Legend CHEAP TRICK will release a new studio album next month, and as requested we are remembering their underrated 2003’s ”Special One”, in its Japanese Edition including bonus track.
‘Special One’ was a massive break in between studio albums for them and for their fans, 6 years of waiting. Eleven weeks after the release of their previous studio album in 1997, their record label went bankrupt and it ended the promotion of the album. But for ‘Special One’ Cheap Trick was still intact with Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson and Bun E. Carlos. Not many bands can say that.
While the early 2000’s wasn’t a great era for this type of music and the album only reached #128 on the Billboard Top 200, it’s a good one. One great thing is the band wrote every single song on the album with only a couple having any outside co-writes. As far as sound goes, it is a modern sounding Cheap Trick album which we don’t think is a bad thing, and it is guitar-driven with minimal to no use of keyboards.
The opening track and first single is “Scent of Woman”, updated in sound but still captures the Cheap Trick of old. Robin sings in a much deeper register and the band is heavier and darker in their tone. It is an upbeat rocker and comes at you and makes a statement for the band that they are still kicking and kicking hard. Sadly, no guitar solo, but Rick’s guitar is prominent throughout otherwise. Bun E. is pounding on sounds great and Tom’s bass groove is killer. All around an exceptional track and one of our favorites on the album.
Next up is “Too Much”, a midtempo track reminiscent of late ’80s Cheap Trick, and next title track “Special One” is very Beatlesque in the band’s usual style heavily influenced by the fab four. ”Pop Drone” comes on with an eerie intensity that is dark and yet inviting. Robin sounds amazing on this one as he sings with that higher pitch that is classic Zander sounding. Rick’s guitar is biting and sounds killer and he lays down a sweet solo.
“My Obsession” is a very radio friendly track and was a promo single for the album. It is catchy and fun. “Words” begins slow, but about half way through the intensity rises, the guitar is brought higher in the mix, the tempo is more upbeat.
“Sorry Boy” opens with a plethora of sounds all jumbled together and then kicks in to a great drum beat from Carlos and guitar riffing from Nielsen. Zander attacks the vocals with an evil tone accompanied by Petersson’s bass groove. It has a sinister vibe to it that is exciting, thrilling and interesting all at the same time. Cheap Trick push the envelope of experimenting with sounds and it works on all levels.
Another favorite on the album is “Best Friends” as Robin is attacking this one with shouts and screams and some great vocals. He seems really in to it and that gets you in to it as well. It starts off real slow and keeps building and building until it explodes. It is that explosion that grabs hold and really catches your attention. I have found on this album, when they really rock out, they achieve greatness and this is greatness.
Then the band goes all funk with “If I Could” as Tom lays down one funky-ass bass line. There is an hollow effect on Robin’s vocals to open and then it goes to normal and he sounds great. A very different vibe on this one.
The album ends a little weirdly with the same song twice under two different names. The first is a little over 2 minutes and is called “Low Life in High Heels”, it is mostly Robin humming to a drum beat and then some guitars and bass are added and the guitar eventually sounds like it is humming. It has a great groove and beat. There is some singing scattered about but minimal. It is like an unfinished track, but we love it. Rick’s playing is great and it feel fun.
The next is simply called “Hummer” and is basically a new version of the song that takes to over 4 minutes and I like it just the same. Dan “The Automater” (Beck) was brought in to do the remix. It is all bizarre, strange, weird and totally nuts, but all fantastically strange.
The bonus is the title track, half-sung in Japanese for the Asian fans, and slightly remixed.
With ”Special One” the band brought their sound in to the new millennium and still had a little of that old Cheap Trick sound, a mix to update their sound. It works most the time, and there’s some really good songs with that CT imprint that only they can create.
Highly Recommended
Victor, VICP～62179
Special One / チープ・トリック
01 – Scent Of A Woman
02 – Too Much
03 – Special One
04 – Pop Drone
05 – My Obsession
06 – Words
07 – Sorry Boy
08 – Best Friend
09 – If I Could
10 – Low Life In High Heels
11 – Hummer
12 – Special One (Japanese version) (Bonus track)
Robin Zander – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Rick Nielsen – lead guitar, backing vocals
Tom Petersson – bass, backing vocals
Bun E. Carlos – drums
CHEAP TRICK – Special One [Japan Edition +1 bonus] 2023, MP3+FLAC
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