I love this album so much that I actually own an OBNOXIOUS YELLOW t-shirt of the album art, which I'm pictured wearing here. Rhea would be the one dressed more sensibly. |
Easiest review of the series: this is a flat-out modern
classic, easily the artistic equivalent of the band's first four studio
albums. No hyphens, no
qualifications. It's not "good for
a latter day effort" or "late career-good" or whatever other
condescending designation rock critics like to dump on good albums by old
bands. It's also not merely a good album
by an old band. Rockford is a career highlight for Cheap Trick, regardless of
backstory.
In fact, Rockford
wouldn't be a bad place to start for a neophyte. The album practically acts as a
career-to-date resume: first album style edgy rock? Check: "Decaf." Arena rock turned on its ear? Check: "Come On, Come On, Come
On". Power pop with overbite
intact? Check: the "Welcome to the
World" / "Perfect Stranger" one-two opening salvo. Gorgeous, non-formulaic semi-balladry? Check: "Dream the Night Away" may
be their best-ever in that style.
Filler? Negative, not one single
second. Personality? And then some.
It was a great time to be a fan. Generally speaking, artists do not make
records as fresh and inspired as this some twenty-nine years into their
recording careers. The Who or the
Rolling Stones could only dream of sounding half as relevant; Zeppelin and the
Beatles, of course, never made it this far.
Pink Floyd can get on their giant inflatable pig and just ride home, and
the roll call rattles on. I'm sure that
AC/DC and Motörhead admirers will argue in favor their heroes; while I'm a
fan of both, neither of those great bands have been as willing to stray from
their formula as Cheap Trick. If you can
name me another album this vital by a band approaching their fourth decade of
recording, I'd truly love to hear it.
I could go on for hours singing Rockford's praises. The
album was brilliant, and Rhea and I saw a number of great live gigs - now as a
couple! - in its wake. Instead of
listening to me repeat myself, though, I'd rather turn you loose in the hopes
that you'll go acquire a copy and give
it a spin for yourself. Hearing is
believing, folks.
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