Like the history of the worst pop music...in reverse
Cheap Trick have always been a band I have deplored over my long and varied history as a music listener, largely because of the pompous character of their 1980s hits. Listening to "The Essential Cheap Trick" gives one the further impression that this group - often seen as underrated - really represents in reverse the history of pop music during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s at its worst. Only, Cheap Trick went in reverse order from the actually popular music of that period, thus only having a few - though big - hits.

The earliest work of the band, which was never commercially successful, is remarkably reminscent in sound of the noisy grunge of the 1990s that weaned me off commercial radio. Although it is certainly more emotional than their later work, the first album is still childish in tone. Moreover, the lack any sense of melody or even genuine sharpness means it does not sound that different from the worst aspects of hard rock. From their second album "In Color" onwards, the band became less a metal group and owed more to the annoying poper pop of the early 1970s. Already by the time of "I Want You To Want Me" the band sounds very shallow at best, and by the time of 1980's "Dream Police" they were truly gimmicky - a state Cheap trick were to remain in for a long time.

"If You Want My Love" is a tuneless pseudo-ballad that I have often though should be among a list of "50 Worst Songs", especially with Zander's voice - which at first at least tried to be passionate - already sounding incredibly thin. By "Standing on the Edge", the band specialised in the worst kind of power ballad no different from REO Speedwagon, and "The Flame" and "Can't Stop Falling Into Love" are just as bad.

All in all, Cheap Trick's history is like pop music's in reverse and one that should be a warning more than anything.

how about a greatest hits of all the movie and tv hits?
these guys have made a bunch of tunes for movies but i cant seem to find any on cd, spring break, up the creek, must be dreamin(from heavy metal). maybe its time to do that one! all of the flick songs!

They Still Rock!
This is a great CD but I strongly recommend that you just go ahead and purchase Cheap Trick, In Color and In Black and White, Heaven Tonight, Dream Police and Rockford. You'll also want Everything Works If You Let It in one form or other. If you don't have all of the music on the aforementioned CDs, you're truly missing out. The first time I saw them live was 30 years ago. The last time was last month. They are phenomenal live and, unlike most bands, their recordings capture that energy.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't rock after 50. These guys will ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!

A good collection but not the real thing
This is a pretty good collection of Cheap Trick but really this isn't a band that satisfies with a greatest hits collection. I think you'd do better to decide which of their hits you like and buy the albums from that era. It's the hidden gems on the albums that you'll be listening to for 20 years.

But, if you must, this is a good collection.

the essentials, and then some
The Essential Cheap Trick is a fine compilation with both the classics ("Surrender," "I Want You To Want Me," "The Flame" etc...) and a lot of really great songs that aren't as widely played in the mainstream and have been somewhat forgotten (of these I recommend "Tonight It's You" and "This Time Around," which is a really beautiful song.) This album covers a period of almost thirty years in the history of one of rock's best kept secrets. It is refreshing and a real treat, and I highly recommend it for both the old fans and the newly curious alike.