"We only just warmed up," Aerosmith's Steven Tyler told an adoring crowd last night ten songs into his band's show at the Molson Amphitheatre.

 

Tyler could have been talking about his band's 27-year career.

 

Aerosmith have journeyed from top of the rock heap to down-and-out and back again, sure.

 

But if last night was any indication, the group still isn't satisfied.

 

So, despite a stage backdrop that featured a faux-South Asian motif that would have better suited a new age band than a quintet of aging but agile rockers, Aerosmith were bent on rocking the sold-out crowd of 16,000.

 

These guys are nothing if not consummate showmen.

 

The spectacle reached an almost comical extreme late in the show during Sweet Emotion as three giant inflatable king cobras rose behind drummer Joey Kramer's revolving drum riser.

 

As he took the brightly lit stage behind white curtains -- which created a striking effect -- the flamboyantly-robed Tyler's silhouette was unmistakable.

 

Still, at 49, he's able to spit into the air, swat it with his mike stand, and not look like anything other than a true rocker.

 

From the opening chords of Nine Lives, the title track off their latest album, to classic encore closer Walk This Way, Aerosmith kept the rock balladry of recent years to a dull roar.

 

Instead, they relied on raw versions of new tunes and old favorites to fire their arsenal.

 

On their side was the fact that -- barring a keyboard player/back-up singer on board to flesh out the sound -- this was the original lineup of Tyler, Kramer, lead guitarist Joe Perry, guitarist Brad Whitford and bassist Tom Hamilton.

 

Even when the material got weak -- and it did -- the show seemed to sail on persona.

 

For good songs -- Nine Lives, Sweet Emotion, Toys In The Attic -- and bad -- Living On The Edge, Falling In Love Is Hard On The Knees, Dude Looks Like A Lady -- Perry's adherence to taste and style was constant. His solos were never gratuitous, always serving the song in the best way possible.

 

Tyler, on the other hand, made a completely over-the-top ringmaster. He also blew some fierce harmonica on the Yardbirds-style barnburner Something's Gotta Give.

 

Together, the two struck a nice balance.

 

Unfortunately, Tyler's efforts were lost in the shuffle at times.

 

Thanks to fizzled sound, "Ummagumma awright brrattle ummer Torahna ow!" was about all one could make out from the frequent between-song banter.

 

Regardless, the band cast a spell on the audience and had it on its feet throughout.

 

With their best songs undoubtedly behind them, Aerosmith are still at the top of their live game.

 

SUN RATING 4 OUT OF 5