Customer Reviews

Cheap Trick

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

CHEAP TRICK '97 was as strong and as muscular a CD as the band had made in their glory days. Too bad the Red Ant label took the fall within weeks of the record's release! It remains Cheap Trick's last album to crack the top 100, and might have easily brought them the same kind of comeback "Lap Of Luxury" afforded them. Even more to the point, this is a better record than "Lap," and an all-the-way Cheap Trick effort.

There is more snarl to opener, "Anytime," than most of the pretenders to the crown could muster for a whole CD. And things just get better from there. You get the wicked punkish bite of "Wrong All Along," the pitch perfect Beatle-esque single "Say Goodbye," and the most beautiful and intimate song the band has ever recorded with "Shelter." Every single song bristles with energy and memorable hooks, and there isn't a moment here where the band sounds forced (see "Lap Of Luxury" and "Busted"). All four Tricksters are at there finest form, manning their posts like they were a hungry young band and not the grizzled vets they are.

I recommend this to anyone who ever loved Cheap Trick at any stage in their career, or if good old fashioned power pop makes your heart beat just a little faster.

Back in 1997 Cheap Trick was finally getting their due. A great box set was out that showcased their trade mark sound, and a host of up and coming bands were giving Cheap Trick their props. Then Cheap Trick came out with this self titled, self produced cd, and jaws around the industry dropped. They made the perfect pop/rock record in the tradition of the Beatles, and the Kinks. How could a band in this stage of their career do this? After all most rock bands when they reach this stage of their career are forced to become a middle age over produced shadow of themselves. Cheap Trick, however took that myth and stood it upon its ear. There is not one mis-step here. Everything is dead on. From the growling "Anytime,"(One can here where Kurt Cobain learned his style) to the perfect pop of "Hard to Tell," and "Carnival Game," and the incredible "Say Goodbye," Cheap Trick had something to prove and prove it they did. There is power, hooks and wit on this cd that bands half their age would sell their soul to have. The most impressive thing about this cd was the sonic quality. Left to their own devices Cheap Trick nails their live sound for almost the first time on a studio recording. In other words they are ready and more than willing to rock. "Baby No More," "You Let a Lot of People Down," "Eight Miles Low," "Yeah, Yeah," "Wrong All Along," can all attest to this. This is the cd that Cheap Trick always had in them, but certain record labels would not let them make. To bad Red Ant went bankrupt soon after this cd was released or a lot of record industry people would have had to eat a lot of crow. This CD was not just one of the best cd's of 1997, but of the entire 90's. In a world full of dull gray bands that all sounded alike and dressed alike, this CD was like a full blast of color and personality all mixed together with a great sound that is timeless, and yes urgent as well. If you want a cd that combines the Beatles, Stones, The Who, the Move with a unique American twist that only Cheap Trick can provide, say hello to this cd. Don't be afraid this cd does not bite, unless you keep an eye on it,because it does have teeth.

Might be a bit confusing for some,because the band's very first album was self-titled,wasn't it?To those of you who've wondered about the where abouts of Cheap Trick,they've never gone anywhere.Often,maybe there are certain cities they just skip playing for awhile.'Cheap Trick' is sure to truely satisfy any and all long time fans.Plus,I've usually seen this disc priced rather low.I've always considered the guys to be 'heavy pop' and that's just what they are.Best tracks are the single "Say Goodbye","It All Comes Back To You","Wrong All Along","Anytime" and "Hard To Tell".As for the line-up,yes I've had others ask me about that.It's all original,Robin-vocals,Rick-guitar,Tom-bass and Bun E.-drums.If you don't know their last names,YOU seriously need to relocate to another planet.

ere, sorry let me state why the title is the way it is:

----being bored (like i usually am) i decided to look through my CD collection (some 350 odd cds WITH a printed list) and looked at this here CD. I almost threw up...because i remembered how i got it. Just so happened one day i went into a Dollar General for...something i forget and saw this CD...FOR 5 FREAKING DOLLARS!!!! Brand new never opened...i almost had a brain anursym (SP?) and on the spot payed for it and not for what i initally went in for. I strolled home and pulled in to the stereo and i listened to it...and i wanted to slap these Red Ant fools but i had never heard of such a company.

Now with the tracks:

1. Anytime: 4.5/5 I don't like the singing at the begining, but the chourus and the simple guitar work sticks!

2. Hard to Tell: 5/5 IT'S NOT THAT HARD TO TELL...this song has a great chorous and great drumming.

3. Carnival Game: 4.5/5 Don't ask me why but the piano bit at the begining followed by some power work from Rick really nails this song down.

4. Shelter: 3.5/5 I like it, but i'm personally not a huge slow song man.

5. You let a lot of people down: 5.5/5 This is all around greatness and is a reason this CD puts there 80's work to shame.

6. Baby No More: 4.5/5 By CT standards, quick and brutal with some funny but repetative vocals.

7. Yeah yeah: 5/5 I always dug this song don't ask me why but it's great...i would of liked it longer but hey.

8. Say Goodbye: 4/5 Not bad but is normal CT stuff.

9. Wrong all along: 4.5/5 quick (2:10) song and the ending is funny (Seems to me, oh my life is reallying goin' to hell)

10. Eight miles low: 5/5 the lyrics are weird as hell but the instrumental part is great.

11. All comes back to you: 3/5 Okay song.

Overall: 4.9/5 This marked something of a comeback for the guys known as Cheap Trick, proving that they are not dead but rather taking sometime off to find there true sound: god forbid we got another CD like The Doctor or Standing on the Edge again!

Frankly, I stopped listening after "Next Position Please." I never figured out how this group lost it's touch after "Dream Police." They kept trying to cater to trends instead of being themselves.

They nailed it on this one. I happened upon this after seeing "Silver" in DVD. That great performance sparked my interest again, and seeing that I could get this CD used for [$$], I thought I'd give it a chance.

Wow!

My only question is, why did it take 19 years and several awful albums to finally make a true Cheap Trick recording?

Buy this, NOW! It's great.

Nice to see the CT boys back to writing more on their own. I know it was their downfall in the mid 80's but they do it better by themselves. Only a few tracks here have outside influence.
That said, Cheap Trick (97) is a solid entry into their discography. Most say it's a return to rock form from their late 70's albums, but in my opinion, Woke Up With A Monster was that.
The Tracks:
1. Anytime is a muddled heavy opener. Harsher than usual. Robin screams like he's never screamed before. All in all it's a good song, not a great one and not the kick off the album needs.
2. Hard To Tell follows with the whiny lead in guitar. CT are showing their class here and it's one of the highlights from the album.
3. Carnival Game is a nice change from the heavier first two tracks. It too is a hightlight from the album, if not the highest of them.
4. Shelter is lovely. Perhaps one of the softer songs they've done. Another hightlight. that's 1, 2, 3 so far!!
5. You Let A Lot Of People Down is one of the lesser tracks but still rocks nicely. Nothing new from this song.
6. Baby No More is a fast paced winner. Rick's guitar is wonderful. The overdubbed vocal (featured on most tracks) really works here.
7. Yeah Yeah is a lesser track. A bit lazy perhaps. They could have done more with this one by changing the lyrics to something more interesting. Closest thing to a 'filler track' on the album.
8. Say Goodbye is one of the best singles they've released. Lyrically there's not much on offer but the song blends many elements, each flowing seemlessly together. Should have been a hit.
9. Wrong All Along is another highlight. Fast and heavy. Great guitar.
10. Eight Miles Low is a good song. Not one of those highlights but another good rocker. Interesting harmonies - if you can call them that.
11. It All Comes Back To You is a nice ballard. Interesting vocal.
12. Baby Talk (for those who have it) is a great song. Nice and heavy. Should have featured on the 'normal' version of the album.
13. Brontosaurus (for those that have it) is a good cover of the original. I'm a Move/ELO fan so was happy for it to take its place here as a bonus.

All in all, CT (97) is a return to form after their return to form of Woke Up With A Monster...... Not quite as good as the former, perhaps lacks the variety or songs, but nestles nicely below Cheap Trick(77) and above Busted (90) in CT album rankings.

I wasn't expecting much when I picked this up at a used CD shop. I was pleasantly suprised. It is not very often that it leaves my CD player. I was getting tired of my old supposedly "greatest hits" albums and wanted to hear something new from Cheap Trick. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Cheap Trick!!!

Listening to CHEAP TRICK 97, I can say that the band once again found the mark and made this awesome CD. The sound that fans fell in love with back in the late 70's is back. Rick is playing some mean guitar, Tom and Bun E. are proving that they are still a great rhythm section, and Robin proves once again why he is the man of 1000 voices. This sounds so much like their first 3 classic albums, that I find it a shame that this album didnt push back to the top like it should have. I like every song that is on this album, and that is quite a feat, but if I had to pick my favorites they would be: ANYTIME, HARD TO TELL, SHELTER, IT ALL COMES BACK TO YOU, and CARNIVAL GAME. Recently alot of up and coming bands have gave CT its due, and its about time this great American rock band gets what they deserve

Okay,I had this on cassete I Bought it on cassete at Big Lots.Listened to it and loved it.Then just last night I bought it for $3.00 on CD at K Mart.I WAS AMAZED.Anyway it won't ever disappoint you.TRUST ME and buy it.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Don't expect to find too much light-hearted fun on Cheap Trick's self-titled 1997 release. This is CT with an attitude. From the psycho-angst driven hard rock opener "Anytime" to the reflective closing ballad, "It All Comes Back To You", Cheap Trick delivers. The trademark Beatle-influenced pop Cheap Trick is famous for can be found in songs like "Carnival Game", "Say Goodbye", and "Hard To Tell". Contrast that against the angry, harder-edged tunes like the aforementioned "Anytime" and "You Let A Lotta People Down", the poignant ballads "Shelter" and "It All Comes Back To You", and the Faces/Stones-meets-Stooges quickie "Wrong All Along" and you have an excellent mix of just about all of the essential elements necessary for a great Cheap Trick experience. Eleven cuts and not a bad one in the bunch so, buy it if you can find it.