Aerosmith stinks up the joint with new video for "Legendary Child"

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      There was a lot of talk in the music press in the last year or so--most of it coming directly from the mouth of Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry--about how the band's next album was going to be a return to its early, no-frills rock sound. That the group was back with producer Jack Douglas--who helmed such rowdy '70s discs as Rocks and Draw the Line--and that it was going to get back to writing songs on its own, without resorting to bringing in fancy-ass hired guns like Desmond Child and Glen Ballard to lame things up.

      What a load of crap!

      Today the band released the video for its new single, "Legendary Child", a reworked version of a song originally penned in 1991 during the Get a Grip sessions. And guess what: it was cowritten by Jim Vallance, best known for cowriting pop hits with Bryan Adams. (Read Vallance's take on things here.)

      After all this hype about making a band-written album, why resurrect a 20-year-old song that exudes an overproduced, commercial stench? On their own, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry composed such killer tunes as "Toys in the Attic", "Draw the Line", and "Back in the Saddle". Is it too much to hope that they might somehow rekindle a bit of that magical vibe?

      Apparently so. Whether it's all Jim Vallance's fault or not, the new (old) song sucks the biggie. It's not the Aerosmith of yore that Perry has been alluding to, and all the rollerskating hotties in the world can't make it seem that way. See for yourself.

      But as much as I'm turned off by Aerosmith's latest, I'm not gonna totally give up on them; we go back way too far for that. Maybe the substandard "Legendary Child" isn't indicative of the rest of the band's upcoming album, Music From Another Dimension, which is set for release November 6. Hey, Van Halen's latest album was pretty wicked--apart from that crappy first single, "Tattoo". Don't get me started on their live show, though.

      Aerosmith, on the other hand, are still great in concert. At least they were when I saw them back in 2010. Hardcore fans take note of their Tacoma gig next month, with Cheap Trick opening up. I suppose there's a slim chance they won't play "Legendary Child". Keep your fingers crossed.

      You can follow Steve Newton for all his wacky rock 'n' roll reminiscing on Twitter at twitter.com/earofnewt.

      Comments

      11 Comments

      John Lucas

      Jul 10, 2012 at 9:23pm

      sd

      Steve Newton

      Jul 10, 2012 at 11:27pm

      I know it sucks dude--that's the whole point!

      Jim Vallance

      Jul 11, 2012 at 7:50am

      Ouch!

      FanBoy

      Jul 11, 2012 at 9:37am

      STAGGERINGLY BAD.

      Jim Vallance

      Jul 11, 2012 at 9:58am

      I'm not here to defend myself, but I would like to defend Joe Perry.

      When Joe said there were no co-writers he believed that to be true. "Legendary Child" was written so long ago (1991-92) that Steven and Joe had completely forgotten about my contribution. They considered it a Tyler-Perry song.

      I got an email from an Aerosmith fan a week before the song was released. That's how I heard about it. So I contacted Aerosmith's manager, Trudy Green. At first she didn't believe me and gave me a rough ride on the phone. I emailed her the "basement tape" of the song as proof ... me, Steven and Joe in my home studio, 20 years ago. That jogged some memories and everything got sorted out.

      All of this to say, Joe Perry may have a terrible memory, but he's not a liar.

      Steve Newton

      Jul 11, 2012 at 10:11am

      thanks for straightening that out, Jim. And also, thanks for cowriting Prism's "Open Soul Surgery"

      Steve Newton

      Jul 11, 2012 at 11:28am

      new information has come to light, man ow.ly/caJlQ

      Gonz

      Jul 12, 2012 at 7:52am

      most of the songs on the new album have been written by band memebers alone, and this havent happened is soooooooooooo many years... yes, some might have some outside wirtters, but i think they were only brought in at the end to finish the songs, take a look at the credits:
      1. What Could Have Been Love - Russ Irwin, Steven Tyler, Marti Frederiksen.
      2. Beautiful - Steven Tyler, Marti Frederiksen, Brad Whitford, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton.
      3. Street Jesus - Brad Whitford, Steven Tyler.
      4. Legendary Child - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Jim Vallance.
      5. Oh Yeah - (did not find this out)
      6. We All Fall Down - Diane Warren
      7. Another Last Goodbye - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Desmond Child.
      8. Out Go The Lights - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry.
      9. Love Three Times A Day - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry.
      10. Closer - Steven Tyler, Marti Frederiksen, Joey Kramer.
      11. Lover A Lot - Steven Tyler, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Jesse Kramer, Marti Fredericksen, Moir.
      12. Freedom Fighter - Joe Perry

      i respect your opinion on Legendary Child, but i think it rocks, its got alooooooot of guitars, great riffs, awesome solo, increidble rithm... just sayin.

      uknow

      Jul 12, 2012 at 2:10pm

      Who's the old woman singing?

      lone voice of dissent

      Jul 17, 2012 at 10:13pm

      I didn't mind that song... go figure. Thanks for writing Cuts Like a Knife, Jim.