Dream Police

Cheap Trick

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: October 1979
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025FJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,857 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Its initial release delayed by the fluke success of Live at Budokan, Cheap Trick's fourth studio album showcases a powerhouse band that was quickly trading in the rough-hewn charms of its club days for this hard-won studio showcase. They skipped "slick" entirely and went straight on to "polished." And if the material here is just a little less visceral than the holy trinity of its first releases, it's also brainier and more musically compelling. The title track remains a marvel of pop-rock perfection, a Jungian nightmare that rocks with all the wallop the Tricksters can muster. "Way of the World" and the underrated ballad "Voices" highlight Robin Zander's vocal range and prowess, while "Gonna Raise Hell" and the ghostly "Need Your Love" offer the band rare chances to show off its awesome musical interplay. Most underrated gem: Tom Petersson's playful, punky three-chord monster, "I Know What I Want." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS AIN'T NO FALSE ARREST!, September 9, 2000

By	demien (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

"DREAM POLICE" was recorded in 1979 after the band finally scored big with the classic "Live at Budokan." Cheap Trick was a band that came out with a sound all their own with a unique image to compliment that originality. They created little masterpieces consisting of witty lyrics and a magical knack for potent melody. Cheap Trick could not be classified or limited to one type of music. They incorporated punk,new wave,rockabilly,metal,pop,and rock into their sound resulting in a one two punch of pure sonic bravado. "Dream Police" was not as electric as their previous efforts due to the more radio friendly commercial approach but was still a worthy and successful achievement. "I Know What I Want" rages with punk rock attitude and features Tom Petersen on lead vocals. "I'll Be With You Tonight" is perfect pop melody played with ecstatic delight. "Need Your Love" slithers along with a grinding desire that locks you down and holds you in its spell.

"Writing on The Wall" is a raving urgent rocker that displays Cheap Trick's musical chemistry at its finest. "Dream Police" also includes the melodically intoxicating "Way Of The World" and the sinister onslaught of "Gonna Raise Hell." Buy a copy and enjoy some interrogation from the Tricksters. You'll be happy you did.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dream Police (1979), October 18, 2005

By	Jukebox Hero (Allendale, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Dream Police is the fifth album from Cheap Trick. Dream Police is the follow up to Cheap Trick's breakthrough release "Live at Budokan." The album is a good follow up to "Live at Budokan" it even contains the song Need Your Love, which made its first appearance on "Live at Budokan." Other highlights include the title track, Dream Police as well as Voices. My personal favorite from the album is Gonna Raise Hell. Dream Police is a must for Cheap Trick fans.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Criminally Underated, February 2, 2003

By	Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The surprise success of "At Budokan" bumped this album, which was already complete, to the back burner while the hits ran their course. Likely because of a budding backlash from the post Budokan overexposure and increased expectations, "Dream Police" took an unjust drubbing at the time. But it was really the sound of the band evolving. The almost disco thump of "Gonna Raise Hell" and the nightmare vision of the title track proved Cheap Trick still had the brains, "Way Of The World" and "Need Your Love" provided the brawn.

It was just that the band had become so competent that some of the edgy charm had slipped away. "Voices" was the kind of ballad that Cheap Trick might not have been able to pull off prior to this, and there were a few who viewed this kind of open balladeering as selling out. They missed the point.

Cheap Trick was exploring their range on "Dream Police." Be that in Robin Zander's polished vocal on "Voices" or in that Tom Petersen took to the mike for the stunning "I Know What I Want," "Dream Police" became a showcase for the boys from Rockford IL. If you compare the Tricksters' sound here to new wave acts like Blondie and the Cars that were now in the same arena (Blondie's "Eat To The Beat" arrived roughly the same time as "Dream Police" and covers a lot of the same ground), you'll see how "Dream Police" remains an excellent album from a band in their prime.