Big Ones [Expanded]

Aerosmith: Steven Tyler (vocals, keyboards, mandolin, harmonica); Joe Perry (guitar, dulcimer, background vocals); Brad Whitford (guitar); Tom Hamilton (electric bass, background vocals); Joey Kramer (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Catherine Epps (spoken vocals); Tom Keenlyside (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Ian Putz (baritone saxophone); Henry Christian, Paul Baron (trumpet); Bruce Fairbairn (trumpet, background vocals); Bob Rogers (trombone); Richie Supa, John Webster, Desmond Child (keyboards); Drew Arnott (Mellotron); Jim Vallance (organ); Mapuhi T. Tekurio, Melvin Liufau, Wesey Mamea, Liainaiala Tagaloa, Sandy Kanaeholo, Aladd Alatina Teofilo Jr. (Polynesian log drums); Don Henley, Bob Dowd (background vocals).
Producers: Bruce Fairbairn, Michael Beinhorn.
Engineers include: Adam Kaspar, Mike Fraser, Bob Rock.
All songs written or co-written by members of Aerosmith.
Big Ones serves up the hits and nothing but the hits; Aerosmith's excellent debut for Geffen, Done with Mirrors, is conveniently overlooked. So what's left is some of the finest mainstream hard rock of the late '80s and early '90s -- the fruits of one of the most remarkable comebacks in rock & roll history. Unfortunately, there's precious little of the classic Aerosmith raunch; in fact, the two new tracks are the hardest, slinkiest tracks here. Otherwise, the up-tempo tracks bog down in over-production ("Love in an Elevator"), and the frequently embarrassingly overwrought power ballads ("Angel" and "Crazy") dominate too much of the album. So what's left? The band's best stab at social commentary ("Janie's Got a Gun"), a sublime slinky throwaway ("Deuces Are Wild"), deliciously sleazy blues-rockers ("Rag Doll," "[Dude] Looks Like a Lady"), and their best ballads ("What It Takes" and "Cryin'"). [A bonus track version was also released.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine