Rockford [Digipak] by Cheap Trick (CD, Jun-2006, 2 Discs, Big3 Records)

Cheap Trick has reached a new plateau in the world of Power Pop Rock. "Rockford," their latest album, is a great listen from start to finish. Not one clinker in the crowd. If you listen all the way through each song, you’ll hear the full range of Robin Zander’s vocals, Rick Nielsen’s understated, but more varied than ever, guitar, powerful drumming by Bun E. Carlos and substantial bass from Tom Peterson. The overall sound of "Rockford" is in the minor key, with a certain longing feeling to almost every song. There is a touching melancholy to this music without as much outrageous foolishness of some of Cheap Trick’s earlier music or sappy radio-friendly music of their 90s output.
This is a band that knows its status in the music world, longs for the glories of the past, but forges on, with a wonderful sound for today, while looking forward to the future with no regrets. "Rockford" reminds me of the Beatles "Revolver," with song after memorable song that still stands up years after it was made. On this album, the vocals are up front, with Nielsen’s excellent falsetto backing up, responding to, and in harmony with Zander’s voice, which goes from a whisper, to a scream and all points in between. The rhythm section plays a big part, while the guitar experiments with single riffs, kazoo sounds, startling swings, and psychedelic noise at the end. Robin’s real voice is used throughout - no electronic trickery. Cheap Trick produced Rockford themselves, and it shows their true unaltered greatness. What you hear is what they played and sang in the studio. No gimmicks that rely on computers to duplicate.
The lyrics on many of the songs are filled with witty wordplay and references to their own previous songs, other songs on the album, and the songs of other people. All the words are well-chosen , and for the most part, show where Cheap Trick is now in it’s career, it’s relationship with the overall music business, and it’s faithful fans.
Here's a song-by-song review of "Rockford":
“Welcome to the world, it’s a brand new day!” is how the album starts out. "Welcome to the World" is a powerful song that pulls us into their world.
"Perfect Stranger" - "Don’t need another perfect stranger driving me insane, constantly saying it’s time for you to change.” How true.
"If It Takes a Lifetime" - “All I want to do is just be with you,” Amen!
"Come On, Come On, Come On," a real rave-up rocker that you will remember for a long time. I guarantee you’ll be singing it long after the CD ends.
"O Claire" brings tears to my eyes. There are 2 parts: “Just Between the two of us” and “Bye bye love, goodbye, see you on the other side.” It’s a ballad, but not a sappy love song.
"This Time You Got It" - That’s for sure - they definitely got it- a near-perfect album and song.
"Give It Away is a hard charging song about throwing out all your bad memories and living life for today.
"One More" has a quirky, funky sound that reminds me of the Rolling Stones’ "Miss You."
"Every Night and Every Day" is about living life to the fullest.
Most Beatle-like song on the album, "Dream the Night Away", is the first of the power pop trio of tunes that end the disc.
"All Those Years" is a great looking-back song.
"Decaf" - The heaviest song ends the album, with vocals going faster and faster, repeating "It could happen to you," like a speed-freak's mantra.
All-in-all, a witty, touching, rousing CD from America's kings of power pop.