Aerosmith--Permanent Vacation

Aerosmith--Permanent Vacation (1987) Rating--8.4 **U.S. Sales Certification--Multi-Platinum 5**

The big comeback! Arising from a cloud of drug-induced wreckage that all but destroyed the band in the earliest stages of the decade, Aerosmith returns. Complete with a fresh outlook and the guiding hand of the commercial-minded producer Bruce Fairbairn, the boys crank out a number of tasty tracks in the reclamation process. Seemingly rejuvenated and sounding the youngest they have in their careers, they display great catchiness, sass, groove, and inventiveness.
Opening track "Heart's Done Time," while merely good- but-not-great, packs enough energy to make you lean a little closer to the speakers in anxiousness. "Magic Touch" fulfills the appetite, with a pounding and rolling mainframe. Singles "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" and "Rag Doll" did the most to get the band back on the rock n' roll map, with the latter being the ultimate drum-driven sass romp, full with slide guitar and sly vocals.
"St. John" and "Hangman Jury" have since become two of the most overlooked and underrated Aerosmith songs in the band's entire catalog, with great mood and atmosphere and distinctive qualities throughout.
The title track features the strongest riff on the album, an energetic remake of "I'm Down" is pulled off with ease, and the power ballad "Angel" is strong as well.
Nice to have you back, guys...
TRACK LIST: Heart's Done Time/Magic Touch/Rag Doll/Simoriah/Dude (Looks Like a Lady)/St. John/Hangman Jury/Girl Keeps Coming Apart/Angel/Permanent Vacation/I'm Down/The Movie

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