“Heaven Tonight” by Cheap Trick - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1978 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s

Released in May 1978, this was the third album from the power-pop quartet outta Illinois, beloved of Joey Ramone. I could never quite trust ’em myself - the Sweet / Kiss / Dolls hybrid is generally just a bit too messy for me. Considered Cheap Trick’s best album by many fans and critics though, with the common consensus that it’s “a hook-filled pop-rock album with an attitude”. I can find some worth in the opening highlight “Surrender”, a tune which gave the band their first Billboard pop hit, peaking at No. 62. Next best is “Heaven Tonight”, a more moody, texture-laden slow burner, noteable for Tom Petersson’s world premiere of the 12 string bass guitar. How musos the world over delighted. In all there are ten originals onboard plus one cover - a rather banal reading of The Move’s final single “California Man” (1972). This album made them megastars in Japan you know. Alphaville were listening in…

The Jukebox Rebel
06–Nov–2008

Tracklist

A1	[04:16] Cheap Trick - Surrender (Rick Nielson) Rock
A2	[04:01] Cheap Trick - On Top Of The World (Rick Nielson) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A3	[03:44] Cheap Trick - California Man (Roy Wood) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A4	[03:58] Cheap Trick - High Roller (Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, Robin Zander) Rock
A5	[03:42] Cheap Trick - Auf Wiedersehen (Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson) Rock
B1	[04:52] Cheap Trick - Takin’ Me Back (Rick Nielson) Rock
B2	[04:33] Cheap Trick - On The Radio (Rick Nielson) Rock
B3	[05:25] Cheap Trick - Heaven Tonight (Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson) Rock
B4	[03:40] Cheap Trick - Stiff Competition (Rick Nielson) Rock
B5	[04:21] Cheap Trick - How Are You? (Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson) Rock
B6	[01:10] Cheap Trick - Oh Claire (Bun E. Carlos, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, Robin Zander) Rock

ratings by TJR