Aerosmith – Gems (1988): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in May 1988, Gems is a compilation album by Aerosmith that showcases the band’s hardest-hitting and heaviest tracks from their 1970s catalog. Unlike greatest hits collections focusing on radio-friendly singles, Gems highlights Aerosmith’s raw hard rock energy, blues influence, and guitar-driven swagger, making it a favorite among rock enthusiasts and collectors.
Album Overview
Gems was designed to emphasize the edgier side of Aerosmith, pulling from albums like Toys in the Attic, Rocks, and Draw the Line. The compilation avoids the band’s more mainstream hits, instead focusing on deep cuts and heavier tracks that highlight Joe Perry and Brad Whitford’s aggressive guitar work, Steven Tyler’s charismatic vocals, and the band’s blues-rock roots.
This album captures the essence of classic Aerosmith hard rock while bridging the gap for new fans introduced to the band during their late 1980s comeback with Permanent Vacation.
Tracklist – Aerosmith: Gems (1988)
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Kings and Queens
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Nobody’s Fault
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Rats in the Cellar
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Critical Mass
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Lick and a Promise
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Sick as a Dog
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Toys in the Attic
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The Hand That Feeds
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Round and Round
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Get the Lead Out
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No Surprize
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Bone to Bone (Coney Island White Fish Boy)
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Home Tonight
Album Review
Gems serves as a power-packed retrospective of Aerosmith’s heaviest work from the 1970s. Opening with “Kings and Queens”, the compilation sets a regal and epic tone, highlighting the band’s lyrical ambition and dynamic arrangements. “Nobody’s Fault” is one of Aerosmith’s hardest-hitting tracks, showcasing Joe Perry’s explosive guitar riffs and a proto-metal intensity that influenced countless bands in the 1980s and beyond.
“Rats in the Cellar” and “Critical Mass” deliver fast-paced, chaotic rock energy, while tracks like “Toys in the Attic” and “Round and Round” capture the raw fun and bluesy attitude that defined the band’s early era. Closing with “Home Tonight”, Gems balances the hard rock fury with emotional depth, giving a rounded picture of Aerosmith’s versatility.
Overall, the album is less about mainstream hits and more about pure rock authenticity, making it essential listening for fans who want to experience the band’s gritty, unfiltered sound.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: Gems focuses on harder, deeper cuts rather than Aerosmith’s big radio hits, distinguishing it from greatest hits albums.
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• Trivia: Tracks like Nobody’s Fault and Critical Mass were influential for later hard rock and heavy metal bands.
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• Did You Know? The compilation was released between Permanent Vacation and Pump, serving as a bridge between the band’s classic era and their late-’80s resurgence.
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• Fun Fact: The album introduced newer fans of Aerosmith’s 1987 comeback to their heavier, 1970s roots.
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• Did You Know? Gems includes selections from Draw the Line, Night in the Ruts, and Rocks, highlighting the band’s rawest recordings.
Gems is a must-listen for hard rock fans who want to experience the edgier side of Aerosmith, blending thunderous guitar riffs, bluesy swagger, and classic 1970s rock energy. It perfectly complements their comeback-era albums by reminding listeners of the band’s original fire.
