Cheap Trick have gone and pulled a rabbit out of a hat with ‘Rockford’. This is a real surprise. A total gem. Even more weird is the fact that although the influences are obviously sixties and seventies (Beatles, Jeff Lynne etc.) ‘Rockford’ doesn’t sound that dated. It’s fresh, vibrant and even quite heavy mental (correct spelling) at times.  

You see Cheap Trick have always been a bit inconsistent in the past. Their biggest selling album is the 'Live At Budokan' set which of course culled the best from their back catalogue at the time. Yet here every song is well crafted. The production modern and full of interesting textures. The guitars, heavy, when needed, and Zander’s voice has regained its zest of old. 

Amazingly this is the same line up of old too. These guys must really get along to have survived the slings and arrows of a million different metal cultures since their debut in 1977. It certainly helps add to the integrity of ‘Rockford’. Opener ‘Welcome to the World’ sets the pace and there isn’t a duff track to be found thereafter.  

Songs like the Beatle-esque ‘O Claire’ sit well with the very rocky and surprisingly heavy ‘Come on Come on’ and it’s a joy to listen to a band that seem to have somehow regained their lost fire. Don’t let the above Jeff Lynne reference put you off either – Nielson’s stabby, grungy guitar always keeps things on the tasteful side of heavy and really this album deserves to put the Trick back on the rock map.  

Yes folks. Pop Rock is back on the menu. And Cheap Trick have showed that you can roll back the years and be vital and credible at the same time. Definitely worth checking out if melodic rock is your thing.

Let Us Know Your Views On 'Rockford'

Track List

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
Every Night And Every Day
Dream The Night Away
All Those Years
Decaf

Line Up

Robin Zander - Vocals
Rick Nielson - Guitars
Bun E Carlos - Drums
Tom Petersson - Bass