Draw the Line

Substance abuse and reckless living in general was eating at Aerosmith from the inside, but outwardly they were still putting together a formidable attack. Released in December 1977, Draw the Line was the last pure studio album from the original line-up for the next decade. As expected, lead singer Steven Tyler rants and raves with his loose-lipped braggadocio in full-force. The title track comes out thundering with guitarist Joe Perry’s whiplash guitar runs and a dramatic build that climaxes with Tyler’s virtually indecipherable screaming monologue. “I Wanna Know Why” and Kokomo Arnold’s “Milk Cow Blues” underscore the band’s R&B roots, while “Get It Up,” “The Hand That Feeds” and “Sight for Sore Eyes” rattle with Aerosmith’s trademark rambunctious brattiness. “Kings and Queens” is a rare dramatic epic for the band, shifting towards Renaissance Faire styled progressive rock with its time-ticking piano notes and doom-laden bass runs, only turning to pure hard rock for its ominous guitar solo and thunderous conclusion. Guitarist Joe Perry takes the mic for his self-penned “Bright Light Fright,” perhaps testing the waters for the brief solo career he would soon embark on. At that moment, Aerosmith may have been struggling with their demons, but they weren’t letting it affect their attack.