‘Standing On The Edge’ was something of a beacon in the dark as well, returning Cheap Trick to the top 40 album charts after the commercially disasterous (but very good) ‘Next Position Please’ album.
Written by: Lee South Africa
ARTIST: Cheap Trick
ALBUM: Standing On The Edge
LABEL: Epic
SERIAL: EPC 39592 (LP), EK 39592 (CD)
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Robin Zander – vocals, guitars * Rick Neilson – guitars * Jon Brant – bass * Bun E Carlos – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Little Sister * 02 She’s Got Motion * 03 Tonight It’s You * 04 Love Comes * 05 How About You * 06 Standing On The Edge * 07 This Time Around * 08 Cover Girl * 09 Wild Wild Women
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Cheap Trick have encountered two dramatic commercial peaks in their colourful career, first with the 4 million selling ‘Live At Budokan’ live record in 1979, and then 1988’s double platinum studio smash ‘Lap Of Luxury’, complete with the #1 single ‘The Flame’.
‘Standing On The Edge’ was something of a beacon in the dark as well, returning Cheap Trick to the top 40 album charts after the commercially disasterous (but very good) ‘Next Position Please’ album. Epic Records decided it was time to bring in a collaborator, so enter Mark Radice, songwriter and keyboardist extraordinaire, although 707‘s Tod Howarth would take up that role in the live setting.
The Songs
One side one we’re faced with a pair of raunchy yet melodic high tech rockers in the form of ‘Little Sister’ and ‘She’s Got Motion’. But it’s the ‘Beatles gone AOR’ power ballad ‘Tonight It’s You’ that steals the show, along with the lilting, even ethereal midtempo AOR of ‘Love Comes’. ‘How About You’ is an energetic rocker which improves with repeated listening.
Side two kicks off with the title track, very big on tempo changes this one, but those sweeping melodies will melt your heart. ‘This Time Around’ could easily define the phrase ‘haunting mid tempo AOR’. Robin Zander shows off his vocal versatility on this one, carrying the chorus alone and with style. Rick’s classy acoustic picking adds something special to make this track’s case for classic status very strong indeed.
‘Cover Girl’ brings on the infectious layered vocals, a very rewarding listen, while the album closer ‘Wild Wild Women’ sounds something like a more melodic AC/DC with a superior singer.
In Summary
While pro grunge journalists would have you believe that their first three albums are the good oil, don’t be fooled. There’s a wealth of melodic AOR of the highest calibre to enjoy from these guys, especially if you stick to the 80’s material. Having said that, 1994’s ‘Woke Up With A Monster’ has some great AOR moments as well. There are other Trick albums that deserve a review, and we’ll certainly get to them. All of their albums are available on CD, most through Epic/Sony.
Cheap Trick on. Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
