Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This album is a lot better than most people give it credit for, this from a musicians point of view - maybe it sounds different to me because I was a fan of the band from nearly the beginning. Another step down the "heavy production path" that was taking them farther away from their roots as a straight up rock band.
Still, you can't really go wrong with George Martin at the helm and Rick must've been in absolute heaven at this point of his life. Not only was he working with George Martin but around this same period he and Tom had worked with John Lennon on early recordings of Double Fantasy. I would have to assume Rick was on cloud 9 at about this time. The production is pretty lush, there is a consistency throughout the album that I really like. Even when there are strings they are not sappy arrangements like those found on the Dream Police album. The arrangements really fit the songs and this is what George Martin brings to the plate so well.
This re-mastered version "un-muddies" some of the tunes and brings back a broader spectrum of sound and better separation.
On to the songs -
Stop This Game - A really great song that sets the tone for the whole album - there's some great bass work by Tom Peterson going on throughout this song. It's very subtle but he sets some melodies of his own that play against some of vocal lines. Very cool.
Just Got Back - a very good rocker, if produced differently it would have fit well on Heaven Tonight
Baby Loves To Rock - pretty average. the best part is probably the solo section where Rick is doing his "Comedy Guitar" schtick and you get a nice earful of 12 string bass in one gap. You just never know about Rick Nielsen . . . . he's completely capable of tearing off fiery guitar solos where he can make the guitar wail and groan. . . . but sometimes he just likes to go corny and throw in a goof off solo. That's Rick.
Can't Stop It But I'm Gonna Try - This is actually a cool song. Under-rated. It's got a great melody to the verses and even a little snippet of the Donovan "Sunshine Superman" melody on the "and don't think I ever think about you" lines. I didn't care for the song much for years and then after years of not hearing it - I loved it.
World's Greatest Lover - well this is just an amazing song. Can't say enough about how moving and beatiful a love song this is.
High Priest Of Rythmic Noise - One of my 2 favorite songs on the album. This cacophony of organized mayhem is just one of the coolest tunes to crank up loud and shout along with in the car. Love the piano getting pounded on in the background wall of noise - complete chaos.
Love Comes A-Tumblin' Down - my OTHER favorite track on the album. This song shreds from the opening drum beats to Rick's "one note" solo. Robin's vocals just rip and the lyrics are a pastiche of classic 50's & 60's rock songs.
I Love You Honey But I Hate Your Friends - Don't care for the song itself much - but Tom Peterson just goes ape on bass on this one - and it's hard to miss since the bass is mixed right in your face throughout. Love the bass line, not crazy about the song.
Go For The Throat - not great. not poor. Tom's bass is front and center again and really takes the lead role.
Who d'King - Cheap Trick's answer to Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk". Kinda fun. I'm glad it's on there.
Then there are the Bonus Tracks from Found All the Parts.
Everything Works if You let It - is a fun pop tune.
Daytripper - ROCKS. It may be one of the best Beatles covers by anyone EVER.
Can't Hold On - is a great moody live track. A nicely written piece of music by Rick.
Such A Good Girl - Cheap Trick Pop the way few bands can write and sing it. So catchy you can't stand it.
Take Me I'm Yours - Very indicative of early, EARLY Cheap Trick when they were still "finding themselves". Not a bad song - not great.
All Shook Up may not be everyone's cup of tea but it has moments of pure rock brilliance with a consistent sound that ties it all together.
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Exclusive Japanese limited edition digitally remastered reissue of this 1980 album, packaged in a miniature LP sleeve featuring five bonus tracks: 'Everything Works If You Let It', 'Day Tripper' (Live), 'Can't Hold On' (Live), 'Such a Good Girl' (Live) and 'Take Me I'm Yours' (Live). CBS. 2006--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.
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