Music review: Cheap Trick – 鈥楤ang, Zoom, Crazy … Hello’
Submitted photo
Cheap Trick
Jack Jeffries
缅北禁地 music reviewer Clint Rhodes (second from right) is pictured with Cheap Trick band members (from left) Daxx Nielson, Tom Petersson, Robin Zander and Rick Nielson at their April 2013 performance in New York City for the 35th Anniversary of 鈥淎t Budokan.鈥�
The Beatles, Beach Boys, Ramones, Cheap Trick and Counting Crows head up my list of favorite bands. Cheap Trick immediately became a personal favorite after I used my hard-earned weekly allowance to purchase 1978鈥檚 鈥淗eaven Tonight.鈥� Tracks such as 鈥淐alifornia Man鈥� and 鈥淥n Top of the World鈥� were constantly played at the highest volume, much to the dismay of my parents.
With more than 5,000 performances and 20 million records sold, Cheap Trick is perhaps one of rock music鈥檚 most talented, yet under-appreciated bands.
Until now.
After more than 40 years of making superbly crafted pop-rock arrangements like 鈥淪urrender,鈥� 鈥淒ream Police,鈥� 鈥淰oices,鈥� 鈥淚f You Want My Love鈥� and 鈥淭he Flame,鈥� the Illinois band finally received the invite to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
鈥淏ang, Zoom, Crazy 鈥� Hello鈥� is the band鈥檚 17th studio release with the rockers vibrantly recapturing their classic 鈥�70s rock vibe while augmenting the song structure with touches of newer nuances from releases such as 鈥�1997鈥� and 2006鈥檚 鈥淩ockford.鈥�
The 11 new arrangements are perfectly balanced with slick lyrics, catchy choruses and fluid guitar gusto.
鈥淗eart on the Line鈥� opens with Robin Zander, one of rock music鈥檚 best vocalists, delivering yet another flawless performance.
The infectious chorus graciously yields to Rick Nielsen鈥檚 vigorous guitar playing, creating a familiar and straightforward pop staple that has always been the band鈥檚 signature sound.
鈥淣o Direction Home鈥� follows and is easily one of the best tracks featured on the album with its contagious punch of pure power pop and soaring chorus.
The Bowie-esque 鈥淲hen I Wake Up Tomorrow鈥� is a stylish, moody track highlighted by Zander鈥檚 haunting vocals as he proclaims, 鈥淭hese days I wonder how I鈥檓 gonna make it tomorrow/In these ways I鈥檓 praying there鈥檚 no need for sorrow.鈥�
鈥淩oll Me鈥� smolders under the fiery flow of Nielsen鈥檚 trademark guitar riffs, Tom Petersson鈥檚 unmistakable 12-string bass, Daxx Nielsen鈥檚 chaotically controlled drumming and Zander鈥檚 rousing vocals.
Cheap Trick makes a Pittsburgh appearance with Heart and Joan Jett on July 21.
Unable to wait that long, I鈥檒l be traveling to Cleveland to catch the band perform on May 6.
Until then, my wife needs to be ready to hear a variety of Cheap Trick numbers played at peak volume in preparation for the show.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard .com.