Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 04/29/2008
At Budokan was the pivotal album for
Cheap Trick, the one that made them stars. The louder, harder-rocking versions of such
Rick Nielsen classics as
"I Want You to Want Me" and
"Come On, Come On" connected with a wide audience in a way the studio recordings didn't, and the record consequently became a smash. Given its enduring popularity, it wasn't surprising that
Epic and
Cheap Trick celebrated its 20th anniversary by releasing
The Complete Concert, a double-disc set that contains all of the 19 songs the band had performed. Much of this material was released on
Budokan II, but this set restores all the music to its original running order, making it an entirely unique album in its own right. There's no question that the music is terrific and it certainly is interesting to hear all of this the way it was actually performed, but
The Complete Concert doesn't have the punch of the original album, which hit hard at only ten tracks. The length of this set might make it frustrating for some fans, but any hardcore
Trick fan will need this comprehensive, detailed document of the band's most celebrated concert. [
Sony Japan's 2008 edition included a bonus DVD.]
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
;)
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