New Song Alert: Rock Vets Cheap Trick Release “Twelve Gates” Announce New LP, ‘All Washed Up’
Maybe it’s the fabulous fall-like weather we’ve been having but I woke up in a pretty good mood today, which is not my usual M.O. (modus operandi for all you who don’t watch cop shows). Just when I thought today couldn’t get any better a little good news out of Rockford, Illinois came my way when venerable rock/pop-rock band Cheap Trick released a new single, “Twelve Gates,” and announced their new album, coming out November 14th, All Washed Up. The album art, taken from the internet above, shows four washers lined up with each machine symbolizing a different member of the band. From left to right I read it as Rick Nielsen (guitars), Robin Zander (vocals), Tom Petersson (bass) and Daxx Nielsen (drums & Rick’s son). I don’t think Daxx is officially “in” the band but he’s been playing with them since roughly 2010 which is when I think they split with original drummer Bun E. Carlos.
I have liked Cheap Trick for as long as I can remember listening to rock n roll. I remember listening to their live album, At Budokan, on the mysterious 8-track player in my buddy Brewster’s Monza on the way to school in the mornings. Man, we’d crank that thing…the live versions of “Surrender,” and “I Want You To Want Me” are etched in my mind…well, as much as I remember anything from those hazy days. Amazing to me that Budokan wasn’t a double-live album, but just a one disc live LP. Either way it’s one of those essential live albums everyone should hear/own. Their career has had it’s ups and downs but after some of the weaker albums (All Shook Up or The Doctor) there was always a comeback album right around the corner (Next Position Please or Lap Of Luxury). Such is the vicissitudes of a long career in rock n roll. Even on the weaker albums there were always a few classic tunes (“She’s Tight” springs to mind).
Cheap Trick have always cleaved to that basic two guitars (sometimes one), vocals, bass and drums sound that I just love. While I’ve always thought they were rock n roll I’ve seen them also described as pop rock, which just means they rock with nice pop hooks and great melodies. The influence of earlier 70s pop rock band Big Star is clearly apparent. Since I’ve been doing B&V they’ve had a string of great albums – Bang Zoom Crazy… Hello (2016), We’re All Alright! (2017) a personal favorite, and In Another World (2021) which admittedly has grown on me since it’s release. “Summer Looks Good On You” is one of my favorite tunes on our Playlist: Summer/Sun/Beach 2.0. If you’re into rock n roll, there aren’t many folks who still practice the way Cheap Trick does so a new song and upcoming album are indeed good news.
“Twelve Gates” is a quintessential Cheap Trick track. It starts with guitar/drums/bass and a wordless, Beatlesque vocal harmony (yes, the Beatles are a clear influence as well). This isn’t an in your face rocker, it’s an upbeat Cheap Trick tune with guitar and drums moving you along. This song is an absolute earworm of a tune. I’ve listened to this thing over and over today and even when I left the B&V lab to grab lunch it was running through my head. It’s as catchy as Covid. Robin Zander remains a fabulous lead vocalist. His singing is what really makes this tune. And of course Rick Nielsen’s guitars are all over this thing, his guitar solo is slinky and rubbery and I dig it. It’s longing and hopeful and vulnerable lyrically all at the same time… When Robin sings, “Maybe, maybe a change of heart, Maybe it’s just a brand new start” it just sounds hopeful. But then “maybe” always does sound hopeful. Here’s the “visualizer” video from YouTube:
I can’t wait for the new album. It may be titled All Washed Up, but this track clearly tells me they are far from it. It’s probably no surprise that in my obsessive nature about music I walk around with a list of groups/artists I think are due for an album… I check their websites and socials because I have rock n roll FOMO – fear of missing out on a new album from the jump. Cheap Trick was one of those bands I felt was overdue so I’m very pleased today. They were the first band I saw coming out of the pandemic when they opened for Joan Jett and they were fabulous. If they come by on a tour I will definitely be in the crowd with my “Cheap Trick Cheap Trick Cheap Trick” t-shirt on! Now, if we could just get Beck or Fiona Apple to kick out a record I can stop obsessing about them being overdue as well… but best I just count myself happy to have a new Cheap Trick tune! Live in the now, baby!
Cheers!
Great track, glad they’re back with some new output. I preordered the album on Amazon. Cool looking cover… back to there 70s quirky album covers …
Yeah, I really like this track… obviously. I’m with you, I used to love those old album covers with the two good lookin’ dudes on the front and the wacky guys on the back like ‘In Color’ or ‘Heaven Tonight.’ ‘Dream Police’ was always great. I’m hoping the album knocks me out the same way the single has!! Cheers and thank you!
Cool, I like it!đź‘Ť
Awesome!
Yeah this song Twelve Gates grows on me.. mostly I like it because it’s Cheap Trick!
I saw them at a small venue in Chicago in the early 90’s… The audience was kind of dead, but the band absolutely rocked.
I’ve only seen them as openers, first in the 80s for, of all people, REO Speedwagon after REO had sold out as corporate rockers with “Keep The Fire Burning.” And then a second stint as openers for Joan Jett right after covid… I thought Cheap Trick should have opened that night, they were the better band. I’ve been thinking of one of my favorite mottos lately, “When at the pool party on the roof, always choose the large vodka glass…” Cheers! my dear friend!
“When at the pool party on the roof, always choose the large vodka glass…”. Words to live by… that and… “Don’t ride a bicycle after drinking a Big Gulp size of vodka!”
I believe I might’ve bee with my old buddy DJ at that concert.
Drunks on a bike indeed… oh so many memories… DJ at a Cheap Trick concert! He reads B&V so we’ll have to see if he remembers that! Cheers!
Afterward we argued over a misunderstanding…then wrestled on the parkway like our lives depended on it.
LOL… I would expect no less from the two of you in your “heyday.”
I only know Cheap Trick by name and have always considered them as a rarity. But I have to admit, this is a very good song that reminds me a bit of the music of Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs. Not bad at all.
Guy! Cheap Trick are a great band with a long and rather up and down history if I’m being honest. But I think they’ve hit the ball out of the park on this single! Definitely a band with roots in the 70s that are worth checking out!! Thank you!!
For decades, I’ve confused the group Cheap Trick with Spark. You know, the rarity group with brothers Ron and Russell Mael? Don’t ask me why. I’m already embarrassed enough. Cheers
I saw an article about Spark in some rock n roll magazine recently, sadly didn’t read it as I’ve never heard of them before that. I don’t think I’d recognize one of their tunes if it was playing in the B&V labs right now! Cheap Trick are from Rockford, Illinois! The only thing novelty about them is the lead guitar player, Rick Nielsen who is a little goofy looking and is fond of guitars with six necks. Good band to explore although it is hit and miss with them!! Cheers!