Authorized Greatest Hits

Performer: Cheap Trick
Artist: Chrissie Hynde
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Cheap Trick: Robin Zander (vocals, guitar); Rick Nielsen (guitar); Tom Petersson (bass); Bun E. Carlos (drums). Producers include: Cheap Trick, Tom Werman, George Martin, Roy Thomas Baker, Jack Douglas. Reissue producers: Cheap Trick, Bruce Dickinson. Includes liner notes by Ron Albanese. Recording information: Budokon (1976-1999); Daytona Beach, FL (1976-1999). Photographer: Rich Kwasniekski. Die hard Trick completists, as well as those who have ever sung along to "Surrender" in a pub, will want to grab this one. While the one black mark is the lack of the earlier raw material, AUTHORIZED successfully mixes commercial ballads with down n' dirty rockers. The LIVE AT BUDOKAN one-two punch of "I Want You To Want Me" and "Ain't That A Shame" shows the band in top form. "Southern Girls" is an overlooked, heavy pop classic written by the maniacal Rick Nielsen and bass ace Tom Petersson. "Stop This Game" is a raucous singalong from the new wave era that shows the band in sync with Producer George Martin. Vocalist Robin Zander shines on the slick, radio-friendly "Tonight It's You." Vintage Trick is represented by the beautiful "Mandocello," while a live version of "I Can't Take It" showcases the band's most recent MUSIC FOR HANGOVERS. The band selected a great lineup of songs that would appeal to both the Cheap Trick novice ("Dream Police", "The Flame [live]") and fanatic ("That 70s Song [In The Street]"). Buy the CD, see the show, and relish in the power of this unique band.

Q (1/01, p.122) - 4 out of 5 stars - "...The bulk of these tracks date from [their] self-penned, late-'70s peak....combining hard rock riffs and Beatles-inspired pop with witty observations on teenage American life..."

Cheap Trick's first few albums are often cited as an influence on both '80s pop-metal and the pop-punk phenomenon of the '90s. Robin Zander's rock-star looks and powerful voice played perfectly off guitar hero Rick Neilsen's oddball image and onstage antics, and the band frequently subverted standard rock song structures with odd, ironic lyrics. In their late-'70s heyday, Cheap Trick's fusion of power-pop and hard rock won them credibility with rockers, new wave fans, and pure popsters. Their 1978 release AT BUDOKAN still stands as one of rock's finest concert albums.

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