Cheap Trick - In Color - 1977
Grade: A+

Let me begin with full disclosure - I believe that Cheap Trick was perhaps the finest power-pop band ever, and certainly one of the best bands in any genre from 1976-1982. Bun E. Carlos is one of my drumming heroes, and Rick Nielsen is among my favorite guitarists. Having come clean on these points, I do not hesitate to claim that this is one of the finest albums in my collection. There is simply not a weak track here, from the quintessential opener "Hello There", to the studio version of their biggest hit "I Want You To Want Me", to the classic "Southern Girls", all the way to the awesome closer "So Good To See You" (surpassed as a closer by only "Auf Wiedersehen", which closed side one of their next LP, Heaven Tonight) . This is nothing more or less than an incredible band at their peak. If there is a finer representation of their work, it could only be the following, aforementioned Heaven Tonight or the Live At Budokan LP. In fact, don't bother with splitting hairs - go and buy all of them. Your life will be all the much better for it.

Badfinger's story is perhaps the saddest of all talented bands. Signed to Apple records by the Beatles, they inevitably suffered in comparison to their mentors, not least of all because their first hit, "Come And Get It" was written by one Paul McCartney. No less than half of the band committed suicide due to their horrible fate. Yet Badfinger was much, much better than their reputation would have had you believe. Gifted with two excellent songwriters in Pete Ham and Joey Molland, and an excellent vocal blend, Badfinger was easily in the top ten pop bands of the early 70s. Widely regarded as their finest work, this LP is truly a gem. "Take It All" kicks it off with a wistful Ham number, leading into "Baby Blue", a huge hit still played on oldies radio today. "Day After Day", featuring George Harrison on slide guitar, was also a big hit. But the hits tell only part of the story - the LP tracks are just as good! Especially "Name Of The Game", "Sweet Tuesday Morning", "Sometimes" and "Perfection". Again, treat yourself and pick up this album. You will most assuredly not regret it.

OK, the theme this time out is excellent pop LPs that you ought to own. I reviewed the lesser London Town in the last batch of reviews, so I figured I'd give the far better LP it's due. Whether or not this is Paul McCartney's best work as a solo artist is up for an interesting debate - but anyone who denies that this is the best Wings LP is simply wrong (and no, I won't debate it). "Band On The Run" is a great song, as are "Jet", "No Words" and "Let Me Roll It", even if the latter is a bit long. OK, "Mrs. Vandebilt" is only partially successful, as is "Bluebird" - and "Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five" is a bit contrived (although rocking). But the overall listening experience gained by hearing the LP in it's entirety is quite worthwhile. This was recorded way back when albums were treated as albums, and it shows. If you want a list of ten Macca albums to own, let me know - but if you want to pick up only one Wings disc, make it this one. Hell, just picl it up anyhow - again, you really should own this one if you are a music fan.