Steven Tyler – We’re All Somebody From Somewhere

Even before the release of Aerosmith’s 2012 album, ‘Music From Another Dimension’ which featured guest vocals from country superstar Carrie Underwood, there were rumors of Steven Tyler branching out of the Aerosmith musical juggernaut, since then there have been several well choreographed clues as to which direction the new music would take, including a duet with Brad Paisley at the 2014 CMA Country Christmas Concert and in 2015 a guest appearance on the hit TV series Nashville. Fast forward 12 months and we finally have ‘We’re All Somebody From Somewhere’ released on the Big Machine label on July 15th.

Surprisingly the album kicks off with a low key acoustic track, ‘My Own Worst Enemy’, which along with ‘Hold On (Won’t Let Go)’ and the reworking of the Aerosmith classic ‘Janie’s Got A Gun’ have a dark and slightly menacing feel to them. Whereas the title track ‘We’re All Somebody From Somewhere’ lightens proceedings as a good ol’ barroom bluesy foot stomper.

Although there are banjos, ukuleles and other more traditional instruments used throughout the album (including the slightly de-tuned saloon type piano on the opening track) Tyler and the producers for the most part have avoided a lot of the traditional country clichés, at least in regards to the musical style, even the obligatory country twang & slide guitar is scattered sparingly throughout the 15 tracks.

It could never be said that Steven Tyler has ever shied from a good ballad and ‘It Ain’t Easy’ and ‘What Am I Doin’ Right’ do that here for good measure, however the more radio friendly songs like ‘Love Is Your Name’ & ‘Red, White and You’, as good fun as they are, sound almost like he is trying a little bit too hard fit in with his new pals in Nashville.

While this album has little of the raucousness of a full-on Aerosmith album, Tyler’s vocals are as impressive as ever, and in going back to what he has cited as his musical roots, he has managed to present something that is modern and quite refreshing, but at the same time very distinctively Steven Tyler.

Track List:
1. My Own Worst  Enemy
2. We’re All Somebody From Somewhere
3. Hold On (Won’t Let Go)
4. It Ain’t Easy
5. Love Is Your Name
6. I Make My Own Sunshine
7. Gypsy Girl
8. Somebody New
9. Only Heaven
10. The Good ,The Bad, The Ugly & Me
11. Red, White & You
12. Sweet Louisiana
13. What Am I Doin’ Right
14. Janie’s Got A Gun
15. Piece Of My Heart (feat. The Loving Mary Band).

Website: steventyler.com
Facebook: facebook.com/steventyler
Twitter: twitter.com/IamStevenT