LAP OF LUXURY
Released: April 12, 1988
Genre: Rock/Hard Rock/ Pop Rock
Duration: 41:55
Label: Epic
Producer(s): Richie Zito
Certified: Platinum (Canada)
OVERVIEW
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – there’s nothing wrong with commercialism, as long as it’s done in a good and tasteful manner. Somehow, I always end up defending these so called “mainstream” records because a lot of people are too blind to understand that pretty much every little tune that came out, especially in the 80s, can be labelled as “commercial” or “mainstream” or “pop”. So the problem here is not why the artists decided to go into such direction, because it’s pretty obvious – they want to attract more audience and make a living. The question is how was this musical product made – is it good, what’s the quality, is it gonna quickly fade away or will it remain timeless? So many albums from the 80s are given this rather generalized characteristic which I really hate and Cheap Trick’s “Lap of Luxury” is one of those awesome albums which to some people is just another record that became huge because it followed the late-80s-pop/metal recipe for success. Yes it did follow the formula but it all turned out so good! The album is definitely not one of those raw and hard rocking and rolling albums but believe me it’s everything BUT bad!
“Lap of Luxury” gathers together a strong selection of rockers in which everyone can find a part of themselves I think. I have to start with the beautiful timeless power ballad “The Flame” which indeed came into their career at a moment Cheap Trick mostly needed it. The song became a #1 hit and it totally deserved it! Emotional vocals by Robin Zander; the lyrics are touching and as a whole you can’t but fall in love with the track – it’s just too captivating and it hits your hard with an underlying slaying power. I personally blame the guitars! The other ballad – “Ghost Town” doesn’t have that special flavor and it’s a bit too simple and blank for my tastes but I don’t hate it. The well-crafted rock hooks “Wrong Side of Love” (my favorite track from the album), “Never Had a lot to Lose” and “Let Go” are the essence of the album (along with the power ballad “The Flame”, of course). All three tracks are energetic, spirited and have such a strong solid sound. The cover of Elvis –“Don’t Be Cruel” is such a solid effort! Definitely worthy of checking it out!
What else can I say? 10 good powerful 80s pop rockers; a satisfying album full of good mood and two top5 tracks. I’m not saying it’s their best work (because it definitely isn’t) but I’m standing behind it with all my heart and soul! Listen to the tracks!
Tracklist
“Let Go”
“No Mercy”
“The Flame”
“Space”
“Never Had a lot to Lose”
“Don’t be Cruel”
“Wrong Side of Love”
“All We Need is a Dream”
“Ghost Town”
“All Wound Up”
The Flame
Wrong Side of Love
Don’t Be Cruel
Let Go
No Mercy
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