CHEAP TRICK - SPECIAL ONE (2003)

[RJhog (Admin)]

Occasionally, a band like Cheap Trick will throw in a song that is quite heavier than the rest of the album, like Do You Believe Me on the brand new one.  By the way, that is an old song to the band, recorded in the late nineties I believe.  On Special One, Sorry Boy is that song.  It may not be overly heavy from a musical standpoint, but something about Zander's vocal performance gives it a real heaviness, and I like it.  Special One followed Cheap Trick 1997 and, in my humble opinion, is a widely overlooked gem.  Of course, by 2003, no classic rock bands could get played on the radio, as this album didn't crack the Top 100 nor has it ever been certified.  But if you own the album and haven't listened to it in a long time, I urge you to dig it out and spin it.  The Beatles influence (and even some Tom Petty influence on the songs My Obsession and If I Could) really stands out. As a matter of fact, If the remaining members of the Traveling Wilburys and Robin Zander got together they could make an amazing cover of If I Could.  It's a terrific modern day pop song with a Tom Petty flavor.  I doubt this album will climb high on many folks list, but it's pretty high on mine.  The music the band made from 1990 up to this point was so much better than the 80's output, with the exception of Standing On The Edge and Lap of Luxury.  Question is, do you even own the album?  I'm guessing the answer is no.

Album Ranking:

1. Standing On The Edge

2. In Color

3. Dream Police

4. Cheap Trick (1997)

5. Cheap Trick (1977)

6. Heaven Tonight

7. Special One

8. At Budokan (Live)

9. Busted

10. Lap Of Luxury

11. Woke Up With A Monster

12. All Shook Up

13. Next Position Please

14. One On One

15. Found All The Parts (EP)

16. The Doctor

RJ's Ultimate Cheap Trick Playlist:

1. Hot Love

2. He's A Whore

3. Mandocello

4. Oh Candy

5. Hello There

6. Big Eyes

7. Oh Caroline

8. Clock Strikes Ten

9. Southern Girls

10. Come On, Come On

11. So Good To See You

12. Surrender

13. On Top Of The World

14. California Man

15. Auf Wiedersehen

16. Ain't That A Shame (Live)

17. I Want You To Want Me (Live)

18. Dream Police

19. Way Of The World

20. This House Is Rockin'

21. Gonna Raise Hell

22. Voices

23. Writing On The Wall

24. I Know What I Want

25. Need Your Love

26. Can't Hold On

27. Such A Good Girl

28. Take Me I'm Yours

29. Stop This Game

30. Just Got Back

31. Can't Stop It But I'm Gonna Try

32. If You Want My Love

33. She's Tight

34. I Can't Take It

35. Little Sister

36. Tonight It's You

37. Love Comes

38. Standing On The Edge

39. This Time Around

40. Cover Girl

41. The Flame

42. Wrong Side Of Love

43. Ghost Town

44. Back 'n Blue

45. If You Need Me

46. Can't Stop Falling Into Love

47. You Drive, I'll Steer

48. Had To Make You Mine

49. Never Run Out Of Love

50. Didn't Know I Had It

51. Tell Me Everything

52. Anytime

53. Hard To Tell

54. Carnival Game

55. You Let A Lotta People Down

56. Say Goodbye

57. Wrong All Along

58. It All Comes Back To You

59. Too Much

60. Special One

61. Pop Drone

62. My Obsession

63. Sorry Boy

64. If I Could