What does it sound like?:
You’ve got to hand it to the Cheap Trick lads. Three out of the four original members are still banging out Rock albums, full of new original material, in their mid seventies. Robin Zander’s scream hasn’t lost a single decibel, Tom Petersson’s bass continues to pulsate with virility, and Rick Nielsson’s lead guitar scorches with the exuberance of a teenager. Only the drummer has been replaced, by Nielsson’s son and he’s now fifty-five. Zander’s son also helps out on guitar. All Washed Up is their twenty-first studio album, the title referencing their fifth, All Shook Up released in 1980, and it’s as good as anything they’ve done.
Cheap Trick have a happy knack of blending melody with raw aggression, old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll showmanship with the menace, and brain-melting metal with the youthful degeneracy. There is good reason they were revered by nineties grunge acts such as Nirvana. They are a little less irresponsible these days and pace themselves a little more, leaning towards the power-pop end of their sound and away from hard-rock. However, they have never taken themselves very seriously and have always had a charming line in self deprecation. The clue is the band’s name and this album’s title.
The opening three tracks are made to be played on classic rock radio stations, the ones still living in the late seventies. The lyrics are generic, but demonstrate a commitment to growing old disgracefully.They take a bit of a breather for Bet It All and follow that with a toe-curling ballad, The Best Thing. Thereafter, All Washed Up is a very accomplished pop album, packed with a number of potential singles. They throw in a couple of surprises at the end. The penultimate song, A Long Way To Worcester, is reflective, regretful, aching for a lost love. It’s quite a shock, surrounded as it is by self-obsessed hedonism. Then, the finale is a jolly ukulele driven knees up with finger clicks and a clarinet. You can almost hear the mic drop at the sudden conclusion.
Cheap Trick have to be admired for their longevity, but it’s their joi de vivre, acceptance of their limitations and maximisation of their capabilities that impress the most. They are a band whose success seemed to fall into their lap. They have no pretentions of making great art, but are clearly living in the moment, enjoying every second.
What does it all *mean*?
It is possible to love the past without despising the present.
Goes well with…
The live experience. All Washed Up will fuel their live show, which continues to roll around the world.
Release Date:
14/11/2025
Might suit people who like…
Electric guitars.
Twelve Gates
Love Cheap Trick and it remains one of my big regrets that the only times I have had the chance to see them they have been supporting awful AOR 70s “rawk” bands who should be below them on the bill.
Fingers crossed they might do a standalone tour and hit Vicar Street or the Olympia on the back of this one
I saw them at Oxford Poly in 1976 and they were brilliant. Rick had his 5 neck guitar etc. He threw handfuls of his plectrums into the audience and obviously I still have one!
I’ve been a fan since their debut album ‘bending melody with raw aggression’ nail hit on the head Mr T.G.
A concise and thoughtful review
Thank you. Too many ‘the’s in that sentence and too many commas in the opening one.
Lovely review. If Cheap Trick have a new drummer in his 50s he’ll still look younger than their original drummer did in the 70s.
Surrender is my favourite Trick track. The only song I can think of that mentions Indonesia, the Philippines and KISS.
Arf! Daxx Nielsson subbed in 2001 & became a full member in 2010, fifteen years ago!
Surrender, yes especially the live version. On yellow vinyl natch
Not a big fan. Dream Police is pretty fine though. I saw them live in 2009 I think, my late friend John won tickets in a competition so I got to go for free (small venue in Toronto). It was a very enjoyable show and we had a great night. I am glad John got to see them one more time last year supporting Heart in a big arena
Dream Police is ace!
I will have to investigate this new album , thanks @tiggerlion
Saw them in (checking) January 1979. Leicester University. My best/favourite gig ever (along with Kraftwork playing a Sellafield warm up at Leicester Polytechnic 18 June 1992 – they came on late as they were watching Germany play Netherlands Euro 1992)
Cheap trick was just before they did Rock goes to College on BBC ( (which I taped onto cassette) and I think a few days before Budokan was released. Such raw energy.
Leics Poly capacity about 1200. You can imagine seeing Kraftwerk in a venue that size! You could see the whites of their diodes. (I’ll get my coat …)