Cheap Trick - The Latest

If a band is lucky enough to enter their third or even fourth decade, they are usually on one of the following trajectories; one primary member remaining touring under the band name and consistently touring while playing the "greatest hits".  Two, enlist a new singer who sounds a lot like the singer that made them popular or a band with largely current members who crank out either sub-par new material or release an album of cover tunes just to keep the band relevant.  A band which, as of 2008, bucked this trend was Cheap Trick.  Cheap Trick was relevant in the 70's with a slew of hits and a popular "Live at Budokan" release.  In the 80's, they released successive albums which had a radio ready singles with kept them on the air and drove record sales.  They reached the pinnacle in 1988 with the release of the "The Flame" which received regular rotation on Mtv but also welcomed the return of original bassist, Tom Petersson, which provide creative spark.  Unfortunately, the 90's brought on grunge and musical tasted changed drastically.  From 1990 to 2003, Cheap Trick released a string of albums which garnered little to no attention other than 1997's release (Cheap Trick) which had the notoriety of having their record label go bankrupt at the same time of the album's release.  The early 2000's Cheap Trick had a hit with the opening theme song for "That's 70's Show" but it did not translate to the release of new material.  The bands fortunes changed in 2006 with the release of "Rockford" and culminated in 2008 with the release of "The Latest" where they were putting out great songs regardless if radio noticed or not.  "The Latest", in my opinion, is the strongest release by the band since their first four albums which elevated the band to superstar status.  From the opening of "Sleep Forever" the continued strength of Robin Zander's legendary voice was apparent.  The next three songs "When The Lights Are Out", "Miss Tomorrow" and "Sick Man of Europe" give continued credence that Cheap Trick are the heir to The Beatles pop sensibilities but with a harder more guitar-focused edge.  And like all good pop songs, the longest song clocks in at 4:16 which fits within radio formats.  "Miracle" is the traditional pop ballad but still rocks.  Unfortunately, it is also the last album to include Bun E. Carlos as a member of the band because his drumming is a highlight and you realize that there is a lot more to his drumming and his sense of rhythm and timing then just being the "guy with the cigarette hanging from his mouth".  By the end of the album, the listener comes away realizing that this veteran rock band put together a kick ass collection of material which should have been celebrated and praised by everyone in the music/radio industry and not just by their fans.