News

Aerosmith / Self-titled debut reissued

Overpriced and overblown

By Jamie Atkins

Comments

51

Aerosmith have announced a series of ‘Legendary’ editions of their self-titled 1973 debut album to belatedly celebrate its 50th anniversary. 

On its January 1973 release, Aerosmith’s debut was given a lukewarm reception, not helped by their record label Columbia focusing their efforts on another of their acts releasing a debut album – a certain Bruce Springsteen. Aerosmith reacted by touring as if their lives depended on it. On the road, they found their audience and when an edited version of the power ballad ‘Dream On’ was released as a single in late 1975, it became a hit, eventually peaking at No 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Aerosmith has been reissued plenty of times over the years, but these new sets will mark the first time the album has been released as an expanded edition. 

The audio content is essentially the same over the three expanded editions – the original album twice (as a remaster and a ‘2024 remix’); a live show recorded at Paul’s Mall, Boston, in March 1973; and – perhaps the real draw for fans – six recently discovered alternate takes from the album sessions. 

The 4LP+12″ Legendary Collectors Edition (click to enlarge)

The premium 4LP + 12” version (underhandedly called a 5LP set) features clear/red vinyl for LPs 1 & 2 and comes with some dubious paraphernalia – including an intricate 3D Aerosmith pop-up ‘diorama’. It has a retail price of – wait for it – £240 in the UK (D2C-only), while the 4LP set, which jettisons all the ‘tat’ (and the 12-inch) still comes in at around £130. Incidentally, that 12-inch single features just two tracks: the remaster and remix of ‘Dream On’ which are on LP 1 and LP 2 respectively, anyway. All of the audio included on the bells ’n’ whistles version is on the 3CD set, which it has to be said doesn’t look particularly ‘deluxe’ and is still over £30.

Here’s how the expanded editions break down:

  • Legendary Collector’s Edition: 4LP + 12″ + hardcover book, poster, sticker sheets, slipmat, diorama
  • Legendary Deluxe Edition: 4LP + book (seemingly a softcover version of the hardcover)
  • Legendary Expanded Edition: 3CD in eight-panel card sleeve with booklet

The album will also be reissued as a single CD and single LP (available on either black or translucent red vinyl) featuring the 2024 mix.

Aerosmith (Legendary Edition) is out 20 March 2026 via Capitol/UME

Legendary Deluxe 4LP set (click to enlarge)
3CD edition (click to enlarge)

Tracklisting

Aerosmith Aerosmith /

    • LP 1: Aerosmith (2024 Remaster)
      Side 1
      1. Make It
      2. Somebody
      3. Dream On
      4. One Way Street
      Side 2
      1. Mama Kin
      2. Write Me A Letter
      3. Movin’ Out
      4. Walkin’ The Dog
    • LP 2: Aerosmith (2024 Mix)
      Side 1
      1. Make It
      2. Somebody
      3. Dream On
      4. One Way Street
      Side 2
      1. Mama Kin
      2. Write Me A Letter
      3. Movin’ Out
      4. Walkin’ The Dog
    • LP 3: Paul’s Mall Live Performance, 20 March 1973
      Side 1
      1. Introduction
      2. Make It
      3. One Way Street
      4. Somebody
      Side 2
      1. Write Me A Letter
      2. I Ain’t Got You
      3. Mother Popcorn
      4. Movin’ Out
    • LP 4: Paul’s Mall Live Performance, 20 March 1973 (Continued plus Bonus Tracks)
      Side 1
      1. Walkin’ The Dog
      2. Train Kept A Rollin’
      3. Mama Kin
      Side 2 – Bonus Tracks
      1. Train Kept A Rollin’ (Session Take)
      2. Make It (Rehearsal Take)
      3. Make It (Alternate Take)
      4. Write Me A Letter (Alternate Take)
      5. Harmonica Bass Jam Jelly (Session Take)
      6. Joined At The Hip (Aerojam)
    • 12″ Single: Dream On “Clouds” Disc (45 RPM)
      Side 1
      1. Dream On (2024 Remaster)
      2. Dream On (2024 Mix)
      Side 2
      1. “UV Printed Cloudscape” [i.e. no music]

SuperDeluxeEdition.com helps fans around the world discover physical music and discuss releases. To keep the site free, SDE participates in various affiliate programs, including Amazon and earns from qualifying purchases.

Related Content

51 Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
51 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments