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There's nothing progressive about "In Color," the second album by Cheap Trick. But calling it Power pop is also quite risky; Cheap Trick has always been a band either hated or revered, something that their almost gaudy nouveau riche look and the complete title of the album "In color and in black and white," only accentuated.
Ben Carlos, the drummer, seems to have been born from the crossbreeding of a banker and a nightporter from Sydney, Rick Nielsen, guitar and leader, an authentic baseball fan with fish-eyed looks, Robin Zander, guitar and vocals, and Tom Petersson, bass, are essential prototypes of the '70s rocker, very dashing and tending towards super macho. But if in this respect the group stands out conspicuously, on the musical front, Cheap Trick are as anomalous as they are devoted, Beatles fans. But not in the sense of the Raspberries or Elton John or the Bay City Rollers. What's surprising is that these four nephews of Uncle Sam considered the most important repertoire of the Fab Four to be the hard rock pieces of their last production, specifically "Back In The USSR," "Helter Skelter," "Yer Blues," "I Want You," and "Come Together."
Using a phrase that might shock someone: "In Color" sounds as if the Divine Duo had fallen in love with aggressive guitars and glam atmospheres. If Lennon and McCartney had survived until '77, why not indulge in this possibility, given John's very rock intentions in his later years? Leaving aside these temporal utopias (everyone is free to ponder them, as the Beatles proved capable of practicing a vast range of musical genres), the ten tracks that animate the album are palpable sensations of irresistible success and a truly remarkable sound evolution, but it should be stated that in the analysis, all the cardinal and reference points used in this field are unusable. "Hello There" harkens back to the ancient vestiges of the dirty rock of "Birthday"; "Big Eyes" opens with an explicit reference to that disconnected sonic labyrinth, connected only by Lennon's minimalist verses, which is "I Want You." "Oh Caroline" has the same subtly enchanted effect as the best rock of Abbey Road. Nielsen and Zander owe a great debt both to George for the great inventiveness in making the strings chirp and to John for the undeniable vocal gifts, but the Trick are not merely derivative, as could be the case for Boston, because they constitute much more than the sum of the notes they manipulated, especially if they did it with great skill.
A list of the group's influences is surprising for what it includes but also for what it excludes: obviously, the Yardbirds and the Who occupy an important place, but there is a total absence of any reflection of Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. But these omissions concern a larger design: Nielsen writes his songs with great care and Zander's robust harmonies are used instrumentally, rather than verbally. Something similar could be said for Steely Dan, but Cheap Trick has the added advantage of accessibility. What should be mentioned is that Cheap Trick had already won the battle against the convention that punk rock was about to wage, supported by a never too cynical characteristic: the sense of humor. Hence an album presented as a very substantial feast, whose existence has always been largely ignored.
If by chance Robinson Crusoe were to ask you to spend some time with him on the deserted island, immediately pack this record, which has an encyclopedic flavor but never boastful, with that aftertaste of pure pleasure that never borders on stupidity or exhibitionism.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Hello There (01:39)
Hello there ladies and gentlemen
Hello there ladies and gents
Are you ready to rock
Are you ready or no
Hello there ladies and gentlemen
Hello there ladies and gents
Are you ready to rock
Are you ready or no
Would you like to do a number with me
Would you like to do a number with me
Would you like to do a number with me
Would you like to do a number with me
Hello there ladies and gentlemen
Hello there ladies and gents
Are you ready to rock
Are you ready or no
Would you like to do a number with me
Would you like to do a number with me
Would you like to
Would you like to
Well come on
02 Big Eyes (03:05)
Words and Music by Rick Nielsen
It's not the way you look, no.
It's not the way you walk.
Your eyes are so very good.
You know they're clear and bright,
It's not the color of your hair.
Big eyes
I keep fallin' for those big eyes.
They keep calling my name, big eyes.
I keep fallin' for those big eyes.
They keep calling my name.
You're such a losing cause.
Why don't you go get lost?
Who says you write the laws?
You're such a losing cause,
Go on and get out of here.
Big eyes
I keep fallin' for those big eyes.
They keep calling my name.
You're such a losing cause.
Why don't you go get lost?
Who says you write the laws?
You're such a losing cause,
Go on and get out of here.
It's not the way you look, no.
It's not the way you walk.
Your eyes are so very good.
You know they're clear and bright,
It's not the color of your hair.
Big eyes
I keep fallin' for those big eyes.
(Repeat alternate endings)
They keep calling my name.
(Repeat 4X)
Big eyes, I keep falling for those big eyes.
They keep calling my name.
Big eyes, I keep falling for those big eyes.
I keep calling your name.
Big Eyes.
03 Downed (04:00)
Downed, downed out of my head
'Round, 'round out of my head
I'm gonna live on a mountain
Way down under in Australia
It's either that or suicide
It's such a strange strain on you
Ooh, I got a mind
Over you it's not the first time
Ooh, I got a mind
Rainbow's crawling on a midday sun
But I've been lucky you're the only one
Sunday's calling, you'll be number one
It's such a strange strain on you
Ooh, you think of Jesus Christ
You walk on water but don't bet your life, oh no
All you walk is a fine line
It's such a strange strain on you
Downed, downed out of my head
'Round, 'round out of my head
Too many people want to save the world
Another problem is it a boy or girl
Some say the weekend is the only world
It's such a strange strain on you
Ooh, I've got a mind
Over you it's not the first time
All you walk is a fine line
It's such a strange strain on you
Downed, downed out of my head
'Round, 'round out of my head
Downed, downed out of my head
'Round, 'round out of my head
07 Clock Strikes Ten (02:56)
(1)
Clock strikes ten it's a Saturday night
Got money in my pocket and it feels allright
Not stayin' home gonna stay out late
Gotta hear some rockin' music and it feels just great
(2)
Clock strikes twelve on a Saturday night
All the creeps are sleepin' all the cools in sight
All the kings and queens, they're out tonight
Lookin' for some action 'til I feel allright
(3)
Imagine what we're doin' tonight
You really got me goin' tonight
Imagine what we're doin' tonight
I'm crazy for some action tonight
(4)
Clock strikes two out all night
All my money's spent but that's allright
Not goin' home gonna stay out late
Get ready for some action want some action tonight
(Repeat 3)
(5)
Clock stikes four I want some more
Everybody's layin' on the floor
Not goin' home gonna stay out late
Gotta hear that rockin' music it feels allright
(Repeat 3)
(6)
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
(Repeat 6 three times)
(drum solo)
(Repeat 6 four times)
08 Southern Girls (03:41)
Words and music by rick nielsen and tom petersson
I've been north,
I've been east to the california beach
There's only one place i know where to find you
And all you southern girls got a way with your words
And you show it
You say hump and i'll jump
You say go and i'll know
Waste no time getting
So close to you
And you'll never run way
When you find out why i wanted to find you
Ooh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and your crazy
And everyone says it, yeah yeah
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
I've been up i've been down
I've been weak i've been strong
But i never met someone like you
And you'll never run away
When you find why i wanted to find you
You say hump and i'll jump
You say go and i'll know
Waste no time getting
So close to you
All you southern girls
Got a way with your words
And you show it
Ooh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and your crazy
And everyone says it, yeah yeah
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
You think this boy, he loves you
Southern girls
You make it hard oh, so hard
I've been north, i've been east to the california beach
There's only one place i know where to find you
And all you southern girls got a way with your words
And you show it
Ooh baby need some brand new shoes
Get out on the street
You got nothing to lose
You rock me and your crazy
And everyone says it, yeah yeah
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls, you got nothing to lose
Southern girls
Southern girls
Southern girls
10 So Good to See You (03:34)
Ooh, it's so good to see you
I couldn't wait another day
Ooh, I hope everyone missed you
You know they want you to stay
Home in one month
Couldn't feel better if I tried
Won't even write
It's better that'll be a surprise
I can't expect to be a household word
I don't mind, just let me inside
I don't expect to be seen or heard
I won't mind, I've nothin' to hide
Ooh, it's so good to see you
I couldn't wait another day
So good to see you
Ooh, I hope everyone missed you
You know they want you to stay
Home in one week
Gettin' so much closer all the time
Seems like overnight
It's better that'll be a surprise
We shouldn't get to be too close friends
I don't mind, I've nothin' to hide
We couldn't get to be too close friends
You won't mind if you've nothin' to hide
Ooh, it's so good to see you
I couldn't wait another day
So good to see you
Oo, I hope everyone missed you
You know they want you to stay
Don't stop to think what you're doin'
I'll surprise you anytime
Don't stop to do what you're thinkin'
You're just wastin' your time
Ooh, it's so good to see you
I couldn't wait another day
So good to see you
Oo, I hope everyone missed you
I really want you to stay
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