Aerosmith's 'Bobo' stirs 'Sweet Emotions'

After releasing 14 studio albums, having a #1 hit single on the charts and being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, what's left for Aerosmith? Something a little more bluesy. \nStyle syncretism is nothing new to the fivesome which started in 1970, but instead of rap, this time the group is fusing in the blues. The group's latest accomplishment, Honkin' on Bobo, features several blues-inspired covers and a sexy original, "The Grind." \nWhile the Demon of Screamin' himself, Steven Tyler, wails on most songs, deeper-voiced guitarist Joe Perry sings the lead vocals on a couple tracks, which makes for a great contrast. There's even a hearty mix of pianos, organs and, of course, Tyler's harmonica.\nThe album is an excellent retort to old-school rockers' charges that the band has sold out. Now there's a Dobro and a hurdy gurdy, and all kinds of scat and improv. It doesn't feel like a studio album, but a recording from the back of a dimly-lit, smoke-filled bar; most of the audience has left, so the guys are playing what they feel like playing, and that's old rhythms, fresh solos, fun lyrics and lots of moody flavor.\nBobo kicks off with a rockabilly beat in Bo Diddley's "Road Runner" and hits a jumpin' piano jive with the second song, Fisher and Hopkins' "Shame, Shame, Shame." It isn't til track three, Aerosmith's version of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Eyesight to the Blind," that the album slows down into a bluesy saunter. \nThe original track, "The Grind," is a slow piece with great lyrics like, "You're sweet talkin,' hip shakin' wobble, gonna blow a man away, kiss butt and guess what, even double-crossing dogs have their day." \nAnother love-ballad-esque track, Shannon's "Never Loved a Girl," is slightly reminiscent of "Cryin,'" and is just as good, if not better. The blues have always been sensual, and now with Aerosmith's suggestive take on them, I think I've got a new album to make love to. \nThe album's last track, "Jesus is on the Main Line," is Aerosmith's haunting version of a spiritual with a slide guitar. Several vocalists, including band members Joey Kramer and Tom Hamilton, and even Tyler's daughter, Chelsea, bring the piece together.\nThe album's a throwback not only to the artists it honors, but to a song off the classic Toys in the Attic lbum, "Big Ten Inch Record." You're right Aerosmith, "She just loves my big ten-inch record of my favorite blues"