It’s hard to believe that less than 18 months ago I was doing an album review for Cheap Trick’s latest outing ‘Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello!’. The reason? Because Cheap Trick have already released a new album with fresh material. That’s right, no greatest hits compilation. No live album disguised as a new record; although I do love live albums (in fact, I thought this album may be a live one when I first saw it’s album art). But no, it’s fresh, new material that’s some of Cheap Tricks best in their entire storied career. The lads from Rockford, IL are in their mid 60’s. For most bands that would be a time to slow down and simply tour on the hits; down tuning them to unrecognizable levels. But for Cheap Trick it’s a sign of a late career spur. After signing to Big Machine records and being inaugurated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cheap Trick released one of their best albums with ‘Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello’. Now, the band keeps the momentum rocketing with ‘We’re All Alright’!
The album kicks off in high gear times ten. ‘You Got It Going On’ and ‘Long Time Coming’ deliver a one, two punch that hasn’t been delivered on a Cheap Trick album like this since their debut 40 years ago. Bad ass riffs and grooves are mixed seamlessly with British invasion melodies and harmonies with a touch of punk added. Hands down two of my favorite Cheap Trick songs I’ve ever heard. That’s saying a lot. ‘Nowhere’ is a compact Cheap Trick thrill ride, complete with ‘Dream Police’ era strings. ‘Radio Lover’ is a typical rocker for any hard rock band. But Cheap Trick somehow seems to make the songs formula jump out of the speakers more than their contemporaries. ‘Lolita’ is just perfect. A moody, swinging groove piece with sexy, romantic lyrics and tremendous sing along melodies. “Brand New Name on an Old Tattoo’ keeps the moody swing moving forward, 100% guitaritude! It takes the album six tracks before getting to the first ballad ‘Floating Down’. Even then it’s a mid-tempo ballad. Not particularly slow. It just shows how much energy in this record. ‘She’s Alright’ keeps the same theme of mid-tempo ballads going. ‘Listen to Me’ will get anyone out of their seat with it’s surging power chords and aggressive riff. ‘The Rest of My Life’ goes back to catchy balladry. No complaints as it is truly catch as all hell. ‘Blackberry Way’ is the stand out track. Sort of the odd man out. Cheap Trick always loved doing the odd ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ sounding song and they came through. ‘Like a Fly’ shows how Robin Zander’s voice hasn’t aged one bit before closing with one of the most epic tracks in the entire Cheap Trick discography. ‘If You Still Want My Love’ is a ballad that’s more Cheap Trick than Cheap Trick. Displaying how they clearly influenced pretty much the entire Seattle scene of the late 80’s/early 90’s.
Overall this is an album for the record books. You thought ‘Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello!’ was good? Wait until you give this a spin. This album is time/space capsule worthy. As in sending out a probe into space with all of humanity’s accomplishments, this would be the album they’d put in to display what rock music truly is. Or at least it should be. Because it’s not only one of Cheap Tricks best albums ever. It’s also one of the best hard rock albums possibly ever made.
Just pure fucking rock! This is a band that cares.
‘Brand New Name’ is actually a revisited track from their 1997 comeback album. It never made the record. But now it’s having its day.
Unfortunately those were the only songs I could find. The album just came out yesterday after all. Go out and get it to truly experience the record. You won’t regret it.
