy, Steven Tyler's on the Harmonica. The song builds up slowly and then the duel guitars carry it home. "Girl keeps coming apart" is decent. I didn't like it at first but it's since grown on me. It has a catchy hook, if not careful, you'll singit all day.

Following that is the song that I never cared much for "Angel". It takes you to Velveeta-land. Brush your teeth after listening, it drips with syrup and sap. Given Aerosmith's great history of tear-jerking, heartfelt ballads, like "Dream on" "You see me cryin" and "Home tonight", Simply put, this one doesn't stack up and is a big letdown.

The title track is enjoyable, it has a carribean flavor with steel drums in the background. Their cover of the Beatles' "I'm down" is pulled off with ease. Closing the album is an instrumental "The movie" with a great Tom Hamilton bass line, with Brad Whitford, Joe Perry and Joey Kramer giving it their all, and similar to Cal Ripken, Ironman Steve Tyler sits one out.

In closing this album is just a notch below Pump and Done with mirrors, you should still pick it up. The songs that didn't make it onto the Radio are very good.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slick & Polished Record - A Great Comback For Aerosmith, July 12, 2006

By 

R. Gorham "RCG2" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Permanent Vacation (Audio CD)

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

THE DISC: (1987) 12 songs clocking in at approximately 52 minutes. The digitally remastered version released in 2001. Included with the disc is a 10-page booklet containing band photos, song titles/credits, song lyrics, and thank you's. Recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios, Vancouver BC, Canada. Label - Geffen.

COMMENTS: Two years prior, "Done With Mirrors" (1985) marked a comeback of sorts for Aerosmith. The Toxic Twins were supposedly sober and ready to take America by storm, again. Decades later, the band is still on top of the world - giving us fresh music and selling millions of albums. Looking back, the late 70's and early 80's were a rough period for Aerosmith. Jack Daniels was the beverage of choice for band members, drugs, infighting, and ultimately guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford went their separate ways. 1985 saw them back in the studio - wanting to cut an album, wanting to rock & roll... and "Done With Mirrors" proved they could still do it. With "Permanent Vacation", Aerosmith proved they were still a hit making rock machine. "Vacation" was professional, slick, and polished. 12 fabulous songs filled with catchy hooks, modest tongue-in-cheek humor was present again, and a few huge hits to boot - "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)", "Rag Doll" and "Angel" - marking their return to form! As much as the hits received major airplay, the deeper album cuts were simply gems... the 1-2 punch of openers "Heart's Done Time" and "Magic Touch" get the album off to a rocking start. Perry's blistering guitar work on "Simoriah" and the title track. Ultra cool swaggering songs "St. John" and "Hangman Jury", their first Beatle's cover "I'm Down", as well as the closing instrumental "The Movie". Thoroughly listenable - every track. As much as "Permanent Vacation" saw the band gelling again, it was a welcome comeback for one of America's all-time legendary bands. Classic disc (5-stars).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Big Comeback, January 24, 2007

By 

Steven Sly (Kalamazoo, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Permanent Vacation (Audio CD)

The first album from the now "sober" Aerosmith and the beginning of their huge comeback that has continued to this day. Some people look at this album as a sell-out due to the influx of outside writers and the general polished sound of the album. Personally I think it rocks. The band sounds rejuvenated and there is a lot of great material to be found on this disc. The album spawned the huge hits "Rag Doll", "Dude Looks Like A Lady", and the lame "Angel". Overall most of the rest of the songs are good to great Aerosmith. "Hangman Jury" is cool. "Girl Keeps Coming Apart" has a nice Joe Perry guitar solo. The title track is a nice rocker and they even throw in an instrumental called "The Movie" which works quite well too. Overall I think this was a great comeback album.