It has been a while since I wrote a post about a Classic album. So I felt like rocking a bit and picked Cheap Trick. And as usual, went for the album that started me: Dream Police. And in fact, it is the opening track with the same title that shows all there is to like about the band. Highly addictive chorus sung by that stay young forever dude Robin Zander, a Beatlesesque middle section with strings and synthesisers, a instant riff (courtesy of that crazy guitarist Rick Nielsen) and an overall feel good performance and steady rhythm by drummer Bun E. Carlos and bassist Tom Petersson.
With a career as long as Cheap Trick, it is even more stunning they have been together for so long. Most people will know that from that global hit I Want You To Want Me, or Surrender, (2 hits that proved hard to follow) but in my humble opinion they almost always delivered songs with potency. Full of melody, tasty guitar work and great harmonies.
And some things never changed. You would always get some rockers (The House Is Rockin’, I’ll Be With You Tonight, Writing On The Wall), a riff monster (the live favourite Gonna Raise Hell), some new takes on Beatles influenced rock (Dream Police, Voices) and something that is (partly) close to a ballad (Need Your Love ). And you know what, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Always puts a smile on your face! Four decades of rocking the world, that is not quite an ehhhrrrr, cheap trick…
