Big Ones

iTunes Review

By completely eschewing tracks from the band’s ‘70s heyday, Big Ones asserts that the reinvented Aerosmith can stand alone without the support of the early triumphs. The collection spans 1987 to 1994 and contains an astonishing number of hits for such a brief period. Under the direction of Bruce Fairbairn, “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” “Love in an Elevator” and “Eat the Rich” were conceived as fusions of strutting ‘70s rock and mainstream polish. “Cryin’,” “Amazing,” and “Crazy” are arguably the last great hard-rock power ballads, but the award for most unusual and inventive hair metal hit must go to “Janie’s Got a Gun.” As a bonus, two middle-of-the-road songs were recorded for Big Ones: the typically stellar rocker “Walk on Water,” and “Blind Man,” a suspiciously familiar retread of “Cryin’.” Faring better is “Deuces Are Wild,” a rarity from The Beavis & Butthead Experience that perfectly captures the sweet-and-ragged spirit that defined Aerosmith in the early ‘90s. Even if you never heard “Dream On” or “Back In the Saddle,” Big Ones would still present you will a portrait of a band with a fully realized personality.