448 - Cheap Trick - In Color
Let's go ahead and get this out of the way. You mention Cheap Trick and I instantly think of "I Want You To Want Me." Oh, how I hate that song. Well...apparently, after hearing the studio version on In Color, I now realize that I just hate the Live at Budokan version of the song. I actually really enjoy the version I heard today.
Cheap Trick has been one of those bands that sound great in print, but I've had uneasy feelings of the songs I've heard from them. There's something in their power pop formula that is out of balance for me. After this album, I think my problem has to do with the 70's hard rock element. I love the power pop, the elements of punk, and the guitar work is extremely impressive. It are the songs like "Big Eyes" and "You're All Talk," with the stronger levels of 70's hard rock, that grate on me. I like the balance you get on songs like "Hello There," "Downed," and "Oh Caroline" a bit more. Maybe it is the production and the vocal delivery, I'm not exactly certain what it is that tips the scales one way or the other for me with Cheap Trick.
Songs I knew I liked: "Hello There"
Songs I didn't know but now like: "Downed," "I Want You To Want Me," "Oh Caroline," "So Good to See You," and "Oh Boy"
Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Big Eyes" - ugh.