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Cheap Trick: Rockford

Packed with more catchy hooks and solid rock riffs than most bands can muster up in an entire career, Rockford, the latest release from Cheap Trick, is another winner from this long lasting power-pop rock band who show no signs of age or slowing down. The formula here is basically the same; Robin Zander's unique and unmistakable vocal delivery, Rick Nielsen's muscular guitar work and catchy songwriting, and the solid rhythm section of bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E. Carlos. This foursome has delivered the goods time and time again, and while Rockford probably won't set the world on fire like Live at Budokan, Dream Police, Heaven Tonight, or Lap of Luxury did all those years ago, in a perfect world it really should and could. There's no shortage of memorable pop and party flavored hard rock here, like the catchy "Dream the Night Away", the hook laden yet rockin' "Give It Away", the pop-metal crunch of "Decaf", and the instantly memorable radio savvy of "Perfect Stranger", the CD's first single. However, one of the most surprising songs is the soaring opener "Welcome to the World", which features not only a great hook and driving guitars, but layers of vocal haromines that not only recall Cheap Trick's glory days, but also bands like Queen, The Beatles, ELO, Aviary, and New England.
Rockford is one of those albums that will no doubt get many repeat listens to those that give it a chance. All the hardcore Cheap Trick fans who have been with the band from the start need to spread the word and get all the youngsters to give this one a try and see how much fire is left in this band. This is quite simply a fun CD all around and highly recommended.

Track Listing
1. Welcome to the World
2. Perfect Stranger
3. If It Takes a Lifetime
4. Come On Come On Come On
5. O Claire
6. This Time You Got It
7. Give It Away
8. One More Day
9. Every Night and Every Day
10. Dream the Night Away
11. All Those Years
12. Decaf

Added: July 5th 2006
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Cheap Trick Website
Hits: 6426
Language: english

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Cheap Trick: Rockford
Posted by Ken Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2006-07-05 06:23:32
My Score:

Cheap Trick has always proved to be a consistent source of quality Rock and Roll and with Rockford, they have done it once again. This album would be their third release outside of the major label arena and come to the fans care of Big 3 Records. Rockford starts off with "Welcome To The World" and it's a jumping opener that delivers the same kind of energy that the band gives their fans on the concert stage. "Come On" is one of those quick typical sing along tracks that the guys excelled at and while radio has not seen a Cheap Trick hit since "The Flame" I found "Perfect Stranger" and "If It Takes A Lifetime" would have been perfect material for the medium. The terrestrial radio world is far different from the time it regularly had Cheap Trick music showcased on it and now as a result perhaps the growing Satellite stations and cable music feeds is the best idea for this band going forward. The lineup is again the originals with Robin Zander (vocals), Rick Neilsen (guitar), Tom Petersson (bass) and Bun E. Carlos (drums) – I think it's fantastic to see that after all these years that the band still delivers and has not been through 10 membership changes. It keeps the vibe that they started long ago running just as fresh and fun as it always had been. There is a cute booklet that features the animated caricatures of the group and despite their music and lyrics being very catchy and easy to remember they did not include lyrics to the songs. I feel this would have locked the piece up for me yet overall it is a very consistent album and for a band around as long as Cheap Trick there is nothing else that I expected of them. Younger listeners especially ones who are in bands would do well to pay attention to this band as an influencer. Cheap Trick shows you that Rock still does just that – there is nothing resembling the boredom of mainstream Rock of today on this album. Check this album out and rock once again with Cheap Trick. While you're at it go find a Greatest Hits package and Live At Budokan as both are requirements in ones CD collection.

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