CHEAP TRICK – Busted +7 [Japan BluSpec CD2 remastered miniLP] (2017)

CHEAP TRICK have made an historic chart debut with their acclaimed new album, ‘In Another World’. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ 20th studio album enters at #1 on Billboard’s “Rock” chart — their highest first-week chart placement in the veteran band’s long, remarkable career.
Many of you asked for some of their other records, and we have the terrific Japanese BluSpec CD2 remastered versions with loads of bonus tracks.
Here’s one of our favorites from the band; “Busted“, and you know how an album released in 1990 sounds alike, even more if there’s master producer Richie Zito (fresh from producing Bad English) behind the desk.

Loaded once again with great songs courtesy of the band and a cast of some of the ’80s most successfully songwriters including Diane Warren and Foreigner‘s Mick Jones, ”Busted” continues that power pop rock Cheap Trick tradition laid down by the ten records that came before, plus the radio-friendly, melodic rock / power ballad style so much needed in 1990.

While most will remember ”Busted” singles “Cant Help Fallin’ Into Love” (the band written catchy Rock&pop track that was all over radio and MTV late summer) and the Diane Warren-penned power ballad “Wherever Would I Be”, which since has been covered by more people than an Andre the Giant blanket – it’s the deep cuts that makes Cheap Trick‘s first album of the ’90s a fun listen.

Yeah, starting off with stop and go guitar anthem “Back ‘N Blue”, Cheap Trick kick Busted off with a song just as perfect for an ’80s teen party movie soundtrack as it is for a fun Cheap Trick record and the hooky chants and sing-a-long rock and roll doesn’t stop there.
“I Can’t Understand It” is oh so, “whoah oh” catchy, while “If You Need Me” about as close to perfect Cheap Trick power pop as you can get. “Walk Away”, a duet with Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, is not too far removed from the tracks to come on Zander‘s solo album and with “When You Need Someone”, Cheap Trick deliver one of the best ballads of the period never to be considered for release as a single.

At the end of the day, Cheap Trick are arguably the biggest bar band in the world always delivering entertaining live shows and the rock and roll is just as present on ”Busted” as any album in the band’s catalog.
The title track romps off with that Chuck Berry lifted guitar rock and roll the band has been cranking out better than anyone since the beginning and “You Drive, I’ll Steer”, a fun chugging rocker with classic Trick chorus.
Even in 1990, when giving a nod to the original Fab Four like on this track and on the Traveling Wilbury‘s sounding “Had to Make You Mine”, the band can’t miss. The Beatles influence has been obvious since the jump but Cheap Trick have always run with it and created a sound all their own.

Closing ”Busted” with their take on a 1974 Wizzard glam classic, Cheap Trick bust out of the record with rocking and rolling tune “Rock ‘N’ Roll Tonight”, an ode to those good ol’ days of jukeboxes, tight jeans, and shakin’ it up with your closest date. Every time I hear this one, I just want to grab my gal, put the top down on the convertible, and hit downtown blasting some old driving rock and roll like this one or maybe even that old tune “I’m Alright” from Caddyshack. Yeah, you get the idea. Good fun catchy rock and roll that anyone with any soul would wanna dance to.

I remember back in the day reading some ridiculous reviews of ”Busted” saying ‘Cheap Trick are repeating themselves’. What they expected, some kind of Frank Zappa or Pink Floyd material? This Chip Trick, fun power pop & rock n’ roll. And it was 1990, and the band delivers catchy, melodic, polished tunes according to the era, which, btw, still sound awesome 2021.
Highly Recommended

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01 – Back ‘n Blue
02 – I Can’t Understand It
03 – Wherever Would I Be
04 – If You Need Me
05 – Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love
06 – Busted
07 – Walk Away
08 – You Drive, I’ll Steer
09 – When You Need Someone
10 – Had To Make You Mine
11 – Rock ‘n’ Roll
BONUS TRACKS:
12 – Magical Mystery Tour (Short version)
13 – Come On Christmas (Single version)
14 – Stop That Thief (From ‘Another Way’ original soundtrack)
15 – I Will Survive (From ‘Gradiator’ original soundtrack)
16 – Big Bang (From Japanese version of ‘Busted’)
17 – Can’t Stop Fallin’ Into Love (Radio mix)
18 – Magical Mystery Tour (The ‘Greatest Hits’ version)

Robin Zander – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Rick Nielsen – lead guitar, backing vocals
Tom Petersson – bass guitar, backing vocals
Bun E. Carlos – drums, percussion
additional musicians:
Mick Jones (Foreigner) – guitar, co-writing (track 4)
Kim Bullard (Poco) – keyboards
Russell Mael (Sparks) – backing vocals (track 9)
Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders) – vocals (track 7)

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICP-31073