The title of Aerosmith 's Done With Mirrors alluded to magic tricks and cocaine. While the reunion of the band's classic lineup certainly did feel miraculous, the latter reference was proof that old habits died hard with Aerosmith — and it helps explain why Done With Mirrors failed to pull them out of their yearslong tailspin.

The first half of the '80s was not kind to the Boston rockers. After conquering the previous decade with their signature brand of sleazy, monolithic hard rock, Aerosmith was torn apart by a cocktail of drugs, infighting and dwindling commercial fortunes. Guitarist Joe Perry quit in 1979 and guitarist Brad Whitford followed suit in 1981, leaving Aerosmith — to paraphrase the title of their 1982 album — caught between a rock and a hard place.

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