CHEAP TRICK next position please 25.3P-463

Power Pop Perfection: Cheap Trick’s ‘Next Position Please’ (25・3P-463)

Today’s entry highlights a classic release from the American power pop legends Cheap Trick. We are looking at the 1983 Japanese pressing of their seventh studio album, “Next Position Please,” released on the Epic label with the catalog number 25・3P-463.

This album holds a special place in the band’s discography largely due to its producer: the legendary Todd Rundgren. A longtime musical hero of the band, particularly guitarist Rick Nielsen, Rundgren helped steer Cheap Trick back toward their melodic, pop-rock roots after a period of heavier sounds. The result is often cited by fans and the band alike as one of their best-sounding and most cohesive records.

“Next Position Please” is a showcase of songwriting craftsmanship. It opens with the infectious “I Can’t Take It,” a track penned by vocalist Robin Zander that remains a power pop staple. Other highlights include the title track, the Rundgren-penned “Heaven’s Falling,” and the band’s cover of The Motors’ “Dancing The Night Away” (which was notably the only track not produced by Rundgren on the LP).

This Japanese pressing by Epic/Sony Inc. is a high-quality release. 25・3P-463 captures the band at a creative intersection where their hard rock energy met polished pop sensibilities, resulting in an enduring classic of the genre.