Published: June 28, 2006 05:39 pm      

Cheap Trick fans will delight

As far as rock music goes, few bands are as iconic as Cheap Trick. The band has been releasing albums since the late ’70s/early ’80s to critical acclaim yet have only managed to show up on the Top 40 radar a few times throughout their decades old career.

If you think that you have never heard of them, you are mistaken, you just don’t know it yet. Their ’80s hits “Dream Police” and “The Flame” are staples of ’80s compilations and movie soundtracks and “That ’70s Song” serves as the recognizable theme of the hit television comedy That ’70s Show. “Rockford” is the band’s first album in three years and is their 24th release.

When you have sold out stadiums across the world, been widely hailed as an influence on today’s most popular bands, and had hits recognizable over a decade after they were first released, I imagine there is not a whole lot left to do. On “Rockford” the band sticks to what they do best, creating great rock music. This is one of those recipes that is far from fancy or complicated but tastes great none the less.

“Rockford” opens with the swirling ’70s arena sounds of “Welcome to the World,” and the album’s first single “Perfect Stranger.” The band sound more impressive than they have in nearly a decade on these two songs alone. I don’t know if a three-year hiatus was just what they needed or if there was another contributing factor but they certainly sound like they are enjoying themselves again (an aspect of Cheap Trick that has been sorely lacking over the last few albums). “Perfect Stranger” may even be one of the best songs the band has ever written.

The latter years Beatles drenched “O Claire” is another highlight with its simple yet symphonic pop sound. The Midwest pop of “All Those Years” continues the band’s winning streak with “Rockford.” It’s got a nice upbeat feel to it that inspires a look back on your relationship choices. “Decaf” ends the album, taking you out on a high note to be sure. This is not only the heaviest song on the record musically but also the natural next step from the rest of the album, boasting signature Cheap Trick harmonies and pop choruses amid some tuned down guitars and aggressive vocals. Needless to say it sounds more like “Caf” than “Decaf” despite its title.

This has been a great year for rock music so far and Cheap Trick’s “Rockford” serves as another superb example. It’s also nice to see a band like this pull themselves together for one more great record. I hope there will be many more, but if “Rockford” ends up being it then Cheap Trick fans can die happy. “Rockford” stands nicely in line with “Live at Budokan,” “Dream Police,” and “Lap of Luxury.”

Mark Fisher of Fairmont writes music features and reviews for the Times West Virginian.