Cheap Trick : All Washed Up

I’m pretty sure that every young rock n roller coming up in the Midwest and beyond had a Cheap Trick phase. It was a rite of passage, really. You were already exposed to the At Budokan version of “I Want You To Want Me”, as well as hearing “Surrender” ad nauseum enough to grow to love it, hate it, and then love it again. The band’s propensity for writing songs that were quick shots of 60s garage rock abandon, 70s punk rock squalor, and power pop sheen made them the perfect ear candy for the days of AOR rock stations. They even had a resurgence in the 80s with 1988 album Lap Of Luxury and both their cover of “Don’t Be Cruel” and ballad “The Flame”.

Somehow Rick Nielsen and company never really fell out of fashion. By the 90s they had established their place among rock and roll history, having been huge influences on most of the alt rock bands that were huge at the time including Nirvana, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, and Pearl Jam to name a few. Their records kept coming, even after original drummer Bun E. Carlos retired. And despite age Cheap Trick continued to make consistent albums, albeit with maybe a bit more filler. The band’s 21st album, All Washed Up, sticks the landing and at times even captures the magic of classic albums like Heaven Tonight, Dream Police, and their selt-titled debut.

Guitarist and main songwriter Rick Nielsen is Lennon/McCartney, Jagger/Richards, and the Davies brothers all rolled into one bratty Midwest rocker with a propensity for the Bowery Boys. Perfect power pop twists and turns. But opener “All Washed Up” doesn’t have any of that spark. It’s more just a chunky guitar riff with a mild case of Iggy Pop-itis. Not awful, but none of the spark of classic Cheap Trick. “All Wrong Long Gone” has a bit of that ‘ol magic, but singer Robin Zander sounds like he’s struggling with those high notes a bit.

We make our way through some big riff rockers then hit big with the fantastic “The Best Thing”. It’s classic Cheap Trick, an ear worm rocker with amazing melodies and a bittersweet quality. And man, Robin Zander sounds incredible. “Twelve Gates” continues that with some killer stacked vocal harmonies. It’s tough, but sweet. Primo Cheap Trick. “Bad Blood” captures that 80s Lap of Luxury sheen, and is just a great track. And “Wham Boom Bang” might be one of the best album closers I’ve heard in a good while.

All Washed Up starts out a little rickety, but once it gets going Cheap Trick prove why nearly 50 years into their career they remain relevant and a key band in the history of American rock and roll.