Bands – Page 2 – Mr. Music

Album Review: Rock in a Hard Place by Aerosmith

Released on August 1, 1982, Rock in a Hard Place marks a pivotal yet precarious chapter in Aerosmith‘s storied career. As the band’s seventh studio album, it arrived amid chaos: lead guitarist Joe Perry had departed in 1979 following onstage tensions, and rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford followed suit during recording.

Replacements Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay stepped in, with Crespo handling most guitar duties under producer Jack Douglas. Frontman Steven Tyler, grappling with severe drug addiction, struggled through sessions that ballooned to a $1.5 million cost. This backdrop of instability permeates the album, making it Aerosmith‘s only release without their classic lineup.

Musically, the record blends hard rock grit with experimental flourishes. Opener “Jailbait” kicks off with frantic energy, recalling the raw punch of Toys in the Attic, driven by Crespo’s edgy riffs and Tyler’s snarling vocals.

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It’s Bandcamp Friday (8/1/25)

On select Fridays throughout the year, Bandcamp waives its share of sales for 24 hours, giving fans an opportunity to support the artist they love more directly.

Here are some of my recommendations:

<a href="https://vaureen.bandcamp.com/album/leveler">Leveler by Vaureen</a>

<a href="https://faetooth.bandcamp.com/track/hole">Hole by Faetooth</a>

<a href="https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/album/of-rot-and-rebirth">Of Rot and Rebirth by Tylo</a>

<a href="https://hailyourhighness.bandcamp.com/track/treegaze">Treegaze by Hail Your Highness</a>

<a href="https://melvinsofficial.bandcamp.com/album/colossus-of-destiny">Colossus Of Destiny by Melvins</a>

The Boys of Summer

You know the Don Henley classic, “The Boys of Summer?”

Of course you do. It’s a great song.

Well, it’s recently been covered by an up and coming metalcore band. It’s unoriginal and predictable right up to the breakdown, and I cannot stand it.

I’m not mentioning the band name. If you wish to have your senses tortured, you can look it up yourself.

NPR’s Wet Leg Tiny Desk Concert

According to NPR, they’ve been chasing a Wet Leg Tiny Desk Concert ever since the Isle of Wight band floored them with the 2021 single “Chaise Longue,” a song that, like much of the group’s work, is as understated and droll as it is frenetic and infectious.

So, when they finally got Wet Leg into the office to record this performance, they weren’t surprised by the amount of playful swagger the band brought, or by how carefully calibrated the set was. But fans might be surprised by how much Wet Leg leans into that more understated side. You won’t hear “Chaise Longue” or “Catch These Fists,” the ripping first single from their new album moisturizer. Instead, singer Rhian Teasdale and the rest of the band chose to spotlight the album’s core themes: the joy of being in love in a state of bliss.

Read our review of moisturizer here.

King Ultramega

We recently learned about a passion-driven musical project honoring the life, voice, and genius of Chris Cornell (ex-Soundgarden). It’s called King Ultramega.

This endeavor is the brainchild of producer and bassist Mark Menghi.

Menghi says of the project:

It started in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, when Menghi recorded a version of ‘Rusty Cage’ with friends. What began as a creative release soon became something larger. With every step forward, the project deepened in meaning and purpose. ‘”I kept crossing the mental roadblock of ‘you are entering uncharted waters, are you sure you wanna do this?'” Menghi reflects. “Chris is one of those dudes if you cover, you better do it justice.”

The list of collaborators is pretty impressive. Kim Thayil (ex-Soundgarden), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Joe Satriani, William DuVall (Alice in Chains), Bill Kelliher (Mastodon), Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp) among others.