Cheap Trick’s new album ‘All Washed Up
Words: Naomi Baker
★★★☆☆
There’s no doubt Cheap Trick have been the most consistent rock band of the century, with a back catalogue of 21 studio albums since their self-titled debut in 1977.
Producing a plethora of hits ranging from: ‘I Want You to Want Me’, ‘Surrender’ and ‘Voices’ to ‘Dream Police’ and ‘The Flame’, it was no surprise when Cheap Trick were finally inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 – having sold 20 million records across five decades.
One might look to retire after achieving something as big as a spot in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, although that was almost a decade ago, Cheap Trick refuse to be left on the shelf, heard in their spinning new record ‘All Washed Up’, which, packed full of notorious Cheap Trick harmonies, driving riffs and strenuous lyrics, revisits pure rock n’ roll.
Rapid starting track, ‘All Washed Up’, welcomes a seamless first half of the album with a haul of blues guitar driving throughout, that pairs with slightly squirm-ish lyrics, revisiting early 80s innuendo track, ‘She’s Tight’.
Stamina flows straight through into the second track of the record, ‘All Wrong Long Gone’, where the theme of heartbreak, typical of Cheap Trick, is clearly set out – this time with a drone of electric guitar beside a steady pulse of bass. There’s a sure homage to rock Gods AC/DC here.
Pre-release track ‘The Riff That Won’t Quit’ does exactly what it says on the tin – undoubtedly the most earwigging track of the album, but it wouldn’t be a Cheap Trick record without a power ballad or two, heard in next track ‘The Best Thing’. Despite slowing the record right down, this ballad creates room for All Washed Up’s greatest track, ‘Twelve Gates’.
‘Twelve Gates’, their second pre-release, guides euphoric soaring vocal harmonies, bright-sounding guitars and, of course, a heartfelt guitar solo. If unfamiliar with Cheap Trick, ‘Twelve Gates’ is the track to listen to, displaying each great element of the band’s sound into a four-minute delicacy.
Despite the pumping first half, the latter of ‘All Washed Up’ somewhat dips, with sporadic tracks picking up energy here and there, such as ‘Rocking with the Band, Dancing with the Band’. The record stands a little scattered, ending with a bizarre finger clicking, jazz infused, ‘Wham Boom Bang’ – encompassed with a curious clarinet solo. That being said, it does round the record up nicely.
Overall, All Washed Up is a perfectly respectful album from mature rockers Cheap Trick, though I’m more stunned they’re still releasing frequent music of good quality; it just goes to show wherever you go, they’ll be with you…