Artist: Cheap Trick Album: Next Position Please

Year: 1983
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Next Position Please by Cheap Trick

Those familiar with classic rock will undoubtedly know Cheap Trick. They've been around since the 1970s and have been churning out rock hits since. One of their lesser-known albums is Next Position Please, released in 1983. But what kind of album is it, and how does it stack up against their other work?

First things first, a brief history of Cheap Trick. The band was formed in Illinois in 1973 and gained popularity in the late 70s with their hits I Want You to Want Me and Surrender. They've been putting out albums consistently for decades, with Next Position Please being their seventh. The album is typical of Cheap Trick's sound: hard rock with catchy melodies.

The album falls into the power-pop subgenre of rock, characterized by its use of harmonies and melodious choruses. Next Position Please is no exception, with songs like I Can't Take It and Dancing the Night Away showcasing the band's love of catchy hooks. There's also a more mid-tempo ballad in Ghost Town, displaying the band's versatility.

While the album is solid, I wouldn't say it's their best work. There are a few standout tracks, such as Borderline and I Can't Take It, but overall, the album is forgettable. There isn't anything that really sets it apart from Cheap Trick's other work, and it lacks the energy and excitement of their earlier albums.

One innovative part of the album is the use of synthesizers. In their earlier work, Cheap Trick used mostly guitars and traditional rock instruments, but on Next Position Please, they experiment with more electronic sounds. While this gives the album a more modern feel, it also detracts from the traditional rock sound that the band is known for.

Overall, Next Position Please is a decent album, but it's not a standout in the Cheap Trick discography. If you're a die-hard fan, it's worth a listen, but if you're new to the band, I'd suggest starting with their earlier work.

In conclusion, Cheap Trick's Next Position Please is an average album that showcases the band's power-pop sound. While there are a few standout tracks, the album doesn't quite live up to their previous work. The addition of synthesizers is an interesting experiment, but it detracts from the band's traditional rock sound. If you're a fan of Cheap Trick, give this album a listen, but don't expect it to be their best work.