Although it was released half a century ago, Toys in the Attic could have been recorded yesterday. After gaining momentum with their first two records, Aerosmith’s third studio album shot them up another level on the rock and roll ladder when it was released on April 8th, 1975.

From Steven Tyler’s wailing screams, the ripping guitar solos, producer Jack Douglas’s fine work, the mixture of R&B/jazz/blues/hard rock, Toys in the Attic is what one might call the “epitome of cool.” With the title track, Sweet Emotion, Walk This Way, and Big Ten Inch Record, there are no filler songs on this record as every track is pure gold.

Toys in the Attic would go on to be Aerosmith’s most commercially successful album with 9 million copies sold and for good reason. The album represents the pivotal moment that the band became polished and created sophisticated, yet still head-bangin’, boisterous rock and roll music. Happy 50th birthday Toys in the Attic!