Rockford

Not many bands on the planet could deliver this good a record 30 years into their career. There are standout, all-time Cheap Trick tunes here: namely "Decaf", "One More", "O Claire" and "Perfect Stranger". And I can't write a review for Rockford without calling out the clueless review (from All Music I believe) suggesting this album "came out of the blue". Cheap Trick's catalog is far stronger than writer knows. All Shook Up, One on One, Next Position Please, Woke Up With a Monster and Cheap Trick '97 are all just as good...

Essential: All Those Years / If Takes A Lifetime / Give It Away / Perfect Stranger Others: O Claire / Welcome To The World / This Time You Got It

Cheap Trick will always be the most popular power pop band of all time, and they are very much deserving of that title. The later half of the 70s saw a string of releases that would go on to become some of the greatest rock records, and arguably the best live album next to The Who's "Live at Leeds". With the self-titled debut, In Colour, Heaven Tonight, At Budokan, and Dream Police, Cheap Trick had the mainstream success that Big Star and The Raspberries sadly never saw. They were the most accessible of the power pop bands, crafting songs that were wonderfully melodic yet loud enough to appeal to the common arena rock fan of the 70s. Trick wasn't immune to record label pressure or MTV, though, and by the end of the 80s it was a surprise that they hadn't quit. Even though they had more success on corporate radio, their songs were getting weaker and their once raw sound now had nothing separating it from Journey or Def Leppard. And then, in 2006, they released this gem of a comeback record. It's got a catchy opener (Welcome to the World), some of the strongest melodies in their catalogue (O Claire), the purest power pop (All Those Years), and of course the loud melodic rockers that reminds us who inspired Kurt Cobain, Billy Corgan and Dave Grohl (Perfect Stranger, Give It Away, One More). I would recommend this album alongside their great albums of the 70s. It is a must own for any CT fan, or fan of power pop and good rock in general.

Their BESt Album

This is one of my favorite albums by Cheap Trick. They have a different sound compared to their classics, but it's still a very good album. If you only have a few dollars to spare and want to buy a few of these songs, I reccomend "If It Takes A Lifetime", "Come On Come On Come On", and "This Time You Got It" - these are my 3 favorites from this album. I highly reccomend not just those 3 songs, but the entire album - you won't regret buying it.

If such a thing as radio existed today like it did in the days of "Surrender" this cd would be all over it. Had this been the follow up to Buddokhan it would be a platinum seller. But that time is gone and Cheap Trick pull this release out of nowhere just to show every one else how to rock. If "Come On, Come On, Come On" doesn't get you up and moving head to the nearest ER to have your pulse checked. What a breath of fresh air this recording is! Turn it on and turn it up!

Another great album from Cheap Trick! I like all the songs, but Dream the Night Away is my favorite.

If you fell in love with Cheap Trick's Live At Budakon, and have since lost touch with them...find them again with this album, "Rockford". It's the BEST effort in a long time. The entire album is fantastic, fun to listen to on a drive, or ANYTIME. Try Cheap Trick's '97 release, "Cheap Trick" if you can find it. It's worth a purchase.

if you are just getting into ct i would skip this. try : ct 97 special one dream police one on one all shook up, these ones are good for starters. i've always liked ct's harder edged/ grittier songs. this cd is bland,boring, predictable,cheesy, bubble gum ,and very disappointing.. there are a few standouts that hold up to their stronger material like : oh claire if it takes a lifetime this time and clever: one more i really dont understand all the positives , it sounds like all filler songs

I admit I have a hometown bias, being born in the early 80's and having 3 older brothers blasting Cheap Trick in our house all day, but I just assumed their best work was made decades ago... sorry, it's the truth. I literally JUST discovered this album and couldn't a) believe this was Cheap Trick, b) that it was this good, and c) that it took me 2 years to stumble upon this. It's no 5-star classic, but it's certainly deserving of a strong 4 stars because the entire album is solid and can be listened to numerous times without getting old. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!