Pandora's Box is a compilation album, released on November 19, 1991 by Aerosmith. Issued by Columbia Records to capitalise on the band's newfound success with Geffen, the box set consists of three discs that cover Aerosmith's output from the 1970s and early 1980s. Alongside alternate versions, previously unreleased songs, live renditions and remixes, Pandora's Box features previously released studio material. The original issue was as a long cardboard-box, containing three CDs and booklet that detailed the tracks and had comments from the band members. Later issues did away with the outer box, utilising a cardboard slipcase, but reproduced the booklet in 'CD-size'. The cover version of "Helter Skelter" is Aerosmith's third commercially released Beatles cover, despite being the first they recorded.
"Kings and Queens" - Recorded live on tour in Boston, Massachusetts, 3/28/78
"Krawitham" - Recorded at the Cenacle, Armonk, New York, 5/2/77
"Last Child" - Recorded at the Wherehouse, Waltham, Mass. & Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, Feb-March, 1976
"Let It Slide" - Recorded at Media Sound, New York City, New York, March, 1979
"Lick and a Promise" - Recorded at the Wherehouse, Waltham, Massachusetts & Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, Feb-March, 1976
"Lord of the Thighs" - Recorded on tour at the Cottonbowl, Dallas, Texas, 7/4/78
"Major Barbara" - Recorded at Power Station, New York City, New York, May 20, 1971
"Make It" - Recorded at Intermedia Studios, Boston, Massachusetts, 1972
"Mama Kin" - Recorded at Intermedia Studios, Boston, Massachusetts, 1972
"Milkcow Blues" - Recorded at the Cenacle, Armonk, New York, & Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, June-Oct., 1977
"Movin' Out" - Recorded at Intermedia Studios, Boston, Massachusetts, 1972
"Nobody's Fault" - Recorded at the Wherehouse, Waltham, Massachusetts & Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, Feb-March, 1976
"No More No More" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, February, 1975
"No Surprize" - Recorded at Media Sound and Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, May-Aug., 1979
"One Way Street" - Recorded at Intermedia Studios, Boston, Massachusetts, 1972
"On the Road Again" - Recorded at Intermedia Sound, 5/8/72
"Pandora's Box" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, between 12/17/73 and 1/14/74
"Rats in the Cellar" - Recorded at the Wherehouse, Waltham, Mass. & Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, Feb-March, 1976
"Rattlesnake Shake" - Recorded at Counterpart Studios, Cincinnati, September 26, 1973
"Riff & Roll" - Recorded at Power Station, New York City, New York, 9/16/81
"Round and Round" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, February, 1975
"Same Old Song and Dance" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, between 12/17/73 and 1/14/74
"Seasons of Wither" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, between 12/17/73 and 1/14/74
"Sharpshooter" - Recorded at Axis Studios, Atlanta, Georgia, 1980–81
"Shit House Shuffle" - Recorded at Media Sound, New York City, New York, 5/30/79
"Soul Saver" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, February, 1975
"South Station Blues" - Recorded at Boston Opera House and Wherehouse, Waltham, Massachusetts, 1981
"Sweet Emotion" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, February, 1975
"Three Mile Smile" - Recorded at Media Sound and Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, 7/10/79
"Toys in the Attic" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, February, 1975
"Train Kept A-Rollin'" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, between 12/17/73 and 1/14/74
"Walkin' the Dog" - Recorded at Counterpart studios, Cincinnati, September 26, 1973
"Walk This Way" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, February, 1975
"When I Needed You" - Recorded at CBS Studios, New York City, New York, 10/5/66
"Write Me a Letter" - Recorded on tour in Boston, Massachusetts, November 1976
"You See Me Crying" - Recorded at Record Plant Studios, New York City, New York, February, 1975
Reception
"Pandora's Box has 31 previously released songs and 21 live cuts, alternate takes and rarities," noted Mat Snow in Q. "Will this latter stuff be made separately available for the fan doesn't fancy shelling out for tracks already owned? Probably not… Despite high times aplenty, Pandora's Box is a career overview which offers a patchy, expensive introduction to the newcomer, and falls irritatingly between the stools of rarities collection and definitive compilation."
