Thanks to Ash Geisler for this CD!  It is a welcome addition to my collection!

AEROSMITH – “F.I.N.E.” (AOR Mix) (1989 Geffen Promo PRO-CD-3806)

“AOR” equals “Album Oriented Rock”, a radio format established in the 1960s that essentially means “classic rock” by today’s standards.  Therefore, this Aerosmith single would be a remix aimed specifically at those kinds of radio stations.  Frequently and historically, many of these remixes are barely different at all from the album version.  Additionally, “F.I.N.E.” from 1989’s Pump album was not really considered a single.  It wasn’t available to buy commercially, and it wasn’t made into a music video.  It was a radio single only.  At 4:08, this track is not edited.

“F.I.N.E.”, which was track 2 on the album, is considered one of Aerosmith finer rock moments from the Geffen years.  It was always focused on a biting heavy Aero groove, a melodic Tyler vocal, and that irresistible chorus of “It’s aaaaaaaalright!”  This remix is hardly different at all.  If anything, the bass might be coming through more clearly.

If you have a look at the waveform file below, you can see there isn’t much difference, though some are visible.  The AOR mix is at top, the original 1989 CD file at bottom.

I don’t feel there’s any point in rating a promo CD single like on a scale of 5, because what’s the point?  This CD is valuable as a collectible to fans and hoarders alike.  It has an exclusive remix, and whether you can hear a difference isn’t the point to a collector.   Sometimes obscure AOR mixes get reissued on greatest hits or box sets, but to date, this one has not.

“Joe Perry says I’m aaaaallright!”

Thanks again to Ash from Australia for sending me this CD which I shall file with my Pump collection!