Aerosmith signed with Columbia early in the '90s, before their contract with Geffen expired and while they were riding high on the success of
Permanent Vacation and
Pump. Part of the negotiations ensured that the band would deliver one more studio album (
Get a Grip) and a hits album (
Big Ones) for Geffen; they could then release a studio album for Columbia (Nine Lives), and then, to complete their Geffen obligations, they'd assemble a live album. Culled from tapes recorded during the
Get a Grip and Nine Lives tours, the double-disc
A Little South of Sanity is that live album. Considering its origins, the record couldn't help but feel a little like the contractual obligation it is, but it's to
Aerosmith's credit that it doesn't sound tired. Not that it sounds vital --
Steven Tyler's adolescent shtick is sounding particularly embarrassing as he approaches his fiftieth birthday, and newer material like "Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)," or even the hit "Amazing," pales in comparison to their '70s and late-'80s classics. Nevertheless,
Aerosmith have developed into world-class showmen, which is why
A Little South of Sanity will be an entertaining romp for longtime fans: they're likely not to be disappointed by the slickness, in both performance and sound, that runs rampant over the record, nor will they be dismayed by the predictable song selection, because that's all part of the show. More discriminating listeners will likely cite these two criticisms as proof that
Aerosmith is past their prime, and they may well be right. But
A Little South of Sanity isn't for them, it's for the fans, and they'll likely enjoy the spectacle, even if it never rocks as hard as the group's previous live albums. Or most of their studio albums, for that matter. [
Little South of Sanity was issued in a "clean" version with all profanity removed.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine