Classic Rock Bottom


  1. "Sleep Forever" - 1:37
  2. "When The Lights Are Out" (Slade cover) - 3:26
  3. "Miss Tomorrow" - 4:11
  4. "Sick Man of Europe" - 2:08
  5. "These Days" - 2:44
  6. "Miracle" - 3:47
  7. "Everyday You Make Me Crazy" - 1:17
  8. "California Girl" - 2:47
  9. "Everybody Knows" - 4:16
  10. "Alive" - 3:36
  11. "Times of Our Lives" - 3:59
  12. "Closer, The Ballad of Burt and Linda" - 3:00
  13. "Smile" - 4:12
This week's AOTW is the latest offering from Cheap Trick, aptly titled "The Latest".  This album was requested by Niels and a strong second was offered up by Scott.  "The Latest" was released June 23,
2009.  It was released on CD, vinyl and 8-track.  This led to the
constant statement by Rick Nielsen that Cheap Trick had the best selling
8-track on any given day.  The artwork for this one isn't anything
special, but I wish they would have done the two dudes on front, two
dudes on back thing they are famous for. 
 
According to Wikipedia, "Sleep Forever" was written for a friend.  I've read somewhere that it was a former roadie, but I can't substantiate that.  Robin Zander's voice shows true form right out of
the gate.  "When The Lights Are Out" is a Slade cover.  I guess
eventually I'm gonna have to check Slade out, it seems like they are
always being covered by somebody.  Anyway, CT does a great job and makes
it sound like one of their own.  I really like the next song, "Miss
Tomorrow".  This was a B-side from Zander's 1993 solo album.  It's a
definite hidden gem.  The first single off of the album was "Sick Man Of
Europe".  What a wicked bass line on this song.  It seems like Rick
Nielsen was in a band of the same name many years ago.  How many bands,
other than CT, still write lead singles that are less than 2 & 1/2
minutes?  Probably none.  That's one thing I really love about
CT.   
 
Next up is "These Days".  This is sort of a power ballad and it somewhat reminds me of "The Flame".  This song is perfect for Robin Zander.  "Miracle" brings us our second ballad in a row.  That's a
little strange, but I don't mind.  Robin is so good on these, and this
one makes me think of The Beatles.  I really like Rick's guitar playing
on this as well.  The next song, "Everyday You Make Me Crazy" is typical
CT, and it's over (1 minute, 17 seconds) before it gets going good.  
Wikipedia says it was written by the band as a Pepsi jingle. 
"California Girl" is okay, but not as good as CT's previous song
"California Man".
 
The last third of the album starts out with my favorite on the album, "Everybody Knows".  This is a superb power ballad and again, it really makes me think of The Beatles.  I don't think I'm going out on a
limb when I say CT was influenced by The Fab Four.  I dig that little
keyboard part in the song.  "Alive" definitely has a "Dream Police"
keyboard vibe.  According to Wikipedia, it's a re-worked version of an
outtake from the Rockford album.  "Times Of Our Lives" is almost another
power ballad.  It's not great, but it's not bad either.  The last 2
songs that close the album out are again ballads.  I don't really care
for "Closer, The Ballad Of Burt And Linda", but "Smile" is typical Cheap
Trick.   With wonderful vocals by Robin, I like this song much better. 
 
Overall, I highly recommend this album.  It's got that classic Cheap Trick sound, yet it sounds current as well.  You can get it from Amazon for about 12 dollars new, which isn't bad considering the great
music involved. 
 
Singles
 
Sick Man Of Europe
When The Lights Go Out
 
Best Album Cuts
 
Miss Tomorrow
These Days
Miracle
Everybody Knows
Alive
Smile
 
Hidden Gems
 
Miss Tomorrow
These Days
Everybody Knows

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ok, loved the first listen through, Im gonna do it again and see what sticks, but my first impression is this is very Beatlesque, the drum rolls in the last track -Smile- even sound like Ringo... This is the first time Ive heard the Beatles influence this strongly in any CT offereing Ive heard, I need to go back and listen to the back catalog closer also...

Great post...
Ahhh, now we're talking, but I have to wait to have a listen until monday, because I'm busy helping my mother with her garden this weekend, but as soon as I can, I listen, and give my little "review".
Are you guys burying somebody?? Just kiddin'.
We love Jon.....
Ok, it took me awhile, but I got it! I now feel a tear forming.


Hey...have I mentioned what a cool song "Sick Man Of Europe" is? No? IT IS!
Sleep Forever was written for a friend of guitarist Rick Nielsen. The person had worked for the band at one point and they got cancer and passed away.
Well, first of all, thanks for posting this, RJhog.

Second, I'm pretty amazed how good most of this album sounds, just like I was surprised over "Sonic boom".

The absolutlely best track is "Everybody knows", the best CT-number, I've heard since "All we need is a dream" from "Lap of Luxery", but also "Alive", "Miss Tomorrow", and the three last tracks are all very good.

CT have allways had that Beatles-sound, but never as much before, as on this album, and that's both good and bad. On "Closer (The ballad of Burt and Linda)", Zander almost sound like Liam Gallagher from Oasis, when he sings "Shiiiiine", and Gallagher sounds (too much) like Lennon imo.

Not all of the album is good, though. But overall it's a very good "new" Cheap Trick-album.

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