Today marks the 40th anniversary of American hard rock group Aerosmith‘s self-titled debut album Aerosmith. Although not a success when first released, Aerosmith later became a big hit, while the band has gone on to become a somewhat musical institution in the annals of rock, especially anchored by the success of the album’s rock and roll classic musical stalwart track “Dream On.”

After playing a gig at the famed Max’s Kansas City, the former New York City restaurant/hip nightclub which showcased a virtual who’s who of acts ranging from Lou Reed to Patti Smith and other early pre-punk bands, Aerosmith caught the ear of Columbia Records’ czar Clive Davis, who signed the band to a record deal. Originally hailing from Boston, and kind of a cross between The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and even a little Yardbirds and old Alice Cooper Band and other hard rock acts of that skein, Aerosmith was anchored and propelled by two major factors: the rusting, rock-by-numbers attack of Joe Perry, who played his guitar with a sure-footed and self-assured smirking style, and the band’s front man, Steven Tyler, the engorged-lipped, uninhibited long-haired and charismatic singer, who while in current times has let his indulgences and bizarre career turns (American Idol judge) almost leaving him in extreme self-parody, is anything but here on the band’s first album, and a few albums that followed during the 1970s.

As part of Amazon’s monthly $5 MP3 Album Deals, Aerosmith’s 1975 breakthrough rocker Toys in the Attic is on sale for only $5. (You can also purchase Toys in the Attic on CD for just $6.88.)

Released in April 1975 by Columbia Records, Toys in the Attic was the Boston band’s third album, and it would soon go on to become the biggest-selling album of their four decade recording career, unless you count their eleven-times-platinum Greatest Hits compilation from 1980. The record spawned two hit singles that would become the band’s most iconic tunes – “Walk This Way,” written by lead singer Steven Tyler and lead guitarist Joe Perry and inspired by a viewing of Mel Brooks’ comedy classic Young Frankenstein, and their whiskey-smooth paean to young lovin’ and hell raisin’ “Sweet Emotion,” penned by Tyler with bassist Tom Hamilton. In a way Toys is the definitive Aerosmith album: each song is a classic rock radio perennial and a brilliant demonstration of the band at the peak of their blues-rock fusion powers.

For a huge selection of high quality MP3 albums at low prices there’s no better place to shop online than at Amazon. Every month the website hosts a wide variety of downloadable album for only $5 at their MP3 Store. Each month, they have 100 titles available on sale, each of which will only set you back a single digital Abe Lincoln. Since individual MP3s tend to sell for 99 cents each at least you’re saving yourself a few bucks as well. Among the sweet deals Amazon is offering in November you’ll find titles from artists such as Lauren Hill, Bob Dylan, the Black Keys, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, John Coltrane, Temple of the Dog, The Band, and more.

I decided to turn the spotlight on a title from a band I once held in the highest regard, and that’s Aerosmith‘s 1994 greatest hits compilation Big Ones.