Rockford

Rockford is Cheap Trick’s second wind

30 years of musical career has had only a positive effect on the Cheap Trick’s creative works, this band still has something to say. After their self–titled album in 1997 where the band has shown that they still remember their hard rock roots and 2003’s Special One full of catchy melodies Cheap Trick are making Rockford, a set of their best finds forged in one whole thing. 90s were a really hard period for the band and it seemed that Cheap Trick would hardly announce another worthy record. Changes among musicians, label’s bankruptcy and not always successful experiments could not be of a great help for Cheap Trick. But as they say “What doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger”. The band has caught their second wind. They have recovered their classic lineup – vocalist Robin Zander, bassist Tom Petersson, drummer Bun E. Carlos and guitarist Rick Nielsen – all of whom still play as well as ever. Also some of those who were working with Cheap Trick in 70’s and later were engaged in studio works. But that is not just another reunion; this band wants to win back the merited status and it’s unlikely that Rockford is going to be the last album.

The band is going back to its original style

Rockford was named after the Cheap Trick’s hometown where the band was founded in late 60s. So it is no wonder that the аlbum turned out to be full of classic Cheap Trick songs. This is a peculiar alloy that consists of old pop-rock harmonies, crunchy guitars, solid sounding rhythm section and unforgettable melodies. Somehow Cheap Trick provided the necessary links between '60s pop, hard rock, and punk. The аlbum opens with energetic composition Welcome To The World. A great song, that sets the pace for the whole album. It gives the best fit in the role of a first track. Sure the hard rock songs are not the only ones, there are pop songs built upon the British Invasion, bittersweet ballads, even a little bit of disco-funk on One More. The mixture of so different sounds has made Rockford probably the most diverse аlbum of the band. And richness with melodies and vocal harmonies puts it on one shelf with the best Cheap Trick’s records.

Years make Cheap Trick’s music only better

In addition to many evident advantages of this album there is another one that emphasizes professional skills of musicians. After 14 official albums Cheap Trick managed to achieve their live concert sound in studio. So if you are curious to know how does Cheap Trick of today sounds while giving a live show, devote your attention to the work of a sound producer. Rockford is a magnificent record that is made by mature musicians with a wide experience. There is nothing out of place here. It sounds sincerely and even exciting and at the same time neatly and considered. After all these years and all those uneven albums, it's a bit of a surprise to have the band deliver an album this good completely out of the blue, but, as their catalog proves, Cheap Trick have never done things the easy way – and it's better to finally get a very, very good Cheap Trick record unexpectedly, some 27 years after the last good one, instead of not getting one at all. Despite it’s age Cheap Trick is still in a good shape. They can never unlearn to write songs.