Aerosmith - Rock In A Hard Place

Steven Tyler kept Aerosmith rolling through its stormiest stretch, and Rock In A Hard Place is the 1982 album that came out of the chaos.

With Joe Perry gone and Brad Whitford soon to follow, Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer pressed on with new guitarists Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay. It was the band's seventh studio album, made during a period of real turmoil, and its unusual lineup gives it a curious, slightly outlaw status in the catalogue. Few records in their discography sound quite like it.

Jailbait kicks things off at a frantic, almost punk-like pace, and Lightning Strikes, the single, rides a stomping, hard-charging groove. Bolivian Ragamuffin is pure swagger, and a smoky cover of Cry Me A River shows off Tyler's fondness for vintage pop and blues.

The production is dense and ambitious, layered with sound effects and studio experiments, and Crespo's fluid, flashy leads give the album its own distinct flavour. Tyler sounds wild and unpredictable, which suits the material perfectly.

Long overlooked by casual fans, it has become a cult favourite among Aerosmith diehards, and a fresh pressing is a fine excuse to give it the hearing it deserves. Play it loud and judge it on its own terms.