BUT.......

It is a well established fact that Cheap Trick HATES "The Flame." But did they have to substitute a lackluster live version for the superior studio one? And even if "That Seventies Show (In The Street)" is driving us crazy on TV, it is not a very inspired recording. Still, you get "Surrender, "I Want You To Want Me (Live)," and "Dream Police," three of the best songs to rock a radio during the seventies. Plus, there are a couple overlooked goodies here, such as "She's Tight," "Walk Away," "Stop This Game," and "Everything Works If You Let It" to make you covet this CD. Had the single version of "The Flame" been included, this would have been the 5-star retrospective of Cheap Trick that we've been waiting for.


Who "Authorized" this release?   February 26, 2001
 13 out of 16 found this review helpful

Made in USA in 2000, Serial# EK-66015, Playing Time 66:22

Cheap Trick left the Sony Music stable back in 1990, after the release of "Busted". Since then, as is usually the case when a band switches recording company, the former company releases various items so that they can sell their "catalog".

Remember 1991's "The Greatest Hits", which was also released in Japan as a 2-disc set; how about "Budokan II" in 1993? And 1996's "Sex, America, Cheap Trick" 4-disc set, as well as the double set from 1998 "At Budokan: The Complete Concert"?

This latest offering follows in that tradition; and, as usual, they include 1 or many "previously unreleased" tracks to lure the consumer into buying the album. In this case, there's "That 70's song" from "That 70's Show", plus a live version of "The Flame" recorded during the "Busted" tour, as well as 2 other tracks (#7 and #9) only available on the 4-disc set mentionned earlier. Which also explains why any material from the "Woke Up With A Monster" and "Cheap Trick (1997)" are completely absent from this retrospective.

Bottom line is: "Is this disc any good?" - Yep!; and does such a scheme from record companies work? I bought it, didn't I!

And guess what? "Silver", a new 2-disc compilation from their latest record company (Cheap Trick Unlimited), is just about to come out! Maybe they should call that one "Really Authorized Greatest Hits"...


Cheap Trick Classics   May 1, 2003
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Cheap Trick's AUTHORIZED GREATEST HITS is very close to being the definitive compilation of this underrated heavy pop band. Here's a rundown of the tracks selected and my personal opinions on the choices:

"I Want You To Want Me" - It's hard to argue with this choice; this is the top 10 hit from the group's 1979 breakthrough live album, AT BUDOKAN. This track originally appeared on the group's second LP, IN COLOR (1977) in a more pop-oriented version that failed as a single in the U.S.

"Ain't That A Shame" - Another AT BUDOKAN track, this cover of the Fats Domino classic made the top 40 after the success of "I Want You To Want Me", which merits its inclusion here. It's also a good representation on the band's technical ability.

"Southern Girls" - The 45 mix of the IN COLOR track, which has a shorter drum intro than the LP mix, and a fade at the end. An excellent choice; this version was only previously available on the group's box set (SEX, AMERICA, CHEAP TRICK).

"Surrender" - Another no-brainer, this track (still heard occasionally on classic-rock radio) represents the group's most accomplished album, 1978's HEAVEN TONIGHT.

"Stop This Game" - Another great choice. Taken from the George Martin-produced ALL SHOOK UP, this song bottomed out on the charts in 1980 and began Cheap Trick's fall from popular grace. One of the band's greatest tracks.

"Dream Police" - Riding high on the success of AT BUDOKAN, "Dream Police" and the accompanying album of the same name charted high in 1979. This schizophrenic track embodies Cheap Trick better than any single song.

"If You Want My Love" - Another alternate version that was only available previously on the box set. This version features a rougher mix, a bridge, and no keyboards. Although the 1982 ONE ON ONE mix is better, it's nice gesture to include this one for long-time fans.

"Tonight It's You" - One of the few good songs that can actually be classified as a "power ballad". This track, culled from 1985's deleted STANDING ON THE EDGE, was a minor hit.

"Everything Works If You Let It" - My personal favorite Cheap Trick song. Since this is another track only otherwise available on the box set, this song alone warrants the purchase of this CD if you don't have the box. This amazing track was produced by George Martin during the ALL SHOOK UP sessions, but included on the soundtrack to the film ROADIE instead. As a single, it didn't quite make it to the top 40.

"Mandocello" - This track represents the group's 1977 self-titled debut album, and is undoubtedly the highlight of that LP.

"I Can't Take It" - A 1998 live rendition from MUSIC FOR HANGOVERS of this excellent track from the Todd Rundgren-produced NEXT POSITION PLEASE (1983). Again, the original is superior, but this one fits better.

"She's Tight" - a highlight from 1982's ONE ON ONE that was apparently an MTV favorite.

"That `70s Song" - 1999 recording of the theme song from THAT `70s SHOW. Actually, it's pretty good and has never been issued on a Cheap Trick CD until this one.

"Walk Away" - The inclusion of this track is puzzling. While it's certainly not bad, there are many superior songs that could have been included instead. Which brings me to ...

"Can't Stop Falling Into Love" - Although this track (the weakest on the CD) charted at #12 in 1990, its inclusion over several better hits cannot be ignored. "Voices", one of the band's all-time best songs, made the top 40 in 1979. "Don't Be Cruel" (top 5) and "Ghost Town" (top 40) all received major radio/video airplay in the late `80s and are also absent. While these are not representative of Cheap Trick's best work, they were "hits". If the group were choosing should-have-been-hits over actual hits, then "Say Goodbye" from their 1997 comeback album (self-titled, like their first) would have been a better choice. Perhaps there were licensing problems.

"The Flame" - The studio verision on this song from the group's 1988 LAP OF LUXURY album went to #1 (!), but this previously unreleased live rendition from the same year features more energy and passion.

AUTHORIZED GREATEST HITS is a great collection that works well as an excellent introduction to the band (although IN COLOR or HEAVEN TONIGHT will serve that purpose just as well) or as a supplement to the group's regular albums for the more familiar fan.


4.5 stars - Great primer on a great band - just a few omissions   August 9, 2005
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Cheap Trick always seemed like three bands rolled up into one, and most of their career has been spent trying to find a balance between the different styles. You have your Beatlesque power pop tunes, which brought the band deserved hits in the 70's and a place in the heart of indie rockers from Nirvana to Guided by Voices. You have the 80's AOR years, filled with ballads that are musically pleasing with great choruses but artistically less interesting, and often heavily produced. And finally, you have the side of the band that was capable of cranking out menacing rockers with dark lyrics such as "Auf Wiedersehen" and "I'm Not The Only Boy".

While the third side of Cheap Trick is pretty much ignored here, the first two are covered pretty well. The first single-disc greatest hits album Cheap Trick released REALLY ignored the early years, but this one takes a few steps to rectify that problem. Here you get "Southern Girls" in all of its power pop glory, as well as the quirky "Stop This Game" and gorgeous "Mandocello". You also get later years gems like "That 70's Song" (nothing special, but a fun Big Star semi-cover). All of the big hits are here, including the two songs that guaranteed Cheap Trick their place in the classic rock pantheon - "Surrender" and "I Want You To Want Me". And don't forget the fact that the band is really tight - Robin Zander is one of the top vocalists of all time, and we have Tom Petersson to thank for the 12-string bass.

If you're looking for a disc that captures Cheap Trick as you heard them on the radio, this is a good single-disc encapsulation of their biggest hits. But if you really want to find out what Cheap Trick was all about, and still get most of their big hits, splurge for all five of their first records - Cheap Trick (self-titled), In Color, Heaven Tonight, At Budokan, and Dream Police. While Dream Police is the weakest of the bunch, all of these albums are absolute classics and really cover ALL sides of Cheap Trick - one of the most misunderstood bands of all time.


THAT 70S BAND   December 20, 2005
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

CHEAP TRICK: AUTHORIZED GREATEST HITS: Cheap Trick successfully mixed a Beatle-esque power pop sensibility with crunchy guitar riffs, its tongue planted a mile in its cheek. Two guys that LOOKED like pin-up boy rock stars, and two that looked more like a Bowery Boy and a used car salesman respectively, the Tricksters managed a handful of radio-ready diehards in SURRENDER (complete with klassic Kiss reference), the LIVE AT BUDOKAN rave-up I WANT YOU TO WANT ME, and, much later, ballad biggie THE FLAME. This overview also trots out slick staples such as a rowdy rendition of Fats Domino's AIN'T THAT A SHAME (though, strangely, not their percussive treatment of Elvis' DON'T BE CRUEL, nor their Fab Four clone cover of MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR), bouncy shoulda-been-a-hit SOUTHERN GIRLS, and the theme to THAT 70'S SHOW (THAT 70'S SONG). As with any compilation, certain worthy tracks ('ELLO KIDDIES, VOICES, CALIFORNIA MAN) are missing in action, but this is due more to the boys' wealth of decent material than to careless selection. All in all, a pretty neat trick. FIVE GUITAR NECKS