It is refreshing to know that in an ever-changing world, Cheap Trick are still able to put out an album full of snappy hooks, hard-driving guitar and Beatles-like vocal harmonies. I am almost tempted to end this review without typing another word.
Over the last ten years, it seems like Cheap Trick kept trying to release concert albums that would recover the magic of their breakthrough 'Live At Budokan' album. Three live albums, two greatest hits collections and one box set were released compared to the two proper album releases, which were excellent efforts but seemed to go unnoticed. Here's hoping that Rockford,' a collection of 12 new Cheap Trick songs gets noticed.
'Welcome To The World' is an energetic opener, immediately followed by the Linda Perry-produced 'Perfect Stranger,' which is also the album's first single (as if there were such a things as singles anymore).
Their bubblegum harmonies and edgy guitars still sound fresh in 2006, yet nothing on the album is as refreshingly retro as 'If It Takes A Lifetime,' arguably one of the strongest tracks recorded by this band in fifteen years.
The following lyric from 'Perfect Stranger' says it all. "I don't need another perfect stranger/Driving me insane/Constantly saying 'it's time for you to change'" Cheap Trick haven't changed, and they don't have to.
I almost put the Jackson 5 on my list...almost. Great post. You have an incredible collection, wow!
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