At Budokan (Live)

With the success of Kiss Alive and Frampton Comes Alive, live albums became an essential staple of every notable ‘70s rock act. You hadn’t arrived until you issued a collection of your best-known work swallowed up in the abundant cheers of your rabid fan base. Hard rock bands routinely had problems capturing the adrenaline and raw power of their best work in the sterile confines of the recording studio. Live albums enabled them to loosen up and let nature guide its course. Nowhere is that more evident than with Cheap Trick, a group who had recorded three powerful studio albums (Cheap Trick, In Color, Heaven Tonight) without completely capturing their fun-loving essence. At Budokan immediately corrects the problem. From the opening rave-up of “Hello There” to the manic pummel of “Clock Strikes Ten,” this mischievous quartet never misfire. Guitarist Rick Nielsen’s guitar leads are quick and to the point and his songs never sounded more urgent. The band’s ultimate anthem, “Surrender,” goes over the top, while Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That A Shame” and Nielsen’s “I Want You to Want Me” are unusually intimate considering the public atmosphere. A great place to start.