Product ReviewsRockford by Cheap Trick (CD, 2006)

Rockford: Absolute Essential for All Rock-N-Roll Folk

I bought this copy of "Rockford" to replace my first copy (lost/stolen CD case). This is actually my 5th copy, as "Rockford" is a terrific gift that gives endless hours of pleasure to rock-n-roll fans across the generations. "Rockford" is the type of album one can play straight through, over and over again. There ARE NO bad cuts! Every single song has a hook and a message that will grab and make you want to know more.

Of course, I have my favorites: "If It Takes a Lifetime" would/should have soared to a number #1 single--if given the same promotion and radio play as today's no-talent bubble-gum pop songs! "This Time We Got It" portrays a band (Cheap Trick?), creating & rockin' together for over 30 years, that has finally arrived with the perfect album. There is an 80's ELO flavor in the way this song churns.

If you have trouble getting out of bed or getting motivated, play "Come On, Come On, Come On"--trust me, it works. For those who have ever struggled with addictions, "One More" and "Decaf" describe the desperate mindset of a crazed junkie. "Welcome to the World" celebrates the birth of new life, and undoubtedly, a new generation of rock. "Perfect Stranger" (cowritten w/outside help) was released as the first single and evidently targeted for the younger "don't tell me what to do" generation.

"Oh Claire" may initially sound strange until you realize that Rick Nielsen (lead guitarist) and not Robin Zander (lead vocalist) sings the opening and closing verses. This song is a hauntingly beautiful scenario of saying goodbye to a loved one. "Give It Away" is parental wisdom (rarely given in such a cool rock format) that implores youth (or any of us) to beware the world's evils and value themselves. "Every Night and Every Day" quite tunefully explores the routine ruts we find ourselves in. "Dream the Night Away" is just a darned good pop song that contains lyrics we can all identify with. "All Those Years" is more melancholy in mood, but nonetheless easy to listen to.

Cheap Trick's quality of sound and creativity has only improved over the years. I know of no other rock band that sounds this good (recorded AND live) after 33 years of making music together. Robin Zander's vocals continue to be incredibly strong and pitch-perfect. Rick Nielsen's energy appears to be boundless. Tom Petersson's 12-string bass delivers like no other. Bun E. Carlos' precise drumming never misses a beat. These guys are the pros, the aces of Rock--and arguably the most un-appreciated and un-recognized band in the world.

"Rockford" is worth purchasing--over and over again. Can't wait for the next Cheap Trick album!Read full review...

Cheap Trick's Rockford

Cheap Trick has reached a new plateau in the world of Power Pop Rock. Rockford, their latest album, is a great listen from start to finish. Not one clinker in the crowd. If you listen all the way through each song, you’ll hear the full range of Robin Zander’s vocals, Rick Nielsen with his understated, but more varied than ever guitar, powerful drumming by Bun E. Carlos and substantial bass from Tom Peterson.
The overall sound of Rockford is in the minor key, with a certain longing feeling to almost every song. There is a touching melancholy to this music without as much outrageous foolishness of some of Cheap Trick’s earlier music or sappy radio-friendly music of their 90s output. This is a band that knows its status in the music world, longs for the glories of the past, but forges on, with a wonderful sound for today, while looking forward to the future with no regrets.
Rockford reminds me of the Beatles Revolver, with song after memorable song that still stands up years after it was made. On this album, the vocals are up front, with Nielsen’s excellent falsetto backing up, responding to, and in harmony with Zander’s voice, which goes from a whisper, to a scream and all points in between. The rhythm section plays a big part, while the guitar experiments with single riffs, kazoo sounds, startling swings, and psychedelic noise at the end.
Robin’s real voice is used throughout - no electronic trickery. Cheap Trick produced Rockford themselves, and it shows their true unaltered greatness. What you hear is what they played and sang in the studio. No gimmicks that rely on computers to duplicate. The lyrics on many of the songs are filled with witty wordplay and references to their own previous songs, other songs on the album, and the songs of other people. All the words are well-chosen , and for the most part, show where Cheap Trick is now in it’s career, it’s relationship with the overall music business, and it’s faithful fans.
For a complete review, visit my blog at http://omaharocks.spaces.live.com
or my eBay blog, RockinOmaha at http://blogs.ebay.com/kwirkshop.Read full review...

Spitfire Rock!

Cheap Trick, is in the zone! The masters of rock, perform with confidence, while bombarding your ear with aggressive guitar and vibrant rhythm. It's a huge sound with biting riffs and catchy hooks. Robin's voice is gold, as always. "Welcome To The World," kicks it all off with energy. Robin Taylor Zander does background vocals on "If It Takes A Lifetime." The melodic rocker "Come On Come On Come On," is infectious. "O Claire" has very touching vocals. "Dream The Night Away" makes me melt. My favorite is, "Decaf," co-produced by Jack Douglas. This song is a powerhouse. I can't get enough of it. Every track is wonderful.

This CD is named after the IL, town of Rockford, where CT band members grew up in or near. I think it's one of CT's best CD's and highly recommend it.

Songs on CD:
WELCOME TO THE WORLD
PERFECT STRANGER
IF IT TAKES A LIFETIME
COME ON COME ON COME ON
O CLAIRE
THIS TIME YOU GOT IT
GIVE IT AWAY
ONE MORE
EVERY NIGHT AND EVERY DAY
DREAM THE NIGHT AWAY
ALL THOSE YEARS
DECAFRead full review...

Rockford - Cheap Trick's 2006 masterpiece!

Cheap Trick has reached a new plateau in the world of Power Pop Rock. "Rockford," their latest album, is a great listen from start to finish. Not one clinker in the crowd. If you listen all the way through each song, you’ll hear the full range of Robin Zander’s vocals, Rick Nielsen’s understated, but more varied than ever, guitar, powerful drumming by Bun E. Carlos and substantial bass from Tom Peterson. The overall sound of "Rockford" is in the minor key, with a certain longing feeling to almost every song. There is a touching melancholy to this music without as much outrageous foolishness of some of Cheap Trick’s earlier music or sappy radio-friendly music of their 90s output.
This is a band that knows its status in the music world, longs for the glories of the past, but forges on, with a wonderful sound for today, while looking forward to the future with no regrets. "Rockford" reminds me of the Beatles "Revolver," with song after memorable song that still stands up years after it was made. On this album, the vocals are up front, with Nielsen’s excellent falsetto backing up, responding to, and in harmony with Zander’s voice, which goes from a whisper, to a scream and all points in between. The rhythm section plays a big part, while the guitar experiments with single riffs, kazoo sounds, startling swings, and psychedelic noise at the end. Robin’s real voice is used throughout - no electronic trickery. Cheap Trick produced Rockford themselves, and it shows their true unaltered greatness. What you hear is what they played and sang in the studio. No gimmicks that rely on computers to duplicate.
The lyrics on many of the songs are filled with witty wordplay and references to their own previous songs, other songs on the album, and the songs of other people. All the words are well-chosen , and for the most part, show where Cheap Trick is now in it’s career, it’s relationship with the overall music business, and it’s faithful fans.
Here's a song-by-song review of "Rockford":
“Welcome to the world, it’s a brand new day!” is how the album starts out. "Welcome to the World" is a powerful song that pulls us into their world.
"Perfect Stranger" - "Don’t need another perfect stranger driving me insane, constantly saying it’s time for you to change.” How true.
"If It Takes a Lifetime" - “All I want to do is just be with you,” Amen!
"Come On, Come On, Come On," a real rave-up rocker that you will remember for a long time. I guarantee you’ll be singing it long after the CD ends.
"O Claire" brings tears to my eyes. There are 2 parts: “Just Between the two of us” and “Bye bye love, goodbye, see you on the other side.” It’s a ballad, but not a sappy love song.
"This Time You Got It" - That’s for sure - they definitely got it- a near-perfect album and song.
"Give It Away is a hard charging song about throwing out all your bad memories and living life for today.
"One More" has a quirky, funky sound that reminds me of the Rolling Stones’ "Miss You."
"Every Night and Every Day" is about living life to the fullest.
Most Beatle-like song on the album, "Dream the Night Away", is the first of the power pop trio of tunes that end the disc.
"All Those Years" is a great looking-back song.
"Decaf" - The heaviest song ends the album, with vocals going faster and faster, repeating "It could happen to you," like a speed-freak's mantra.
All-in-all, a witty, touching, rousing CD from America's kings of power pop.Read full review...

Rockfoprd- Cheap Trick

In the 70s, a groups of young men emerged from the garage with a very good sound. One so good, they did release three albums- Cheap Trick, In Color, and Heaven Tonight. But it was not only on record that they had a very good sound, because not only did they rock the casbah, they rocked the Budokan. They were indeed, very very good. So good that In Color was nominated as one of the best albums of the last 50 years, and Budokan is considered one of the best live records ever made. Then they made Dream Police, and life went on.

But something happened. Maybe they were abducted by aliens, or coporate music execs (and some would wonder at the difference, but this is not the place for that discussion.) But it all went horribly wrong. They looked the same, they sounded the same, some of the music was the same, but at the same time, it wasn't.. It just wasn't happening. And as time moved on, so did their fans.

After 25 years, they did have a concert, an anniversary concert, and they played some of The Old Stuff. And behold, it was very good, and even some of the new stuff sounded very good with it.

And they found in them the old Cheap Trick. To cut the long story short-

Rockford is by the same band that brought you Cheap Trick, In Color, and Heaven Tonight. It is by the same band that brought you Budokan.

If you are sick of Idol, if you tire of music that's just like everyone elses, if you are sick of manufactured music and disposable stars, and long back for those times when a record wanted to make you GET UP AND ROCK!!!!! then buy Rockford. It's that simple.

Rockford is good. It is very, very good.

Welcome back boys. We missed you.Read full review...

Cheap Trick (Rockford)

This Cd would have been really liked by many if the band would have released it many years ago!!! It is one of the best for this band!! It has the hint of the Beatles and of a more current style of music!! I just couldn't believe how good it really was!!! The more I listen to it, the better I like it!! If you are a Cheap Trick fan like myself, you would very surprised how well written and played this music is!!! This is a timeless band that needs some good airplay for this Cd!!!Read full review...

Cheap Trick Always Satisfies

I'm not inclined to write reviews of just any music. If I buy it, 98% of the time I've already heard and liked it. Some bands we buy because we're fans, and this is one of those bands. Cheap Trick are consistently good at what they do, and if I ever heard they were about to float a stinker on unsuspecting fans, well I'd just buy it anyway. This one take a second good listen to get into, but you will rock to these tunes. If you can't find a few good tunes on this record, then you probably aren't a fan of good rock music anyway.Read full review...

Buy your Rockford

Their best sound in years, buy it or you have missed a jem. Radio shouldn't ignore this album!!!!!!! If you ever liked Cheap Trick, this is a must have for you. Get it fast and enjoy the summer.!!!!

Earsplitting headache in a box - extremely poorly brick wall mastered

Absolutely ear splitting brick walled mastering. Completely unlistenable as a result of extreme compression and limiting. I couldn’t dump this ice pick in the ears migraine fast enough. Sad because the music was awesome and the best they’ve done in years.Read full review...

Verified purchase: No

Cheap Trick

Good

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: nbar3203