20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Aerosmith

iTunes Review

20th Century Masters spans Aerosmith’s second golden age, 1987 to 1994. This compact collection presents in chronological order the 12 Top 40 hits that reintroduced this ‘70s hard-rock institution to a new generation of fans. Drawn from the band’s three Geffen albums —Permanent Vacation, Pump, and Get a Grip — the songs on this compilation owe a lot to Bruce Fairbairn, the Canadian producer who guided Aerosmith’s comeback success. With songs like “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Love In an Elevator,” Fairbairn introduced a new accessibility into the Aerosmith sound without sacrificing the signature swagger of their ‘70s heyday. Equally notable is the presence of Desmond Child, who co-wrote “Angel,” “What It Takes,” and “Crazy,” songs that made Aerosmith the foremost purveyors of the power ballad in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. The new Aerosmith and the old Aerosmith converge perfectly on “Cryin’,” a song that blends the glorious swagger of classic Stones with the commercial sheen of ‘90s radio rock.