Permanent Vacation

Permanent Vacation is a monumental work on which Aerosmith, by no means letting go of its blues sense from the 1970s, vividly connected to the late-1980s radio/MTV era. Boldly using outside songwriters, it is a record announcing the complete revival that returned the band to worldwide stardom. Joe Perry’s guitar moves between thick riffs and fine coloring, and Steven Tyler’s singing freely switches between provocation and deep sorrow. From the opener “Heart’s Done Time” and the momentum of the all-too-famous signature “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” to the light groove of “Rag Doll,” every song is engaging, while the moving ballad “Angel” and a cut like “Magic Touch” convey the work’s fullness. In particular, “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Angel” recorded huge hits. A record that splendidly made refined pop and the sure feel of dangerous rock and roll coexist, largely opening the next long golden age. Its former earthiness and the era’s splendor fuse in a happy form. A powerful, engaging masterpiece symbolizing Aerosmith’s dramatic revival — a record where the band’s rebirth shines.