JOIN USSteven Tyler is synonymous with the rock band Aerosmith, so his first-ever solo album, We’re All Somebody From Somewhere, comes as a surprise. Interestingly, this one seems like an album of country songs, where Tyler has to strive to be a natural, lowering his stature as an iconic American voice.
The album begins with the lyrically cheeky five-minute track ‘My Own Worst Enemy’, where Tyler expresses his self-doubt. He tries to cram everything in the title track: red wine and cheap brown whiskey, Seattle coffee, Memphis blues, Miami cruise, New York, Hollywood, New Orleans.
‘Hold On (Won’t Let Go)’ is a blues-tinged performance on the wailing harp. ‘It Ain’t Easy’ is closer to the country genre, with the mandolin, fiddle, and steel guitar. ‘Love Is Your Name’, written by Lindsey Lee and Eric Paslay, is reminiscent of Mumford & Sons and Everly Brothers, and has an upbeat chorus. The song begins with an autoharp and also features fiddle and banjo. ‘Janie’s Got a Gun’ is a milder “country” rendition of Aeorsmith’s 1989 hit track ‘Janie’s Got a Gun.’ Hardcore Aerosmith fans may not approve this version.
‘I Make My Own Sunshine’ is a girly number, which is quite uncharacteristic of Tyler. ‘Only Heaven’ begins as a soft ballad but progresses into a power-packed tune with a screaming guitar. ‘Piece of My Heart’ (with The Loving Mary Band), which is a cover of Janis Joplin’s ‘Piece Of My Heart’, isn’t half bad either. Having said that, 16 songs may be a bit too long for an experimental album of this kind.