The Cheap Trick - In Color - Steve Albini Sessions is a legendary unreleased recording from 1997–1998 where the band re-recorded their classic 1977 album, In Color, with producer Steve Albini. The project was born from the band's long-standing dissatisfaction with the original "polished" production by Tom Werman, which they felt lacked their raw live energy and sounded "safe for radio". Session Background
Conclusion
Tracks like "Baby Talk" and "Brontosaurus" were included as a bonus CD single with the 1997 self-titled album. Tracklist (Albini Version) The Cheap Trick - In Color - Steve
Label Disputes: Issues with record labels and management kept the finished product in legal limbo. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" -
Production and Sound Quality
Released in 1988, "In Color" was Cheap Trick's ninth studio album, marking a pivotal moment in the band's career. Following a period of commercial decline, the band sought to revisit their roots and rejuvenate their sound. The result was an album that blended the band's signature power pop with a more contemporary edge, featuring some of their most beloved tracks such as "If You Want My Love" and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." "In Color" achieved significant commercial success, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and earning a double platinum certification. The album not only revived Cheap Trick's fortunes but also underscored their ability to evolve while remaining true to their musical essence. Conclusion Tracks like "Baby Talk" and "Brontosaurus" were
Robin Zander’s Vocals: This is the shocker. Without double-tracking or plate reverb, Zander sounds uncomfortably close. You hear the saliva in his mouth. You hear the room. His falsetto on "I Want You to Want Me" is no longer a sweet serenade; it is a desperate, ragged plea in a small room. In FLAC, the sibilance is natural, not digitized.