Comments for Cheap Trick, Lap Of Luxury

I think there's a slight mistake here, "The Flame" reached number one in November (I think!) 1988, while "Don't Be Cruel" reached only number 4, (Incidentally, Cheap Trick is the only band ever to reach the Top 5 with a cover of an Elvis song since the King's death!) so I don't think you can say "The Flame" was only a moderate success. Which song do you hear on the radio still to this day? "The Flame"... Anyway, this is a great album and there was even a video released for the song "Never Had A Lot To Lose", which was filmed at the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago.

If memory serves, The Flame was number one on the AT40 charts for four consecutive weeks in the summer of 1988.

The success of this album was a great welcome surprise for Cheap Trick fans. Yet I have mixed feelings. It's a shame that they should achieve success on such a weak album (compared to earlier albums), while one of their best albums "Standing On the Edge" only managed one minor hit. I saw Cheap Trick live at a club in Canton, OH just before the release of this album. I hadn't expected Tom to be there but he was. They sounded incredible. Rick Nielson mentioned that they had a new album coming out called Lap Of Luxury and then preceeded to say "This next song is not on it". The best song to come out of this time period is "Through the Night" which isn't even on Lap Of Luxury.

Agreed that this was a commercial success but not the strongest album in terms of content. However, it was a welcome comeback for Tom Petersson and a damn sight better than the previous album, "The Doctor." My favorite song is the first one, "Let Go." Getting Tom back was definitely a step in the right direction which was to lead the band to better heights in the 1990s.

The first in a string of let-downs. Yes, this album and the ones that followed are good, but none of them (including their new 1997 album) come close to the Cheap Trick of old. The Doctor was a bizarre departure with its uncharacteristic use of keyboards, but get past this and you'll realize that it's nothing but a collection of top-notch Cheap Trick tunes. At least it had enthusiasm and great melodies. Lap of Luxury reintroduced Cheap Trick and this is wonderful. However, I have to agree that it is too bad they didn't gain such success with an album like Standing on the Edge. Had that have happened, then maybe it would have set a better standard for Cheap Trick albums that followed.

I must say, although it was scary to see the "Don't Be Cruel" video on the MOR Music Channel recently (the clothes Robin Zander wore should be burned}, I do recall seeing "The Flame" on MTV, when the song was first released, and thought how great it was for the band to get the recognition it deserved. It was too bad that "Busted" did not get the same response as "Lap of Luxury". By the way, the band also had a video for "Ghost Town" It was also unfortunate that Robin's "Surrender To Me" with Ann Wilson did not get the airplay it deserved. You can find that single on the "Tequila Sunrise" soundtrack.

No Fun

Tom Petersson returns and the group makes if big withtheir first number one hit "Don`t Be Cruel". After over ten yearsRick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Bun E.Carlos, along with theirlong lost bassist come together with their distinctive harddriving style. The ballad, "The Flame", achieved moderatesuccess also.

Lap of Luxury is such a double edged sword! I love this album because of Tom being back in the fold, and there are about 4 or 5 songs that I could do without, but it was a strong comeback for a band that had muddled around for about 7 years! Whether they hate it or not, The Flame brought them back in the limelight, and put them back on the map! I saw them when the 97 self titled album came out, and Robin did Ghosttown by himself and blew me away. So take it for what it's worth. I think it was stronger than the Doctor! Love it for the memories!

I happen to love this album. Thanks to the release of "The Flame I became a huge fan. Having Tom back was an awesome thing to happen for this well deserved band. I've always liked everything they've done and always will.