Audio CD review:
Cheap Trick - Dream Police

Cheap Trick - Dream Police

Band: Cheap Trick Title: Dream Police Rating: Release Date: 1990-10-25 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Dream Police 2: Way of the World - Cheap Trick, Zander, Robin 3: The House Is Rockin' (With Domestic Problems) - Cheap Trick, Petersson, Tom 4: Gonna Raise Hell 5: I'll Be With You Tonight 6: Voices 7: Writing on the Wall 8: I Know What I Want 9: Need Your Love

It's lost it's flavor a little bit over 27 years The title cut looking back was at best marginal. But it still knows how to rock. It made the top 10 in Philly, but it really isn't a classic, but "The Way Of The World" actually did a little better as it got down to business of rock, "The House Is Rocking( With Domestic Problems)" is a absolute monster as it was Tom Peterson's baby all the way, but looking back I had no idea it was a song about Family Violence, and Abusive Behavior I had no clue, the "Gonna Raise Hell" This is where I have to say "I never liked this song, and to be honest I have held a grudge against my grandfather for a long time because of this song. I got this 5 days before my 12th birthday, and I asked my grandfather to play this for me, and to be honest looking back I would've rather he'd said "No". I would've rather he'd said no because I knew his heart wasn't in it, and then he mocks me when this song comes on. I haven't found it in my heart yet to forgive him, but it's only come to light recently. I also found out recently that there's a backwards message on there which refers to Satan being in control of the lock, and I at times find this rather comical as I find playing records backwards to be funny sounding. However, this was one of three weak moments on this album. If I had to pick a good moment it was Bun E. Carlos's drum solo after the 3rd verse. . . . rather intense. It picks back up with "I'll Be With You Tonight" which is one of my top 3 favorite Cheap Trick songs, but then comes "Voices" which was a syrupy ballad, but not delicious enough, "Writing On The Wall" is a punker to this day, "I Know What I Want" has lost some flavor also, and the other weak spot on here was "Need Your Love" this was actually written a year before while doing the now legendary concerts at the Budakon in Japan. It still isn't good. I feel the one thing that prompted me to write this was to come to terms with "Gonna Raise Hell". I know that with this incident in my life I knew that things would not be the same between my grandfather, and I ever again. I know the next year for my birthday I really didn't want to share with them what I wanted for fear of mocking, and judging. This incident took alot of joy away from me enjoying this album, so I repressed it in my brain as to how I really feel about this album until now. It's still good, but it's not a classic. . Cheap Trick - 'Dream Police' (Sony) I remember when this album first came out. Originally released in fall,1979. Many patrons that I knew personally would flock to their nearby Kmart,Record Bar or Venture store to snag a cassette/vinyl copy on their next day off. A true-to-it's form classic fourth studio effort by Cheap Trick(according to some fans,THE world's best rock&roll band to see play live). Tunes that make this 'arena rock' CD reissue a keeper are the title track,an FM radio staple "Dream Police","Gonna Raise Hell","Voices",the rocking "I Know What I Want" and "Need Your Love". A should-have. Dream Police(d) 'Off The Radio'...wasn't it nice back in the '80's and '70's when Cheap Trick could be heard 'On The Radio'? 'Dream Police', 'Way of the World', 'Voices', 'The House is Rockin' with Domestic Problems' (Tom's?) and two or three more cuts here are very good to great. Despite Tom Werman's previous screwups, he was back for round three with the 'Tricksters and he did some of his best (and worst) work here. Rick's best guitar album to date. 'But then depression set in', a line from a Bill Murray movie, seems appropriate; Who gave THAT Bassist a singing part? I Know What I Want is one of the worst songs to ever be assosiated with Cheap Trick (unless Robin or Rick sing it, which both have - when Tom was no longer in the band) and Gonna Raise Hell is pure garbage - nine-and-a-half minutes of mindless guitar solos that Rick and Trick used to parody with their earlier work. Only Nine songs? Come on guys. Yet, with these flaws it was still their best (NON-Live) work to date. Dream Police (1979) Dream Police is the follow up to Cheap Trick's breakthrough release "Live at Budokan. Dream Police is the fifth album from Cheap Trick. " The album is a good follow up to "Live at Budokan" it even contains the song Need Your Love, which made its first appearance on "Live at Budokan. " Other highlights include the title track, Dream Police as well as Voices. My personal favorite from the album is Gonna Raise Hell. Dream Police is a must for Cheap Trick fans. One of their best, together with "All shook up" The title track is very melodic and captivating, and the "House is rocking" is a steamy rocker. "Dream police" (1979) is a very good album from the guys who seem to not think that rock `n' roll is a dead serious business. "I'll be with you tonight" and "Writing on the wall" show this band's talent for writing memorable tunes, and the ballad "Voices" is just beautiful. "Gonna raise hell" is a groovy number but it is far too long, and you actual get a bit bored at the end. The rest of the material is alright and "Dream police" is an album of rather high standard. The proper rating should be somewhere between 3 strong and 4 weaker stars. I believe this album together with "All shook up" is the best ever from Cheap Trick, and I advise you to get them both - you'll never know how long they will be available, since this most likely isn't considered to be cool among kids of today. You can see a complete list of all Cheap Trick discography, or go back to the Cheap Trick tabs