Cheap Trick - At Budokan (Live) (1979/2015) [Hi-Res]

Strangely enough, Cheap Trick's big breakthrough, 1979's „At Budokan“, was almost never released stateside. The band had become superstars in Japan on the strength of their first three studio albums, and when they toured the country in '78, several of their shows were taped for a Japan-only live release. When the resulting album began racking up impressive sales in the U.S. as an expensive import, Epic wisely released it domestically, where it peaked at #4 on the Billboard charts and spawned the top ten hit single "I Want You To Want Me."

One of the reasons for the album's success is that it resembles the raw, direct approach of their self-titled debut, rather than their other two more produced releases. Add the energy of a concert setting, and you have one of the greatest live rock albums ever. If you were to own only a single Cheap Trick release, „At Budokan“ would be the one.

„While their records were entertaining and full of skillful pop, it wasn't until At Budokan that Cheap Trick's vision truly gelled. Many of these songs, like "I Want You to Want Me" and "Big Eyes," were pleasant in their original form, but seemed more like sketches compared to the roaring versions on this album. With their ear-shatteringly loud guitars and sweet melodies, Cheap Trick unwittingly paved the way for much of the hard rock of the next decade, as well as a surprising amount of alternative rock of the 1990s, and it was At Budokan that captured the band in all of its power.“ (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG)

"...Now, in correct sequence, with digitally remastered (and apparently amplified) audience shrieks, one of rock's crucial live documents just got a little livelier." (Entertainment Weekly)

Robin Zander, lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Rick Nielsen, lead guitar, backing vocals
Tom Petersson, bass, backing vocals
Bun E. Carlos, drums, percussion

Recorded April 28 & 30, 1978 at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Engineered by Tomoo Suzuki
Produce by Cheap Trick

Digitally remastered