In Color
Encyclopedia
In Color is the second studio album by Cheap Trick
, released in 1977. It was produced by Tom Werman
.
This album is considered a classic of the power pop
genre as well as one of the best rock
albums ever recorded. The album was ranked No. 4 on Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide. In 2003, the album was also ranked number 448 on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
.
The album made the band superstars in Japan, where "I Want You to Want Me" and "Clock Strikes Ten" were hit singles, with the latter hitting #1 on the Japanese charts.
Five of the ten tracks on In Color were later released in live form on Cheap Trick's classic live album
Cheap Trick at Budokan ("Hello There", "Big Eyes", "I Want You to Want Me", "Clock Strikes Ten" and "Come On, Come On").
In Colors front cover has a color photo of Zander and Petersson sitting on motorcycles with the words "Cheap Trick, In Color." across the top. Its back cover has an upside-down black-and-white photo of Carlos and Nielsen sitting on bicycles with the words "And In Black and White." across the top.
. The band's intention was to record the album on their own terms and for the songs to sound the way that they had originally intended. However, the album was never officially completed or released, but it was leaked onto the internet along with a handful of other tracks recorded during the same session.
In September 2008, the re-recorded version of "Hello There" was featured in the trailer of upcoming video game Rock Band 2
, raising suspicions that the album may have been finished, or at least that track. "Hello There" had been previously announced as a playable track, but it was unknown which version.
"Oh Boy," the B-side of the single "I Want You to Want Me" was re-recorded with vocals in 1980. It was released in 2003 on the "Oh Boy (Demo)/If You Want My Love (Demo)" promotional seven-inch vinyl record.
In April 2010, Rick Nielsen confirmed to the online music site Spinner
that the band had in fact finished re-recording the album and planned to release the new version in "the not so distant future".
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
, released in 1977. It was produced by Tom Werman
Tom Werman
Tom Werman was an A&R man and record producer for Epic Records from 1970 into 1982. He has produced albums by acts including Mother's Finest, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, Molly Hatchet, Blue Öyster Cult, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Stryper, Kix, LA Guns, and Poison. While in A&R at Epic Records, he...
.
This album is considered a classic of the power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
genre as well as one of the best rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
albums ever recorded. The album was ranked No. 4 on Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide. In 2003, the album was also ranked number 448 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
.
Overview
In Color, as opposed to the band's self-titled debut, features a more polished production in the hopes of making a commercial impact. While the band members complained that the album lost its power through Tom Werman's overproduction, In Color does show the band's more melodic side that was partially lost on the debut.The album made the band superstars in Japan, where "I Want You to Want Me" and "Clock Strikes Ten" were hit singles, with the latter hitting #1 on the Japanese charts.
Five of the ten tracks on In Color were later released in live form on Cheap Trick's classic live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
Cheap Trick at Budokan ("Hello There", "Big Eyes", "I Want You to Want Me", "Clock Strikes Ten" and "Come On, Come On").
In Colors front cover has a color photo of Zander and Petersson sitting on motorcycles with the words "Cheap Trick, In Color." across the top. Its back cover has an upside-down black-and-white photo of Carlos and Nielsen sitting on bicycles with the words "And In Black and White." across the top.
Re-recorded version
In Color was re-recorded by the band in 1998 with producer Steve AlbiniSteve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
. The band's intention was to record the album on their own terms and for the songs to sound the way that they had originally intended. However, the album was never officially completed or released, but it was leaked onto the internet along with a handful of other tracks recorded during the same session.
In September 2008, the re-recorded version of "Hello There" was featured in the trailer of upcoming video game Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
, raising suspicions that the album may have been finished, or at least that track. "Hello There" had been previously announced as a playable track, but it was unknown which version.
"Oh Boy," the B-side of the single "I Want You to Want Me" was re-recorded with vocals in 1980. It was released in 2003 on the "Oh Boy (Demo)/If You Want My Love (Demo)" promotional seven-inch vinyl record.
In April 2010, Rick Nielsen confirmed to the online music site Spinner
Spinner (website)
Spinner is an AOL Music property, which bills itself as "the ultimate music blog for free MP3s, free CD listening, [and] discovering new artists."...
that the band had in fact finished re-recording the album and planned to release the new version in "the not so distant future".
Side One
- "Hello ThereHello There"Hello There" is a song written by Rick Nielsen and first released on Cheap Trick's 1977 album In Color. The song was also often used as the first song of Cheap Trick concerts, and as a result was the first song on the band's seminal live album Cheap Trick at Budokan. The song is a frantic,...
" – 1:41 - "Big Eyes" – 3:10
- "Downed" – 4:12
- "I Want You to Want MeI Want You to Want Me"I Want You to Want Me" is a song by Cheap Trick which first appeared on their second album In Color in 1977. It was the first single released from that album but it didn't chart in the US. However, it was a #1 single in Japan...
" – 3:11 - "You're All Talk" (Rick NielsenRick Nielsen-External links:* * *...
, Tom PeterssonTom PeterssonTom Petersson is an American musician, best known as the bassist and sometime guitarist for the rock band Cheap Trick.-Career:...
) – 3:36
Side Two
- "Oh Caroline" – 2:59
- "Clock Strikes TenClock Strikes Ten"Clock Strikes Ten" is a song released in 1977 by Cheap Trick on their second album, In Color. It was written by Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen. It was released as a single in Japan, where it was a major hit and reached #1 on their singles chart...
" – 2:59 - "Southern Girls" (Nielsen, Petersson) – 3:44
- "Come On, Come On" – 2:41
- "So Good to See You" – 3:37
Bonus tracks (1998 Reissue)
The 1998 reissue of In Color featured five bonus tracks, including "Oh Boy," which was the b-side to "I Want You to Want Me," and "Goodnight," the live show-closing variation on "Hello There."- "Oh Boy" (Instrumental version) – 3:09
- "Southern Girls" (Demo) (Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson) – 3:03
- "Come On, Come On" (Demo) – 2:04
- "You're All Talk" (Live) (Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson) – 3:41
- "Goodnight" (Live) – 2:19
Singles (Side A/Side B)
- 1977: "I Want You To Want Me/Oh Boy"
- 1977: "Southern Girls/You're All Talk"
- 1977: "Clock Strikes Ten/So Good To See You" (Japan) #1 JAP
- 1978: "So Good To See You/You're All Talk"
Personnel
- Robin ZanderRobin ZanderRobin Wayne Zander is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Cheap Trick.-Early life:Zander was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, the fourth of five children; he has two older brothers, and older and younger sisters....
- lead vocals, rhythm guitar - Rick NielsenRick Nielsen-External links:* * *...
- lead guitars, vocals - Tom PeterssonTom PeterssonTom Petersson is an American musician, best known as the bassist and sometime guitarist for the rock band Cheap Trick.-Career:...
- bass, vocals - Bun E. CarlosBun E. CarlosBun E. Carlos, born Brad Carlson, June 12, 1951, is the primary drummer for American rock band Cheap Trick. He is the band's chief setlister and archivist, and maintains recordings of all the band's shows, some of which have been released under the name 'Bun E's Bootlegs'.Carlos is left-handed, but...
- drums
Additional personnel
- Tom WermanTom WermanTom Werman was an A&R man and record producer for Epic Records from 1970 into 1982. He has produced albums by acts including Mother's Finest, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, Molly Hatchet, Blue Öyster Cult, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Stryper, Kix, LA Guns, and Poison. While in A&R at Epic Records, he...
- producer - Antonino Reale - engineer
- George Marino - mastering
Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – USA | Gold | August 13, 1979 |
| RIAA – USA | Platinum | October 17, 2001 |
| CRIA - Canada | Platinum | June 1, 1979 |