March 12, 2025 | Awake & Dreaming

Toys in the Attic is the third studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released on April 8, 1975, by Columbia Records. Its first single, Sweet Emotion, was released on May 19 and the original version of Walk This Way followed on August 28 in the same year. The album is the band’s most commercially successful studio LP in the United States, with nine million copies sold, according to the RIAA. In 2003, the album was ranked No. 228 on Rolling Stone‘s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Toys in the Attic is the first song and title track off the album, written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. “Toys in the attic” is an idiom that means something is old, forgotten, or a relic of the past, often referring to childhood memories or experiences, as an attic is a place where people store unused items, and “toys” represent things from childhood that are no longer actively used. Compared to the fast paced opener, Uncle Salty is more slowed down & tells the story of a woman who leads a lonely life of child abuse and eventually prostitution. Adam’s Apple utilizes a clever double entendre regarding the Biblical story of Adam and Eve and the much more everyday act of fellatio.

Similarly, Walk This Way released as the second single from the album and is oozing with sexual innuendo. The lyrics, which tell the story of a high school boy losing his virginity, are sung quite fast by Tyler, with heavy emphasis being placed on the rhyming lyrics. It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977, part of a string of successful hit singles for the band in the 1970s. Big Ten Inch Record, is a rhythm and blues song written by Fred Weismantel. It was first recorded in 1952 by Bull Moose Jackson and released by King Records, originally on 10″ vinyl, the most popular format at the time. The next sing is Sweet Emotion which was released as a single on May 19, 1975 and peaked at No. 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

No More No More seems to be about the trappings of the rock n roll lifestyle and trying to stay away from the pitfalls. It is a fun song and probably one of their best musically. Round And Round is my least favourite song on the record. You See Me Crying ends the album is a power ballad with piano and was heavily orchestrated. Brad Whitford played lead guitar on the song, rather than Aerosmith’s usual lead guitarist Joe Perry. The album would gain renewed attention in 1986, 11 years after its release, when hip-hop group Run-DMC covered “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith. This helped revive the latter’s flagging career and helped propel rap rock to the mainstream.

Vietnamese iced coffee is a traditional Vietnamese coffee recipe. It is created using coffee roasted between medium and dark. The drink is made by passing hot water through the grounds into a cup that already contains condensed milk. To serve the drink cold, ice is added to the cup. A popular variation is cà phê s?a ?á (or nâu ?á in the North), which is iced coffee served with sweetened condensed milk. This is done by putting two to three teaspoons or more of condensed milk into the cup prior to the drip filter process. There are variations of the coffee including a black, egg coffee etc.

Here’s a deeper dive into the world of Vietnamese coffee:

Key Characteristics:

Strong and Bold Flavor:

Vietnamese coffee is renowned for its intense flavor profile, which comes from the use of robusta beans, known for their high caffeine content.
Condensed Milk is Key:

Unlike traditional coffee with fresh milk, Vietnamese coffee uses sweetened condensed milk, which balances the strong bitterness of the robusta beans, creating a rich, sweet, and creamy experience.
Traditional Brewing Method (Phin):

While modern coffee makers are available, Vietnamese coffee is traditionally brewed using a “phin” filter, a small metal drip filter that sits on top of a mug and creates a slow-drip brewing process.
Culturally Important:

Vietnamese coffee is deeply ingrained in the culture, serving as more than just a beverage; it’s a social activity and a common way to connect with friends and family.
Ice is Standard:

Vietnamese coffee is often enjoyed iced, making it a refreshing and popular choice, especially in the hot and humid climate of Vietnam.
Robusta Dominates:

Vietnam is the world’s largest producer of robusta coffee beans, and these beans are the backbone of the Vietnamese coffee industry.

Why is it so strong?

The high caffeine content of robusta beans contributes to the strong flavor profile.
The traditional slow-drip brewing process with the phin filter allows the coffee to fully develop and extract its flavors.
The addition of condensed milk, while sweetening the drink, also enhances the intensity of the coffee’s flavor.