Joe Perry
For his first solo album in over 20 years,Aerosmithguitarist Joe Perry isn't exactly tearing up the blueprint. He may not haveDiane Warrenfaxing over the power-ballads but this eponymous release is pretty much what you would expect from the man who has provided the sleazy, powerhouse riffs for everything from "Walk This Way" to "Dude Looks Like A Lady." He's no Steven Tyler but Perry holds his own on the vocal tracks here, including respectful covers of theDoors'"Crystal Ship" andWoody Guthrie's"Vigilante Man." But it's the bluesy instrumental material like "Twilight" and "Mercy" that shows the guitar hero (who also plays bass, keyboards and co-produces) at his amplifier blowing best.--Aidin Vaziri