As far as rock music goes, few bands are as iconic as Cheap Trick. The band has been releasing albums since the late ’70s/early ’80s to critical acclaim yet have only managed to show up on the Top 40 radar a few times throughout their decades old career.
If you think that you have never heard of them, you are mistaken, you just don’t know it yet. Their ’80s hits “Dream Police” and “The Flame” are staples of ’80s compilations and movie soundtracks and “That ’70s Song” serves as the recognizable theme of the hit television comedy That ’70s Show. “Rockford” is the band’s first album in three years and is their 24th release.
When you have sold out stadiums across the world, been widely hailed as an influence on today’s most popular bands, and had hits recognizable over a decade after they were first released, I imagine there is not a whole lot left to do. On “Rockford” the band sticks to what they do best, creating great rock music. This is one of those recipes that is far from fancy or complicated but tastes great none the less.
“Rockford” opens with the swirling ’70s arena sounds of “Welcome to the World,” and the album’s first single “Perfect Stranger.” The band sound more impressive than they have in nearly a decade on these two songs alone. I don’t know if a three-year hiatus was just what they needed or if there was another contributing factor but they certainly sound like they are enjoying themselves again (an aspect of Cheap Trick that has been sorely lacking over the last few albums). “Perfect Stranger” may even be one of the best songs the band has ever written.
The latter years Beatles drenched “O Claire” is another highlight with its simple yet symphonic pop sound. The Midwest pop of “All Those Years” continues the band’s winning streak with “Rockford.” It’s got a nice upbeat feel to it that inspires a look back on your relationship choices. “Decaf” ends the album, taking you out on a high note to be sure. This is not only the heaviest song on the record musically but also the natural next step from the rest of the album, boasting signature Cheap Trick harmonies and pop choruses amid some tuned down guitars and aggressive vocals. Needless to say it sounds more like “Caf” than “Decaf” despite its title.
This has been a great year for rock music so far and Cheap Trick’s “Rockford” serves as another superb example. It’s also nice to see a band like this pull themselves together for one more great record. I hope there will be many more, but if “Rockford” ends up being it then Cheap Trick fans can die happy. “Rockford” stands nicely in line with “Live at Budokan,” “Dream Police,” and “Lap of Luxury.”
Mark Fisher of Fairmont writes music features and reviews for the Times West Virginian.
Entertainment Today
Related Photos
-
Cheap Trick album cover. Submitted Photo
June 28, 2006
Cheap Trick fans will delight
- Entertainment Today
-
- It’s a girl for Annika Sorenstam It’s a girl for Annika Sorenstam.
- NYC subway art contest proposed to honor Jackson A New York city councilwoman has come up with another way to honor Michael Jackson at the subway station where he shot the music video for “Bad.”
- Country artists try to build their base abroad Dierks Bentley and his band recently jetted to Australia to open six shows for Brooks & Dunn, playing to more than 10,000 people a night in the country's largest cities.
- 'Billy Elliot' wins 10 Tonys; 'Carnage' best play Broadway's Tonys seemed a family affair this year, with an outpouring of generosity from winners to losers despite the domination of the evening by "Billy Eliot," which won 10 awards, and one actor bringing his wife to the stage to stand by him while he accepted his prize.
- Hollywood labor drama likely to fizzle Tuesday The credits are about to roll on a contract drama involving actors in Hollywood's biggest movies and TV shows, a fight that has left them bitterly divided and further behind than they started.
-
Commanding the field
How many can distinctively conduct the “The Star-Spangled Banner” in ¾ time using the appropriate cut-offs and the upbeat introductions? How many can direct a band marching backward and keeping time to the parade style songs? These are only the tryouts, while in reality the job of field commander entitles much more.
-
‘Every animal deserves a chance’
Isis, the shelter cat, sits perched on a wooden fence near the main door and slowly creeps over to greet guests who come to visit the sanctuary.
-
Rediscover Marion County for a summer full of fun
Memorial Day Weekend was the cue for families to begin thinking of and even planning those wonderful summer trips that build fond memories and shared stories for years to come.
In just a few weeks, school children will be out for the summer, giving families time to take off work and take off for all points north, south, east and west. -
Listen to the music playing in your head
Summer is the perfect time for outdoor concerts. And North Central West Virginia is conveniently located amid the many venues that offer music ranging from country to pop to rock and more.
The following is a list of concerts scheduled throughout the summer in the area. -
To hear music, just press ‘play’
Can you imagine living a day without music? Or having a month without your iPod or mp3 player? Just think of how the world would be if you were not able to hear your favorite song echo through a speaker. Well, the way that music players have branched out over the years, there are no worries for not having music by your side for generations to come.
- More Entertainment Today Headlines
