CHEAP TRICK in color PE34884

Military Issue Power Pop: Cheap Trick’s ‘In Color’ (PE 34884)

Today’s entry highlights a fascinating variation of a power pop classic, specifically a copy sold through US military channels. We are looking at the 1977 US pressing of In Color by Cheap Trick, released on Epic Records with the catalog number PE 34884.

The Governmental Stamp

The most defining feature of your specific copy is the gold foil stamp on the back cover that reads “For Governmental Sale Only”. This stamp indicates that this record was originally sold at a US Military Exchange (PX or BX) on a military base, likely overseas or on a large domestic base. These copies were tax-exempt and strictly for sale to active military personnel. While often confused with “Promotional” or “Demonstration” copies which were given to radio stations, this is actually a retail copy intended for a specific, restricted market. It is a cool artifact of the era, showing that this record likely traveled with a service member.

Pressing Details

This copy possesses all the hallmarks of an early, authentic 1977 US pressing. It features the classic solid Orange Epic Label with white concentric circles. This label design was used for the initial run before Epic switched to the blue label in the late 70s and early 80s. The absence of a barcode on the back cover confirms it is an early pressing, as barcodes became standard on album covers in the early 1980s. The album is housed in a gatefold sleeve. A quirky feature of this release is that the back cover is often printed upside down relative to the front cover. This was an intentional design choice so that when the gatefold is opened, the full band photo on the front and back can be viewed vertically as one large image.

The Music

Produced by Tom Werman, this album polished the rough edges of their debut to create a radio-friendly masterpiece. It features the studio version of I Want You to Want Me, which is more whimsical than the famous Budokan live version, the explosive opener Hello There, and fan favorites like Big Eyes and Southern Girls. It remains one of the definitive albums of the power pop genre.