Search - Cheap Trick :: Rockford

No Cheap Trick Here!

Barry | 01/25/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cheap Trick has been an interesting band. Mid to late 70's heroes of music that fused rock and roll, pop, and punk. Mid to late 80s MTV stars that went more commercial with hits like "The Flame". Ever since then, they have been releasing albums that range from more MTV-type commercial stuff to trying to regain the roots sound of their early work. In the last few years, Cheap Trick have come back better than ever, releasing two albums, starting with this one, that have been among some of their best recorded work, and their best since their 70s heyday. Their newest CD, "The Latest", I got first, as this one was nowhere to be found. I had to order it. Released in 2006, "Rockford", named after their Illinois home town, was hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the top 10 best rock albums of the year. It was great seeing the band get the attention they deserve critically. And what a fine piece of work it is!.



The album starts off with "Welcome To The World". This is a short and rousing 2 minute opener that starts things off on the right note. It's a simple, straight forward song, one that wouldn't be out of place opening one of their shows, if they feel like retiring "Hello There" for some concerts. It's a classic sounding song that, when I first heard a snippet, I thought it wasn't new. It must of been an older song re-recorded because I could of sworn I had heard it before. I love it. We then immediatley rock into "Perfect Stranger", a song Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander co-wrote with Linda Perry, rock singer and songwriter, who also penned Pink's "Get This Party Started". It's a catchy pop/rock ditty that shows the band in fine form. "If It Takes A Lifetime" is a power pop/rock type of love song that sounds like it belongs on the radio. This immediatley flows into "Come On Come On Come On", not to be confused with their late 70s song "Come On Come On". This one is a raging guitar burner with Zander singing 'Come on, come on, little baby!!". It's a great rock song. Things slow down a bit for "O Claire", not to be confused by another CT song, "Oh Claire", which was featured at the end of the "Heaven Tonight" CD. It's a gorgrous Beatles-esque/Lennon-ish song with classic sounding choruses that would of done Lennon proud. A gorgeous song. "This Time You Got It", while not as classic as the opening five songs, is a fun song nonetheless. It has a catchy guitar driven beat to it. "Give It Away" is a straight forward rock song that Nielsen could do in his sleep. This sounds like a classic song that could of come out of the 70s. One of my favorite songs on the disc is "One More". Not quite sure how to describe it. A funky, poppy, rock/disco hybrid that is as catchy as heck. Another nod to Roy Wood, perhaps?. Track 9 is "Every Day And Every Night", a pleasant enough pop ditty, but mostly filler to me. Then comes "Dream The Night Away", a 70s/80s pop/rock song with a nice, sing along chorus. "All Those Years" is a nicely crafted piece of pop with a wonderful Zander vocal. The CD ends with "Decaf", a rousing, but less than memorable closer.



In a recent interview, Rick Nielsen has said that every CD is a band effort nowadays, what with Nielsen being the primary songwriter back in the day, with the others chipping in here and there. It seems to work because these last two CDs have had a nice helping of different sounds and harmonies with everyone bringing something to the table. "Rockford" is a tightly produced package that lets the guys rip when need be, and lets them be slightly more mellow. It's a great mix that flows perfectly together and never seems to be out of focus with whatever else is going on on the CD. The band members are all playing and singing as brilliantly as ever, maybe even more so. There has been a feeling of rejuvenation on these last two CDs and it comes thru loud and clear on the songs. Rick Nielsen is a songwriting/guitar god to me and his playing is still top notch. Tom Petersson on bass is just sick. Bun E. Carlos still pounds those drums like a force to be reckoned with. And then there is Robin Zander. Often cited as one of rock's finest voices ever, and is still so criminally underrated, he has been doing some of his finest work ever here lately. To be able to go from hollering, sneering, touch rock star on some tracks, and do an immediate turn around on the next singing a lovely harmony, it's almost like two different people. It's amazing. Nielsen also stated that someone who can do what Zander does is rare. I would have to agree.



"Rockford" is a wonderfully catchy, rocking, jaunty, and overall satisfying CD that should not only put a smile on the faces of Cheap Trick fans everywhere, but on the faces of any rock fan looking for good, quality stuff. I have only been really getting into and discovering Cheap Trick since October, so I am hardly a long time trickster, but they have become, in this short of time, one of my top 2 favorite bands of all time."