Done with Mirrors

Done with Mirrors is an ambitious comeback work on which, with the return of the departed Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, Aerosmith turned back to guitar-centered rock and roll. It is a memorable record on which the original members regathered after a long time. Rather than flashy sonic processing, it powerfully foregrounds Steven Tyler’s vocal sway and the raw feel of the twin guitars colliding fiercely. A record conscious of a return to origins. From the powerful opener “Let the Music Do the Talking” and the aggression of “My Fist Your Face” to a cut like “Shela,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Gypsy Boots” and the shaded “Darkness” convey the work’s fullness. Joe Perry’s rough guitar is powerfully in sharp form throughout. A record that vividly reflects the process of the band gradually regaining its own breath, rather than a complete declaration of revival. And that very rawness is the work’s sure value. An engaging record that inscribed an important first step leading to the next golden age — a record where the band’s comeback shines.