Cheap Trick - Music for Hangovers
Cheap Trick, whose 1979Cheap Trick at Budokanis one of rock's quintessential live records, light up a Chicago stage in this 14-song collection from 1998. Power-pop staples like "Dream Police," "I Want You to Want Me," and "Surrender" find singer Robin Zander still sweet of timbre and savvy of pitch. Surprisingly, two high points stem from the band's 1977 debut: the Lennon-esque "Ballad of T.V. Violence" and the haunting "Mandocello," to which former Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan lends a tasteful solo. (Corgan also contributes an honorific essay to the DVD's bonus material, which also includes six minutes of soundbite commentary from individual bandmembers.) Zander and lead guitarist Rick Nielsen churn things up on the closing "Gonna Raise Hell," and throughout the set drummer Bun E. Carlos and bassist Tom Petersson keep everything pulsing and locked in. The DVD's only shortcoming is its sound, which remains dynamically limited and essentially monaural, even in 5.1--a missed opportunity to put us right there in the club with the band.--Michael Mikesell