Band Name: Cheap Trick
Album Name: Rockford
Release Date: June 6, 2006

Band on Record:

Robin Zander: Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano.
Rick Nielsen: Lead guitars, backing vocals.
Tom Petersson: Bass guitar, backing vocals.
Bun E. Carlos: Drums, percussion.

Track 1: “Welcome to the World”
This is a straight ahead rockin’ song, and the perfect kick-off for this album that harkens back to the classic Cheap Trick. I love the guitar melody breakdown as well; with good vocals and killer drum work you have the recipe for a winner.
Song Rating: 9.5 out of 10


Track 2: “Perfect Stranger”
Serving up another song that throwsback to that classic sounding Cheap Trick. Chugging guitars, pounding drums, and a sugary sweet voice with a chorus that infects the mind the world over. Yep, Cheap Trick is back with a vengeance .
Song Rating: 10 out of 10


Track 3: “If It Takes a Lifetime”
For me, this is the easiest song on the album to get stuck in my head. No idea why, but it does…on a frequent basis and I do not even listen to this album much . Starting off slow and adding in a driving bass line that just carries throughout the song to accompany the memorable drumming. The chorus provides some greater Cheap Trick sugar that we all need to hear now and again.
Song Rating: 10 out of 10


Track 4: “Come On Come On Come On”
This is more of a straight-ahead rocker than the previous two songs. Almost tongue-in-cheek with some of the lyrics, but we all love that kind of musicianship, don’t we? The guitar breakdown is pretty cool, and the song overall just reminds me of 70’s jam rock all over again.
Song Rating: 8.5 out of 10


Track 5: “O Claire”
For whatever reason, I feel the spirit of the Beatles flowing through this song. Nice and soft music with good vocals, and something about the chord arrangements screams comparison to some of their work. Maybe I’m just insane, but that’s what I hear.
Song Rating: 8 out of 10


Track 6: “This Time You Got It”
This song is a decent offering, which follows the usual mid-tempo style Cheap Trick uses. The chorus is my favorite vocal part, but beyond that everything is rather normal for the band and nothing stands out except a few guitar parts at the end.
Song Rating: 7.5 out of 10


Track 7: “Give It Away”
Short, sweet, and rather infectious. Those elements make this a good song, and the guitar work is the true force that drives the song along at the clip it does.
Song Rating: 8.5 out of 10


Track 8: “One More”
I particularly like how this song starts off, and then how it progresses from the country-ish style to the bombastic rock that is the staple of the band. This shows that the band has branched out a little bit and not every song on here is going to be that type of rocker or a ballad. This song probably showcases my favorite solo on the album too.
Song Rating: 9.5 out of 10


Track 9: “Every Night and Every Day”
A rocker and ballad almost fused together, into one song that sounds really great with the vocals Zander is able to sing over the music. Big credit to the rhythm section for laying the groundwork for the mood and then the guitar to play over it as well as it does.
Song Rating: 9 out of 10


Track 10: “Dream the Night Away”
This song is much in the same vein as the previous one, however the instruments are even further placed back from the vocals than before. The really juicy solo keeps this song alive; otherwise the way the song was mixed would be a real problem.
Song Rating: 8.5 out of 10


Track 11: “All Those Years”
Just as “If It Takes a Lifetime” gets stuck in my head quite easily, the same thing goes for this song. Randomly will the chorus just pop in, and then stick around for a good hour or so. Very melodic and peaceful, I like the drum work on her probably over everything with the vocals coming directly after. The bass and guitars are there to add “fluff” and keep it interesting and they accomplish that perfectly.
Song Rating: 10 out of 10


Track 12: “Decaf”
This song reminds me a lot of Japanese rock (J-Rock) based on the instruments. The vocals are also a lot harsher than what I’m used too from Cheap Trick, but it’s a nice break from the last few slow songs and adds pizzazz to the end of the album. It’s not a bad song, but neither is it the highlight of the album.
Song Rating: 7.5 out of 10


Overall Review:
I was almost apprehensive to review this album, I know some people who thoroughly enjoy the album and wanted a review. However, I had picked this up back when it first came out with high hopes, listened to it, and considered it to a be a decent album, but nothing too great. Thankfully, by coming back and actually reviewing the album I do see it as more enjoyable and in the vein of older Cheap Trick. I am also hot and cold with older Cheap Trick, which might have explained my feelings towards this album, but that’s just speculation.

The album is indeed a return to their original form with the usual subject matter of love lost and having a good time. All that with the 70’s jamming along to a song feel that has been so prolific in their music. There are a few standout tracks, and a few that especially make it into my top lists of Cheap Trick tunes. “All Those Years” was an instant classic from the first time I hear the album, and that was about the only song I could remember without listening again (The other was “Welcome to the World”). Both are the cream of the crop on the album with very few filler type songs, maybe “Decaf” being one of the only.

For the casual fan this album is a decent release and something worth picking up if you enjoy the feel of the band and the catchy choruses. For the diehard fan, you’ve already picked this up, so why does my opinion matter and for those who hate the band, you’ll definitely hate this album because it has everything that was and is good about Cheap Trick packaged into one release.
Overall Rating: 8.5 out of 10