Aerosmith finally digs itself back to the roots of rock ‘n’ roll on “Honkin’ On Bobo.”

The band most recently noted for its hand-clenching pop-rock power ballads now is playing the blues — at least for its newest album.

-“Honkin’ On Bobo” contains one original song and 11 covers of blues classics by the likes of Willie Dixon and Sonny Boy Williamson.

Lead singer Steven Tyler swaggers through these tunes with skill, with the rest of the band members playing in top form. The band’s energy shines through the music, and it’s refreshing to hear good music after the release of such disastrously uninspired songs as “Girls of Summer.”

Of course, Aerosmith didn’t write the covers, but the band makes sure to mix it up and update them. For example, “Never Loved A Girl” originally was “Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You).”

Tracy Bonham provides welcome female vocals on both “Back Back Train” and “Jesus Is On the Mainline,” and guitarist Joe Perry’s meaty baritone takes over lead vocals on two songs.

It’s telling that the worst song on the album is the Aerosmith original “The Grind,” which sounds like another retread of the studio power ballad schtick, with just the slightest bit of a bluesy edge.

The biggest problem with “Honkin’ On Bobo” may be its overly slick production, which contrasts with the gritty nature of blues music. Aerosmith hasn’t completely lost its modern identity, and a little bit of glitter glams up the originally raw songs.

With “Honkin’ On Bobo,” Aerosmith has taken the sound that influenced it and made it its own.