Just Push Play

03/08/2001 8:00 PM, LAUNCH
Jon Wiederhorn

First let's face facts. Aerosmith may still rock out onstage and at Super Bowl halftime shows, but this current incarnation of middle-aged Beantown bandits isn't exactly the same outfit that, in a state of severe inebriation, dampened panties and set the skies ablaze in the '70s with hits like "Sweet Emotion," "Walk This Way" and "Dream On."

That being the case, the band can still shake and kick serious booty. It may no longer have the inspiration to concoct its own tunes from scratch, instead relying on songwriters Mark Hudson and Marti Frederiksen to stoke its fire, but Aersomith hasn't lost the passion or hunger that's been the key to its longevity. And Just Push Play is the band's most energetic record since 1993's Get A Grip. Instead of reaching straight for the heartstrings (and pocketbooks) as it did with the ballads "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing," "Cryin'" and "Crazy," Aerosmith aims for the groin.

The first single "Jaded" offers a staggered beat, swirling guitars, and lusty, infectious vocals. "Beyond Beautiful" throbs with a luscious blues-funk swagger and a radio-ready chorus. And "Just Push Play" provides a "Sweet Emotion" for the hip-hop generation, incorporating near-rap vocals, turntable scratching, jaunty piano, and an obligatory tribute line to "Walk This Way."

Of course there are still weepy, string-infested tunes like "Fly Away From Here and "Luv Lies," but even these don't seem like they were written by numbers. Perhaps best of all, throughout Just Push Play, Aerosmith sounds like it's on the prowl. Joe Perry's Jimmy Page-on-Viagra guitar rhythms chomp down and don't let go, and vocalist Steve Tyler consistently delivers the sleaze, especially when squealing risque lines like "She gave you a flower, the one that God gave her/ U all up in de Kool-Aid, but u do not know de flavor" ("Just Push Play").

Just Push Play's raunch 'n' roll might be enough to discourage Britney Spears and 'N Sync from ever working with Aerosmith again, and that's the highest praise of all.