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 Cheap Trick Solid Performance Nov 18, 2009
The latest Cheap Trick CD introduces us once again to the Cheap Trick of old, a hugely talented group of musicians who can continue to deliver new catchy tunes. I found myself wanting to play the tracks over and over as they were full of melodies that remained in my head long after I turned the CD player off. I hope that they will continue to tour and record great music.
 After the smoke clears, a solid 3 Nov 17, 2009
Let me start off by saying I saw this band open for RUSH while promoting their debut album, "Cheap Trick" back in 1977 at the Stanley Theatre. Since then, the band has managed to put out a respectable catalogue and are now celebrating their 35th anniversary together. No small feat. The band had passed through Pittsburgh this past summer opening for Def Leppard playing another short greatest hits set. Remember though that this band was a headliner way back in the "Cheap Trick at Budokan" days followed by the "Dream Police" explosion. The thing is that the band rocked much harder and more often back then. Any of you familiar with Cheap Trick are reminded of the pop/rock stylings of their songs such as "Surrender", "Dream Police", and "I Want You To Want Me" which were huge hits worthy of a Guitar Hero game invitation. Their biggest hit, "The Flame" is well over a decade old now, a power pop ballad that receives plenty of lighter reaction every time it is played live. That bring us to "The Latest" and what you are expecting from Cheap Trick in 2009. If you are expecting a "rock" record, look elsewhere. If you are expecting a pop record that sounds a lot like The Beatles in the delivery and overall presentation, you will not be too far from what is offered here. "Sleep Forever" starts the CD off as an intro piece, moody and atmospheric but not really accomplishing much, while "When The Lights Are Out" is a good enough CD opener complete with canned audience noise at the end of the song to get the listener excited. Rick Nielson's guitar playing has some lines that sound familiar but just slightly different. Is he repeating himself? Has he run out of ideas? Dunno. "Miss Tomorrow" follows with a catchier beat with Robin Zander's vocals as smooth as ever while they even name check The Fab Four in that song. "Sick Man of Europe" rocks the tempo up a bit to the Cheap Trick range that I like with a much catchier chorus and interesting guitar riff with the same being said about "California Girl" as well. "Everyday You Make Me Crazy" is a glimpse of classic Trick but at 1:17 in length, it serves more of a teaser of what the CD could have been rather than a song. "Alive" has probably the biggest production of any song here and would fit nicely on any Classic Rock radio playlist. "These Days", "Miracle", "Everybody Knows", "Times of Our Lives", "Closer, The Ballad of Burt and Linda", and "Smile" make up the remainder of the CD and all suffer from the Beatlesque studio experimentation sound of the more throwaway songs from that band's latter output. Competent but also showing a little of going-through-the-motionsitis. The rhythm section of Bun E. Carlos (drums) and Tom Petersson (many stringed basses) is still a well oiled machine, very much in the Watts/Wyman tradition. Nothing too flashy, just steady playing holding the whole thing down and together. The trouble with this CD is that nothing jumps out at you with authority. If you were expecting "In Color" or "Heaven Tonight", don't hold your breathe but if you have like what Cheap Trick has put out in the last decade or so, you will not be disappointed with this release.
Must-Have for All Cheap Trick Fans Nov 14, 2009
Cheap Trick's "The Latest" CD is a must have for all Cheap Trick fans. Robin Zander really shows his vocal range on this CD. Tom Petersson's bass playing is very pronounced on this CD. There are lots of complexity to these songs without sacrificing their trademark rock sound.
The Fountain Of Youth Nov 14, 2009
I have to admit that, until recently, I was only a casual listener to Cheap Trick. I knew a few of the more well known songs that casual fans would know, liked or loved them, and that was it. In the past few weeks, Cheap Trick have become my latest musical obsession. I have had a quick history lesson this past month or so, and it's been great. How could I of denied myself this brilliant band for so long?. I've tried to get my hands on whatever is available in stores(which isn't a whole lot, sad to say), and the band's latest titled, er, "The Latest", has been one of them. Even tho I am relatively new to the legion of 'tricksters', even I know what an incredible CD this is. Filled with musical talent and brilliant playing and singing that sounds as if the band has been totally re-invigorated, and could kick the behinds of the young whippersnappers out there, "The Latest" is a great, great CD.
The latest disc is filled with great pop hooks, rock riffs, stirring melodies and harmonies, and lead vocalist Robin Zander's amazing voice doing some of his best work. It starts off with "Sleep Forever", which is a low, sparse, airy intro filled with a heavenly vocal workout from Zander. This short intro immediatley runs into "When The Lights Are Out", a cover song of a Slade tune that sounds exactly like it could of been a CT song in the 70s. It just has that classic CT sound to it. A great, rousing, gem of a classic rocker that is perfectly suited for the band. No break in between as the song rocks right into "Miss Tomorrow". This song is a great, catchy power pop tune that has a hint of ELO. It's a great, single-worthy pop song. The band immediatley heads into the tremendous rocker, "Sick Man Of Europe", which was the name the band had briefly before CT and Robin Zander. This song is maddeningly too short, but it's sparse 2:08 run is pure rock. A catchy, classic rock riff and a vocal shout out from Zander. Next up is "These Days", a power pop ditty with a catchy melody that again shows off Zander's amazing range. "Miracle" is a very Beatle-ish/Lennon-esque ballad that has Zander channeling his inner Lennon on the vocals. A great tune. Like 'Sick Man', "Everyday You Make Me Crazy" is another classic sounding rocker that is too good to be so short. It immediatley blows into "California Girl", which is a straight, out and out barroom, foot stomping, 70s type rocker, with another soaring vocal from Zander. "Everybody Knows" is a big power ballad with some more beautiful vocals from Zander. "Alive" is another straight forward rocker. While it may not tread new ground, it sets out to be what it is and succeeds. "These Of Our Lives" is another power pop ballad-ish song. It immediatley flows into "Closer, The Ballad Of Burt And Linda". This song is also a very Beatle-ish/Lennon-esque ballad seemingly inspired by some of that great band's late 60s psychedelic work, and sounds as if it could of belonged on CT's "Heaven Tonight" CD alongside that song. It all ends with the soaring power ballad, "Smile". A beautiful, well written song with another show stopping performance from Zander.
In my opinion, there isn't a stinker in the bunch. This is a CD that is wall to wall with well crafted pop songs, hard charging rock and roll tunes, and filled with beautiful harmonies and melodies, with some of that british pop/rock the band has always done. It's just a beautifully well constructed CD. The kind of rock/power pop that made these brilliant, and underappreciated, guys so great in the first place. The kind of CD I don't come across to often. And the credit must go to Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Bun E. Carlos, and Tom Petersson. The foursome wrote all the songs on the album and are playing better than ever. The band has always had a reputation for being a very, very good and tight live band, and their brilliance is on full display here. Everything that is Cheap Trick is on here in spades and it's easily the best CD I have heard in a long, long time. If only more people took notice of this legendary and brilliant band.
In the end, "The Latest" is one of the "Greatest". It's not just an incredibly good Cheap Trick CD, it's an astonishingly fantastic one. Nielsen, with his trademark hat, glasses and guitar, has always been one of the most fun musicians ever, and he delivers. Bun E. Carlos gives those drums a workout!. And Robin Zander?. Well, there is no doubt he has been one of the best, most versatile and, sadly, underappreciated vocalists in rock history. He does some of the best work in his career here. Everyone just gives it their all, and it most definitley shows. Stuff like this, and a band like this, should be back on top. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, are you listening?!?!.
THE GREATEST IS THE LATEST Nov 07, 2009
Yes, kids, it's true. This is the best, most mature songwriting effort by that crazy fab-four like band from Rockford. If you like the first release and their self-titled '97 release, you'll be sure to enjoy this tasteful morsel. Sorry.
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