Cheap
Trick’s ‘Rockford’ delivers
power-pop rock
By
Catherine Chen
Summer Forty-Niner
Assistant News Editor
My favorite American band is back. Cheap Trick’s latest album, titled “Rockford” in
honor of its Illinois hometown, arrived in stores June 6.
It is a brand-new, classic Cheap Trick power-pop album, brimming with background
vocals, melodious melodies, and bouncy energy reminiscent of 1983’s “Next
Position Please.”
The original lineup produces another magnificent record almost three decades
after the debut album in 1977. Robin Zander sings with the incomparable voice
that earned him the appropriate title “The Man of a Thousand Voices.”
Tom Petersson, creator of the 12-string bass, enhances each piece with a fine
layer of music while drummer Bun E. Carlos steadily hammers away.
Lead guitarist Rick Nielsen, approaching his 60th birthday, is still an outstanding
musician and the focus of concerts, jumping around, zealously playing his unique
guitars (including the famed five-neck guitar) and throwing handfuls of picks
out to the crowd.
The loud opening track “Welcome to the World” prepares the listener
for a set of fun tunes to supplement a joyous summer.
The first single “Perfect Stranger” follows and proves to be a
perfect hit. One of the most memorable songs on the album, it was produced
and co-written by prominent musician and record producer Linda Perry.
Track 5, “O Claire,” is a relaxing break before the party resumes
with the upbeat “This Time You Got It.” Both are sure to put you
in a great mood.
Nielsen’s trilling guitar echoes Zander’s strong vocals in “Give
It Away,” a song about looking out for dishonest people.
Near the end of the “Rockford” experience is the silky “Dream
the Night Away,” a harmonious lullaby rich with melodic curves.
In “Rockford,” the material is not as dark as some of the band’s
harder rock, such as 1997’s “Cheap Trick,” and instead shows
off its flair for creating the catchiest power-pop. The groups playful attitude
is even apparent in its list of song titles. For example, “Come On, Come
On, Come On” on “Rockford” brings to mind “Come On,
Come On” from Cheap Trick’s sophomore album and “O Claire” recalls “Oh
Claire” from its third album.
In addition to recycling previous song titles, the second half of the album
contains songs that make the track list read like a poem: “Give it Away,” “Every
Night and Every Day” and “Dream the Night Away.”
With “Rockford” being Cheap Trick’s 16th studio album, it
is amazing that the band has produced so many successful records and maintains
a distinctive style.
Cheap Trick continues to tour year-round and is an exciting
show to watch.
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