Ticket 2 Ride

Is Cheap Trick still alive? Heck yes! All Washed Up dropped recently their 21st studio album. That’s amazing. Rick Nielsen (guitars/vocals), Robin Zander (lead vocals/guitars)and Tom Petersson (bass/vocals) are still at it. Not bad for more than 50 years of playing together.

If you are wondering whether this band still has it, they do. I’ve been following them closely in recent years and anxiously await each new release. While Zander may not have the vocal power and reach he did 30 years ago, he’s still got plenty in the tank. Petersson has never gotten the credit he deserves, especially since he plays a 12-string bass and has a knack for pushing the melody forward while locking in the beat. Nielsen is still a monster on guitar. No player peels off the riffs as well as he does, like the tons of guitar picks he tosses to the audience, he has a limitless number of grooves.

The band now includes Nielsen’s son Daxx Nielsen on drums, and Zander’s son on guitar and vocals, Robin Taylor Zander. There’s no chance of a power shortage with these young guys on guitar and drums. Perhaps they will carry on the tradition someday but I hope it’s not for a while. Cheap Trick has always been about energy and amazing melodic hooks, and the Beatle comparisons, Badfinger comparisons would be closer to the truth, are still in order.

Cheap Trick still tours relentlessly, and every few years release a new set of songs. Even though legacy bands don’t sell a lot of new studio albums, I’m glad they go to the trouble. All Washed Up is terrific.

I wasn’t always a Cheap Trick fan, I couldn’t quite get into them in the 1970s, especially that Cheap Trick at Budokan album. Despite Tommy Johnson playing that album over and over, it did grow on me. In the 1980s, during their “The Flame” period, although that was a song written by outside writers. That was also a period where the record label was trying to push them for hits, with songs and a production sound that gave them a generic sheen. Thankfully, they survived those years and returned to writing rock and roll and calling their own shots.

“All Washed Up” leads off, it’s fast, noisy and has angry guitars.

“All Wrong Long Gone” is slightly less energetic, but just as noisy. Zander seems to be screaming his vocals. Very melodic beneath the wailing guitars. Peterson’s bass work is great.

“The Riff That Won’t Quit” is even noisier if that’s possible. Nielsen shreds it on guitar. This is not high art, it’s rock and roll.

“Bet it All” is a slow, grinding rocker.

“The Best Thing” is a slow, power-ballad. Zander sings it with mostly a straight face. The guitar solo has a Beatlesque quality to it.

“Twelve Gates” a pleasing song, again, Beatlesque in tone and stacked harmonies. This is the first single from the album.

“Bad Blood” is a hopeful look at a broken relationship. This is no wimpy, remorseful song, it’s about moving on. The music is hard-edged.

“Dancin’ With the Band” This is a good-time, party song at full volume.

“Love Gone” downshifts to a slower, mellower groove for this power ballad. Even their ballads have an edge to them.

“A Long Way to Worchester” keeps a fast groove, but a lower volume. It’s more of a singalong, with a traveling groove.

“Wham Boom Bang” is a corny, bouncy song. Enough said.

The album clocks in at just under 40 minutes for the eleven songs. The songwriting is credited to Nielsen, Zander and Petersson, except for “Twelve Gates” and “A Long Way to Worchester.”

Produced by Julian Raymond and Cheap Trick. Raymond is a frequent collaborator with Cheap Trick, he’s also worked with Glen Campbell, Fleetwood Mac, Albert Lee, Hank Williams, Jr., and many others. This album captures Cheap Trick doing what they do best, and that’s perfect for me.