| | Cheap Trick Dream Police CD Cheap Trick Discography of CDs
 (7 Customer Reviews)
Although Cheap Trick's fourth studio album, DREAM POLICE, was ready for release at the beginning of 1979, it was delayed for nearly a year due to the surprise success of their hit single "I Want You To Want Me" and album AT BUDOKAN. When it did finally come out in September, it became the band's biggest studio album, peaking at #6 on the charts and going platinum.
There are more than a few Trick classics included on DREAM POLICE. The fiercely rocking title track (one of the band's most renowned compositions), "Way of the World," and two epics--the nearly ten-minute-long "Gonna Raise Hell" and a seven-and-a-half- minute rendition of "Need Your Love" (originally released as a live version on AT BUDOKAN) are all standouts. You'll also find a forgotten ballad, "Voices," which almost cracked the top 30.
At Budokan unexpectedly made Cheap Trick stars, largely because "I Want You to Want Me" had a tougher sound than its original studio incarnation. Perversely -- and most things Cheap Trick have done are somehow perverse -- the band decided not to continue with the direct, stripped-down sound of At Budokan, which would have been a return to their debut. Instead, the group went for their biggest, most elaborate production to date, taking the synthesized flourishes of Heaven Tonight to extremes. While it kept the group in the charts, it lessened the impact of the music. Underneath the gloss, there are a number of songs that rank among Cheap Trick's finest, particularly the paranoid title track, the epic rocker "Gonna Raise Hell," the tough "I Know What I Want," the simple pop of "Voices," and the closer, "Need Your Love." Still, Dream Police feels like a letdown in comparison to its predecessors, even though it would later feel like one of the group's last high-water marks. [An expanded edition of Dream Police was released in 2006 with four bonus tracks.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Recorded at Record Plant, Los Angeles, California.
Cheap Trick: Robin Zander (guitar); Tom Petersson (bass guitar); Rick Nielsen, Bun E. Carlos.
Personnel: Rick Nielsen (vocals, guitar, mandocello); Tom Petersson (vocals, 8-string bass, 12-string bass); Robin Zander (vocals); Bun E. Carlos (drums).
Liner Note Author: Ken Sharp.
Recording information: Daytona Beach, FL (1978-1988); Los Angeles Forum (1978-1988); Record Plant, Hollywood, CA (1978-1988).
Authors: Bun E. Carlos; Rick Nielsen.
Photographers: Lynn Goldsmith; Reid Miles.
Cheap Trick: Robin Zander (vocals, guitar); Rick Nielsen (guitar, mandocello, background vocals); Tom Petersson (electric, 8- & 12-string basses, background vocals); Bun E. Carlos (drums).
Additional personnel: Jai Winding (piano, organ).
Q (p.124) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "A band with a toehold not only in the excesses of early-'70s guitar rock but also the pop sensibilities of new wave and disco, they pulled off this gymnastic feat with their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks."
Uncut (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] pummeling assault of stadium riffs and bonkers lyrics....If only all rock was this smart."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.124) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "DREAM POLICE is hard rock at its smartest: witty, punchy, inventive, heavily Beatles-influenced and full of killer hooks." Cheap Trick Dream Police Songs Dream Police Music Review Average Rating: (3.4 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews 3 Stars + 1
"Dream Police" is the best second-generation cheap trick album (the first generation being their self-titled debut, In Color, and Heaven Tonight). The four bonus tracks are a nice addition, especially the studio (no strings) version of Dream Police (the song). This album stands the test of time and provided a bridge for the band to move into modern pop with the use of synthesizers as a primary sound source (on tracks like "Dream Police", "Way of the World", and "Tonight"). "Voices" still stands out as a highlight track, but "Gonna Raise Hell" was a bad turn for the band and "Need Your Love" was already competently handled on "At Budokhan". I would still LOVE to hear the band's rendition of "It Must Be Love" that didn't make the album cut and ended up getting recorded by Rick Derringer. Maybe one of these days.
Submitted by David B. (Seattle, WA, USA, Planet Earth) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
 Well...
...the remastering isn't all that great. I read somewhere that the Japanese version of this CD is MUCH better!
Submitted by exfedex2000 (East Hartford, CT)
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One of the Trick's finest
Many fans and critics thought that this release was anti-climactic after the raw, unbridaled joy that is "At Budokan", But give this another listen. It is one of their best. It certainly doesn't have the raw energy of Budokan, there are string arrangements on a few cuts but I think it only adds to the tunes. Dream Police has great rock tunes and pop tunes along with one of their best ballads in "Voices". Of course the title track is one of their finest. Underrated gems like "Writing on the Wall" and "Tonight". The latter being one of Joey Ramones favorite tunes. He covered it before his death with a band called 22 Jacks. This album also has the studio version of "Need Your Love" which was previewed on "At Budokan". If you're a Trick fan, you already own this but if you are a fan of Hard rock with a pop flair this is an album that you should own.
Submitted by TRICKJEFF34 (South Elgin, IL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No A Great CD finally remastered
It's nice to see Sony finally remaster 2 more Cheap Trick CD's,this and All Shook Up get a much needed upgrade.The whole CD rocks and with the standout tracks Dream Police,Way of the World,Voices and Gonna Raise Hell it's a must for any collection. The bonus tracks are the icing on the cake but just having it sound better is worth getting the upgraded version.Now bring on One on One and Standing on the Edge and I'll be happy.
Submitted by Steve (Chicago,IL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Cheap Trick's Classic Gets Ho Hum Remastering!
Sony/Legacy's remastering has never been very good, especially when compared to the Rhino remasters. I was dissapointed in the sound quality in Dream Police but until Sony gets on the ball and does a better job remastering there's not much we can do. The album speaks for itself as being on of the last decent Cheap Trick releases. The band was at their peak when Dream Police was released and until recently with the release of their excellent Rockford cd haven't really released a strong album since. Cheap Trick fans will want this latest remastered version in their collection and no doubt will chuck the older non-remastered version into the garbage can, but it isn't perfect by a long shot!
Submitted by B.C. ("Hallandale Beach,Fl.,USA")
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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