Cheap Trick
All Washed Up
BMG
In this unpredictable, crazy, mixed-up world, there are only three things on which you can still bet it all, with total confidence: The Cowboys will always choke, a Snickers will always satisfy, and Cheap Trick will always rock. And that point is proven by the band still being on tour and still creating new music, nearly 50 years following the release of their self-titled, 1977 debut record.
Another joint collab between the band and longtime producer Julian Raymond (Mutemath, Fastball, Sugarland), All Washed Up shows Cheap Trick’s continued commitment to the polished popsmith style of their new millennium releases, while remaining faithful to their iconic, artistic legacy.
The two leadoff teaser video / singles are both super-tall standouts. The Fab Four-flavored “Twelve Gates” might remind connoisseurs of the band’s golden Dream Police era of the late ’70s, however, the raucous “The Riff That Won’t Quit” packs the kind of angsty Rick Nielsen guitar clatter that’s not been felt since the One On One era of the early ’80s.
But two tight tracks do not a solid record make. And All Washed Up boasts a bounty of highlights. Driven by the throaty, signature style, 12-string bass chug of Tom Petersson, “All Wrong Long Gone” bursts with all the contagious circa ‘90 charm of Busted — and it really wants to take home the record’s MVP honors. But first, it’s gotta beat out the two 2000-something-sounding contenders, “The Best Thing” and “Bad Blood.” The former finds ever-dashing frontman Robin Zander delivering arguably his finest vocal performance of the entire 11-track collection. Then there’s “Wham Boom Bang.” This two-minute and change record-closer owns a crisp Heaven Tonight sort of quirkiness, and could be considered the record’s secret cereal box surprise.
In sum, with 21 albums now to their credit and 50 years in their rearview, All Washed Up confirms once again that in this unpredictable, crazy, mixed-up world, you can still (confidently) bet it all on Cheap Trick to always rock.
All Washed Up Track List
01. All Washed Up (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 3:35
02. All Wrong Long Gone (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 4:08
03. The Riff That Won’t Quit (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 2:48
04. Bet It All (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 2:35
05. The Best Thing (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 4:01
06. Twelve Gates (R.T. Zander) – 3:59
07. Bad Blood (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 4:53
08. Dancing With the Band (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 3:43
09. Love Gone (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 2:54
10. A Long Way to Worcester (J.D. McFadden, R. Reynolds) – 4:57
11. Wham Boom Bang (R. Nielsen, T. Petersson, R.W. Zander) – 2:23
