Music review: Cheap Trick – 鈥業n Another World鈥�
My unyielding appreciation for Cheap Trick originated back in 1978 after purchasing a vinyl copy of 鈥淗eaven Tonight.鈥�
The Illinois quartet鈥檚 third studio effort was a stunning example of infectious power pop mixed with a rousing rush of hard rock at its finest with tracks like 鈥淪urrender,鈥� 鈥淐alifornia Man鈥� and 鈥淪tiff Competition.鈥�
Over the years, I鈥檝e collected every album released by the band as well as attended over 30 Cheap Trick live performances. To say I get excited when the band cranks out new material is an understatement.
鈥淚n Another World鈥� is the band鈥檚 20th studio release with the rockers vibrantly recapturing the signature sound that brought us classic radio-friendly arrangements like 鈥淏ig Eyes,鈥� 鈥淒ream Police,鈥� 鈥淰oices鈥� and 鈥淚 Want You to Want Me.鈥�
鈥淗ere comes the summer/The summer looks good on you,鈥� announces Robin Zander on the album opener that provides the perfect introduction to better days ahead and the anticipation of feeling the warmth of the sun once again. The 68-year-old singer proves he鈥檚 still one of rock鈥檚 best vocalists by delivering yet another impeccable performance.
鈥淏oys & Girls & Rock N Roll鈥� is easily one of the best tracks showcased on the album. Fueled by an overabundance of unbridled exuberance, the number seems like a suitable companion piece to 鈥淪urrender鈥� with Zander proclaiming, 鈥淭ake it easy/It鈥檚 only rock 鈥榥鈥� roll.鈥�
The Beatlesque 鈥淨uit Waking Me Up鈥� is a stylish number that speaks to the one special girl you simply can鈥檛 get out of your head as Zander declares, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e winding me up and I鈥檝e fallen in love.鈥�
鈥淟ight Up the Fire鈥� smolders under the skillful guidance of Rick Nielsen鈥檚 distinct guitar riffs, Tom Petersson鈥檚 absorbing 12-string bass, Daxx Nielsen鈥檚 controlled drumming and Zander鈥檚 stirring vocals. This one is a perfect fit alongside any of the band鈥檚 previous hits and is sure to be a concert favorite.
The set closes with a biting cover of John Lennon鈥檚 鈥淕imme Some Truth鈥� with assistance from guitarist Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. The lyrics hit like a ton of bricks when you discover things really haven鈥檛 changed over the years as Zander sings, 鈥淚鈥檓 sick and tired of hearing things/From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocrites/All I want is the truth/Just gimme some truth.鈥�
In the end, Cheap Trick delivers the undeniable truth that you can鈥檛 stop rock 鈥榥鈥� roll.