I think that the Cheap Trick boxset bears out that Rick Nielsen didn't lose
his touch, but rather that SONY kept pressuring the band to do what SONY
felt was commercial - trying to get the "big hit," which they did by
flinging many hit or miss ideas at the wall.  These ideas included recording
songs written by outside composers like Diane Warren, doing covers, etc.
Eventually this led to hit singles like "The Flame" and "Don't Be Cruel,"
but you'll note that once the SONY contract was up they high-tailed it to
Warner Bros. and did an album of their own material (which naturally didn't
do well since their image was thoroughly screwed up by the aforementioned
hit singles).  Definitely a frustrating situation, as was the circumstance
of the label which released CT's last studio disc folding shortly after the
disc streeting.  Six years for a band to get an arrangement in place to
properly distribute a record that they wanted to do their way is not
uncommon in this day and age; in fact, it may sadly become more common as
the majors continue to lose touch with what listeners really want.

Brioohs, having an "enforced" night off due to midwestern snowstorm

NP:  Rocktopus - I Love You! Good Morning!

P.S. - Kelly, the Stalker Hearts went over big time at The Oohs' Valentine
date, thanks again!


on 2/15/03 4:00 PM, audities-owner@smoe.org at audities-owner@smoe.org
wrote:

>> I know this will sound like a broken record, but Rick Nielsen must've made a
>> deal with the devil or something.  Will he ever lose his touch?
> 
> Hey, I love Cheap Trick and all, but don't you think he *kinda* lost his
> touch in the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s? :) --Jason