Standing on Edge [Import]

Cheap Trick | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony Japan
• ASIN: B00009WKXL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,426 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Little Sister

2. Tonight It's You

3. She's Got Motion

4. Love Comes

5. How About You

6. Standing On The Edge

7. This Time Around

8. Rock All Night

9. Cover Girl

10. Wild Wild Women

Editorial Reviews

CD reissue of this 1985 album from the hard rockin' Power Pop quartet featuring one bonus track: the single version of 'Tonight It's You'. Wounded Bird. 2010. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An unusual album that needs an unusual approach, July 27, 2005

By 

John D. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Standing on the Edge (Audio CD)

This is an album that needs to be taken into context, with respect to the state of the band in 1985, the state of the music industry in 1985, and the common expectations of a Cheap Trick fan in 2005 raised on the early Budokan and "Surrender" type work, or for that matter any person today.

Twenty years ago Cheap Trick were in the midst of a nearly-crushing commecial slump that had been haunting them for five years, during which bassist Tom Petersson had left the band and had been replaced by Jon Brant. It was difficult to compete with the fast paced changes in popular music culture, especially when they were beginning to be seen (unfortunately and incorrectly) as a band of the past. Because of this, Standing On The Edge slipped through the cracks, allowing some really fine moments to go almost completely unnoticed, with the better known (and outstanding) track "Tonight It's You" as the only real exception.

Several songs come to mind, such as the bluesy and dancable "How About You," a tight song of perfect length, clocking in at just under three minutes. Although some criticize the use of synthesizers in this album, the synthesizers enhance rather than impede this track. There is also "This Time Around," a fresh and uplifting song which contains some of Rick Nielsen's most gorgeous guitar work. "Cover Girl" is also attractive as a fast-paced song with nice vocals by Robin Zander.

The fact that "Love Comes" never became widely known is a real tragedy. The 30 second sample on this page does not do it justice - it is one of the most inspired and outstandingly sincere songs ever written by the band (and for those who have heard the hired songwriter rumor, that person [M. Radice] is not a credited participator on this track as he is on the others). It is hard for me to deny while listening to it that it possibly could have made the top 10 if it had been promoted more as a single.

A few of the tracks are likely to come accross as flawed on the first listen (the reason I give a 4 instead of 5) - mainly the synthesizers in "This Time Around" and the title track, and the gratuitous effects (vocal and other) in "She's Got Motion," "Little Sister," "Rock All Night," and "Wild Wild Women" employed (often inappropriately) to reinforce the strong sexual themes of these songs (which may be a turn-off for some).

Despite these details, ALL of the tracks have great moments, and they all can be enjoyed, and very much so. The thing to keep in mind is that this is not an album that can be appreciated easily for most people the first time listening to it. One must hear it several times over a long period to let it ripen. Some of the songs (less so the ones mentioned in the fifth paragraph) have a very comforting kind of style and feel, a kind of peace and calm that is even reflected in the attractive cover art, but to enjoy all the tracks an unusual approach is needed based on the unusual circumstances that make this album exactly what it is.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Flashy, trashy fun -- with a couple brilliant ballads, February 9, 2003

By 

Billucy "Billucy" (Raleigh, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Standing on the Edge (Audio CD)

Mixing arena-rock flamethrowers, stunningly effective ballads and a bit of their old mischief, Cheap Trick comes up with a rockin' good record. Most folks only remember the brilliant "Tonight It's You," but the sweet and sincere "Loves Come Around" is almost as potent. Best of all are a handful of giddy rockers -- the hyperactive "How 'Bout You," "Little Sister" and the mighty title track. After watering down their bombast to suit producer Todd Rungren on "Next Position Please," Trick sounds delighted to crank up the amps once again. While "Standing..." is a far cry from the glory days of "In Color" and "Heaven Tonight," the band wouldn't sound this convincing again until the great "Cheap Trick '97."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Trick, July 6, 2010

By 

G. Smith (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Standing on the Edge (Audio CD)

There is a lot of debate on the CT website about whether or not these Wounded Bird reissues are remastered, and while I'm not enough of an audiophile to make a definitive case one way or another, I can say that this version of "Standing On The Edge" sounds markedly better than the original CBS release: the album sounds louder, fuller, and possesses more depth all around. Also, there is no tape hiss evident on this release. Unfortunately, this is not the Trick's finest musical moment, as there is lots of gimmicky mid-80s production throughout and a few sub-par songwriting attempts to compete with then-popular hair bands and techno pop acts ("Rock All Night," "Love Comes."). However, the album includes four genuine CT classics in "Tonight It's You," "This Time Around," Cover Girl," and the title track, the latter of which has never before been avaiable in a version that sounds this good. Well worth the $12 price for completists looking to upgrade.