For a band that’s been rocking since Richard Nixon was in the White House, Cheap Trick sound as brash as ever.
As early progenitors of power pop, the group, along with other pop rockers like The Knack, helped establish a lighthearted take on rock in the early days of punk rock.
Bang Zoom Crazy ... Hello is the Illinois quartet’s 17th recording and is the first full album recorded without founding drummer, Bun E. Carlos. The band’s legacy is varied and with their sometimes clownish image and on-the-surface songs, they don’t have a hard act to perpetuate.
Early hits like I Want You To Want Me and Surrender are shallow celebrations of desire and rebellion but their appeal is also a straight ahead mix of melody, hooks and clean, driving rock and roll. While they may certainly lack depth, they have a wide appeal.
The sound of Bang Zoom Crazy ... Hello steers clear of ‘80s schlock-like The Flame. The songs, and especially singer Robin Zander, sound tough and polished as if they were well rehearsed enough to relax while recording.
No Direction, The In Crowd, and When I Wake are wiry tracks that deliver the group’s celebrated brand of pop hook and rock grind effortlessly. The group comes across like they aren’t trying hard to deliver and it’s that natural attack and their for-the-song sensibilities that make this album easy to enjoy – a well crafted collection of songs from one of rock’s hardest working bands.
– Dean Gordon-Smith is a Vernon-based musician who reviews new music releases for The Morning Star every Friday in his column, Street Sounds.