Cheap Trick: Robin Zander (vocals, guitar); Rick Nielsen (guitar); Tom Petersson (bass); Bun E. Carlos (drums).

Additional personnel: Chrissie Hynde, Billy Corgan.

Recorded between 1977 & 1996. Includes liner notes by Ron Albanese.

Japanese import edition includes two exclusive bonus covers: "Magical Mystery Tour" and "Don't Be Cruel."

Although multiple Cheap Trick collections have been released, the two-disc ESSENTIAL is an excellent compilation for those wanting more than just a cursory overview of the Illinois quartet's work. The band's masterful combination of harmonies, hooks, and crunchy guitar riffs has influenced a legion of younger artists--including Guns N' Roses, Material Issue, and the Smashing Pumpkins--and this hard-rocking mix is on full display throughout the album. The amazingly catchy radio hits--"Surrender," "Dream Police," and "I Want You to Want Me"--are all here, along with lesser-known tracks such as the Beach Boys-flavored "Southern Girls" and a rollicking reading of the Move's "California Man." ESSENTIAL also presents a live version of the melancholy "Mandocello" (with special guest Billy Corgan) and other concert performances, proving that Cheap Trick are a formidable power-pop band both on the stage and in the studio.

Rolling Stone (4/1/04, p.92) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[With] the grand gestures of arena rock, decent hooks and explosions of Dionysian ecstasy that left audiences happy..."

Uncut (p.120) - 4 stars out of 5 - "Thrilling, audacious and bang on the money."