Aerosmith’s blistering eponymous debut showcases the legendary band’s high-energy riffs, powerful rhythm section and soaring vocals which would become their trademark sound for over 50 years.
Aerosmith (Legendary Edition) is out now. To present their unfiltered vision now, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have newly mixed and remastered the original recordings and tapes with Zakk Cervini and Steve Berkowitz. This definitive collector’s edition includes a deluxe 5LP box, a 4LP slipcase, 1LP on black and color vinyl, 3CD, 1CD, as well as exclusive merch.
In retrospect, it’s a bit shocking how fully formed the signature Aerosmith sound was on their self-titled 1973 debut — which may not be the same thing as best-executed, because this album still sounds like a first album, complete with the typical stumbles and haziness that comes with a debut. Despite all this, Aerosmith clearly showcases all the attributes of the band that would become the defining American hard rock band of the ’70s. Here, the Stones influences are readily apparent, from the Jagger-esque phrasing of Steven Tyler to the group’s high-octane boogie, but the group displays little of the Stones’ deep love of blues here. Instead, Aerosmith is bloozy — their riffs don’t swing, they slide.
They borrow liberally from Led Zeppelin’s hybridization of Chess and Sun riffs without ever sounding much like Zep. they lack the delicate folky preciousness, they lack the obsession with blues authenticity, they lack the larger-than-life persona of so many Brit bands.
They are truly an American band, sounding as though they were the best bar band in your local town, cranking out nasty hard-edged rock, best heard on “Mama Kin,” the best rocker here, one that’s so greasy it nearly slips through their fingers. But the early masterpiece is, of course, “Dream On,” the first full-fledged power ballad.
There was nothing quite like it in 1973, and it remains the blueprint for all power ballads since. The rest of the record contains the seeds of Aerosmith’s sleazoid blues-rock, but they wouldn’t quite perfect that sound until the next time around.
Meticulously crafted and overseen by the band, this Legendary Collector’s Edition features timeless classics like “Mama Kin”, “Movin’ Out” and “Make It”, plus the enduring anthem “Dream On” in a stunning boxset that features:
- The original album remastered on 180g clear vinyl
- Brand new mixes from original masters on 180g translucent red vinyl
- Live performance from Paul’s Mall, 1973 plus previously unreleased studio tracks on 180g black vinyl (2 LPs)
- Exclusive clear UV cloud effect 12” vinyl featuring ‘Dream On’ 2024 Remaster and ‘Dream On’ 2024 Mix set atop a printed slipmat
- Immersive hardback book featuring all new liner notes, previously unseen photos and more
- Exclusive fold-out 24” x 36” poster and sticker sheet
all housed in a deluxe box complete with a special Aerosmith 3D popup diorama.
Release date: 20th March, 2026
The Fat Angel Sings 