home | reviews | obsessionland | misc | it was live | smirt | response  
 
 
Cheap Trick
Red Ant records, released: 1997
What eats the state of Pop music at this point? Musical styles come and go, Pop music, however, is made up of songwriting which hopefully will not go out of style. Cheap Trick has been doing this type of music for ages. There first record came out in the mid-seventies and they have released quite a lot of material over the years. They seem to have a way with the most inane of disposible forms. This album is supposed to be the beginning/re-discovery of the true Cheap selves. Making it like they used to, with passion and verve. But I don't hear much of the old band on this one. The songs seem to be consistantly better over all and the sound is very now, (now equals grungy). The Beatles are everywhere these days and they come through in droves on this album. It's a welcome influence, though, and not a distraction. Why arent these guys the Beatles, well maybe they're Badfinger ("Carnival game"). I notice the lack of filler, which was my biggest complaint of records past. Well, if there is filler on this album it is cleaverly diguised as good songs. The voice of Robin keeps on ticking and sounds as sweet as ever.  
 
"Anytime", the opener, has great drum intro/bleed through from the studio. It starts with this lone drum, which is played to perfection. Hooked me right on in, for reel. "Shelter" is reminiscent of John Lennons "Mother" song. If I had a dad . . . but maybe the song goes out to a child instead of to a parent.The screaming vocals on this one remind me of Paul ala Hey Jude ("let a lot of people down"). All in all a real fine record, with lots to hear and think about. The fans won't be disapointed.
[BdeV 7/16/97]