Tag: World's Greatest Lover

Cheap Trick – ‘Love to Rock’ (1988) – Album Review (the Cheap Trick Collection Series)

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic16 Comments

Back in the 80’s, record companies would put out compilations on cassette only. They weren’t really official band releases, but the labels did it anyway. While I was at a record show, I found this tape by Cheap Trick that I had never seen before. It was a CBS Special Product and it was only available on cassette. It is called “Love to Rock” and it is a short compilation of Cheap Trick songs from 1977 up to the 80’s. This was released back in 1988 and I am sure was to capitalize on the band’s new popularity with their new hit “The Flame”, which isn’t on here by the way.

For fun, let’s go through the track list and see what they gave us. Not a bade tracklist, but might not be one I would’ve chosen, but what I do know, I’m not a suit at a record company that has no idea what the buying public really wants.

Side One kicks off with “I Want You To Want Me” from the 1977 album ‘In Color’. The first single and one of their most well-known songs is up next. “I Want You To Want Me” did nothing as a single and didn’t chart, not until it was released as a single off Budokan and we will talk about that in a couple reviews. This version doesn’t have the energy as the live version, but doesn’t mean it isn’t good. The song is a real treat as it is so playful and a finger-snapping good time. There is a some cool guitar picking with almost a country twang and a piano interlude that is fast and frenzied. The song might like the power of the live version, but you can’t deny its whimsical stylings.

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Cheap Trick – ‘All Shook Up’ (1980) – Album Review (The Cheap Trick Collection Series)

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Cheap Trick was in high gear and on a tremendous pace of album/tour, album/tour and it was getting relentless. After the massive success of Budokan and Dream Police, they went to work on the next album, but this time around they were wanting to try something different. The first thing they did was part ways with long time producer, Tom Werman, who had produced everything except the debut.

The band had always been considered an American version of the Beatles and since they were huge fans of them, why not work with the one of the most famous producers, the fifth Beatle, George Martin. So off to London they went and recorded the album at Air Studios in London. Of course this was a big change for the band and their sound. Gone were the radio-friendly singles and in was a more experimental sound. They took chances and tried new things and whether for the better or not, we will shortly find out.

The band was still in tact with Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson and Bun E. Carlos. They finished up the album, but by the time it was done, Tom Petersson was exhausted. He was done as well. The non-stop touring and add to the fact he was not thrilled with the direction of the band and he didn’t even bother showing up in London when it was time to mix the album. And by August 26, 1980, Tom left the band to go record his own album with his wife. Who I think the band feels was part of his problem. Maybe she was their Yoko. The band pressed on and the album saw its release on October 24, 1980.

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