Aerosmith

Aerosmith’s self-titled debut is a remarkably assured collection of ‘70s-style hard rock. While the band would greatly expand and refine their sound from these raw beginnings, there is an incredible power to their early recordings. “Dream On” was a monster, a rock epic that’s still a showstopper all these decades later. The R&B roots are strongly evident in a killer cover of Rufus Thomas’ “Walkin’ the Dog” and the electric-boogie groove of “Somebody,” while the quick-lipped shuffle of “Mama Kin” already showcases singer Steven Tyler’s inimitable rapid-fire style. The band drew frequent comparisons to the Rolling Stones in those early days, as much for Tyler’s lips and guitarist Joe Perry’s dark horse demeanor as for the tight mesh guitars of Perry and second guitarist Brad Whitford. Even the lesser-known tracks here, the explosive opener “Make It,” the extended workout of the harmonica-driven “One Way Street” and the hilarious “Movin’ Out,” are all first rate tracks.