As a Cheap Trick fan since the At Budokan days, I have a little bit of a bias when it comes to reviewing their catalog- I’m not just a fan… I’m a HUGE fan. Got everything on album, cassette, 45, or CD, been to multiple Trick concerts, got a few Rick picks, etc; yet I’m not too biased to say that I absolutely love every single thing that they’ve put out or that I can’t find any fault in this album or that album. That said, I have my preferences as to favorite songs and styles from the band over others (I’m one of those guys that LOVES 1980’s All Shook Up) so keep all that in mind when reading the following review. So here goes…

After listening to the new one I found it an interesting mix of what sounds like a Robin Zander solo album (similar in vibe/tone to his 1993 release) mixed with hints of classic Cheap Trick from the 70s and 80s and some newer shades. If you’re looking for that classic power pop of the old days you’re not gonna find it – you probably need to go back to Rockford for a full album of that – but if you’re looking for some of the quirkier Trick mixed with hooks, harmonies, and (dare I say) a Beatle-y/Nilsson/ELO vibe here and there you may like this. In some ways this is almost an adult contemporary Cheap Trick; less on the riff rock and more dynamic across the board.

Overall this is a very good album and possibly their best from the post Bun E years. I’ve listened to this one five or six times in full with some songs getting multiple plays, especially Long Road To Worcester being the stand out track and a good example where I hear a mix of Robin’s solo album and the classic CT melodies akin to something like “Say Goodbye”. But before things get too safe, what does Rick do? He drops in one barnstorming Rick solo that sounds like something from the Dream Police album! The chorus and the psychedelic bridge that pops up midway and gradually brings things to a close is absolutely to die for. While I absolutely love the more rocking side of Cheap Trick and those classic power pop moments, songs like Worcester really round out how awesome this band remains- it sounds a bit like new territory for the band but they layer in that CT sauce to the mix and you’re left slack jawed and stunned at the end wondering…. OMG… what did I just listen to? And then you hit replay again and again. It’s sneaky good and a brilliantly crafted song.

As for other songs I really like the first six- the title cut is a great rocker; proof that Rick can still drop a cool riff or two (or three) on us as part of these 21st century albums. I can definitely hear the Iggy Pop as some have mentioned (what do you expect from The Man Of 1000 Voices?) but I could hear someone like The Darkness in those crunchy chords. All Wrong Long Gone feels like one of the better songs from Lap Of Luxury, a great singalong chorus and Robin is strong and on point. Riff That Won’t Quit is simply fun, another great springy Rick riff that kicks things into another gear. Maybe a bit hair metal in vibe but hey, Rockford’s finest were first.

Bet It All didn’t quite grab me on first listen but grew on me after a few. Kind of a more sinister Heaven Tonight and fairly short but dirty sweet. The Best Thing kinda starts like an overly sappy power ballad, maybe a too cheery Voices but those “la la las” in the background and the sentiment is sweet. And Rick’s solo in the reprise at the end just feels right. Maybe a bit too abrupt on the end from Robin but I’ll be darned if it doesn’t make me misty eyed (and for someone married to the best thing that’s ever happened to me, I get where he’s coming from). And as for Twelve Gates I’ve loved since I heard it… dreamily melodic and those background vocals are absolutely spot on. A bit of a trippier If You Want My Love, Robin just nailing the vocal and the rumble from Tom’s 12 string comes through the mix nice and strong.

After that I’m a bit hit or miss on the rest… Bad Blood I like sometimes and other times I skip right past it. It’s good but doesn’t offer up much different in style from the first six so it doesn’t stand out. A nice Rick solo and from a guitar standpoint it’s a good mix of tones but in the end it doesn’t register high on the replay meter for me (that said, if this song popped up on my playlist or on shuffle I probably wouldn’t skip it). Dancing With The Band is kinda fun but the chorus sounds a bit like a hook for a soft drink commercial from the 80s. A bit of a throwaway rocker that I sometimes skip. Love Gone makes me think of that Zander solo album and is a song I don’t much care for at all- chorus is decent but the verses feel like a bit of a downer with that descending chord progression. Last but not least Wham Boom Bang is the baby sister to I Want You To Want Me, Rick finally getting that clarinet/oboe on a Cheap Trick album on this jaunty, bouncy rocker and it’s just brilliant finger snapping fun.

Is this a classic on par with those iconic 70s records? Far from it, but at this stage of their career it’s extremely strong and proves that the band still has some good to very good (and in Worcester’s case GREAT) songs left in the tank.