There is more snarl to opener, "Anytime," than most of the pretenders to the crown could muster for a whole CD. And things just get better from there. You get the wicked punkish bite of "Wrong All Along," the pitch perfect Beatle-esque single "Say Goodbye," and the most beautiful and intimate song the band has ever recorded with "Shelter." Every single song bristles with energy and memorable hooks, and there isn't a moment here where the band sounds forced (see "Lap Of Luxury" and "Busted"). All four Tricksters are at there finest form, manning their posts like they were a hungry young band and not the grizzled vets they are.

I recommend this to anyone who ever loved Cheap Trick at any stage in their career, or if good old fashioned power pop makes your heart beat just a little faster.


Living in Black and White, Dreaming In Color   October 29, 2001
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Back in 1997 Cheap Trick was finally getting their due. A great box set was out that showcased their trade mark sound, and a host of up and coming bands were giving Cheap Trick their props. Then Cheap Trick came out with this self titled, self produced cd, and jaws around the industry dropped. They made the perfect pop/rock record in the tradition of the Beatles, and the Kinks. How could a band in this stage of their career do this? After all most rock bands when they reach this stage of their career are forced to become a middle age over produced shadow of themselves. Cheap Trick, however took that myth and stood it upon its ear. There is not one mis-step here. Everything is dead on. From the growling "Anytime,"(One can here where Kurt Cobain learned his style) to the perfect pop of "Hard to Tell," and "Carnival Game," and the incredible "Say Goodbye," Cheap Trick had something to prove and prove it they did. There is power, hooks and wit on this cd that bands half their age would sell their soul to have. The most impressive thing about this cd was the sonic quality. Left to their own devices Cheap Trick nails their live sound for almost the first time on a studio recording. In other words they are ready and more than willing to rock. "Baby No More," "You Let a Lot of People Down," "Eight Miles Low," "Yeah, Yeah," "Wrong All Along," can all attest to this. This is the cd that Cheap Trick always had in them, but certain record labels would not let them make. To bad Red Ant went bankrupt soon after this cd was released or a lot of record industry people would have had to eat a lot of crow. This CD was not just one of the best cd's of 1997, but of the entire 90's. In a world full of dull gray bands that all sounded alike and dressed alike, this CD was like a full blast of color and personality all mixed together with a great sound that is timeless, and yes urgent as well. If you want a cd that combines the Beatles, Stones, The Who, the Move with a unique American twist that only Cheap Trick can provide, say hello to this cd. Don't be afraid this cd does not bite, unless you keep an eye on it,because it does have teeth.


trick or treat!   May 5, 2003
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

this is a tasty album. all the melodic ingredients were mixed just right for this release. these four musical chefs have cooked up a delicious serving of burgers and fries rock and roll. im still waiting for desert though. order this cd from the menu, you wont be dissapointed.


What a bunch of crappy crap doo!   June 24, 2004
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

ere, sorry let me state why the title is the way it is:

----being bored (like i usually am) i decided to look through my CD collection (some 350 odd cds WITH a printed list) and looked at this here CD. I almost threw up...because i remembered how i got it. Just so happened one day i went into a Dollar General for...something i forget and saw this CD...FOR 5 FREAKING DOLLARS!!!! Brand new never opened...i almost had a brain anursym (SP?) and on the spot payed for it and not for what i initally went in for. I strolled home and pulled in to the stereo and i listened to it...and i wanted to slap these Red Ant fools but i had never heard of such a company.

Now with the tracks:

1. Anytime: 4.5/5 I don't like the singing at the begining, but the chourus and the simple guitar work sticks!

2. Hard to Tell: 5/5 IT'S NOT THAT HARD TO TELL...this song has a great chorous and great drumming.

3. Carnival Game: 4.5/5 Don't ask me why but the piano bit at the begining followed by some power work from Rick really nails this song down.

4. Shelter: 3.5/5 I like it, but i'm personally not a huge slow song man.

5. You let a lot of people down: 5.5/5 This is all around greatness and is a reason this CD puts there 80's work to shame.

6. Baby No More: 4.5/5 By CT standards, quick and brutal with some funny but repetative vocals.

7. Yeah yeah: 5/5 I always dug this song don't ask me why but it's great...i would of liked it longer but hey.

8. Say Goodbye: 4/5 Not bad but is normal CT stuff.

9. Wrong all along: 4.5/5 quick (2:10) song and the ending is funny (Seems to me, oh my life is reallying goin' to hell)

10. Eight miles low: 5/5 the lyrics are weird as hell but the instrumental part is great.

11. All comes back to you: 3/5 Okay song.

Overall: 4.9/5 This marked something of a comeback for the guys known as Cheap Trick, proving that they are not dead but rather taking sometime off to find there true sound: god forbid we got another CD like The Doctor or Standing on the Edge again!


Cheap Trick - self-titled (Red Ant)   March 18, 2005
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Might be a bit confusing for some,because the band's very first album was self-titled,wasn't it?To those of you who've wondered about the where abouts of Cheap Trick,they've never gone anywhere.Often,maybe there are certain cities they just skip playing for awhile.'Cheap Trick' is sure to truely satisfy any and all long time fans.Plus,I've usually seen this disc priced rather low.I've always considered the guys to be 'heavy pop' and that's just what they are.Best tracks are the single "Say Goodbye","It All Comes Back To You","Wrong All Along","Anytime" and "Hard To Tell".As for the line-up,yes I've had others ask me about that.It's all original,Robin-vocals,Rick-guitar,Tom-bass and Bun E.-drums.If you don't know their last names,YOU seriously need to relocate to another planet.