I’m no expert on the oeuvre of Cheap Trick but I do remember their 1979 album Dream Police being poo-pooed by some critics because of its big production and strings which made them sound like a Power-Pop ELO. Now I don’t know about you, but the idea of a “Power-Pop ELO” sounds great to me, and I’ve always loved every bombastic second of this record.
Download: Dream Police – Cheap Trick (mp3)
cryingallthewaytothechipshop.wordpress.com 
Have you heard the Steve Albini mix of In Color? Worth tracking down, but moving away from the ELO sound a tad š
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Cheap Trick fell off my radar in the early 1980’s, but those first half a dozen LP’s are riddled with powerpop gems like this one.
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When we talk about powerpop – where are Nick Lowe, Rockpile and The Motors?
Just asking – GvH
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