Epic Archive Vol.1 1975-1979

If a groups made up of two genuine rock star types, a Huntz Hall lookalike with a guitar fetish, and a guy who looks like an accountant, which one dya think would keep track of its recording archive? Dont worry, its not a trick questionit is indeed the bespectacled Bun E. Carlos, the drummer for the original line-up of Cheap Trick, who has not only commented on every song (as told to Ken Sharp) but provided much of the source material for this collection of rarities from the bands early days, 18 tracks that reconfirm that the singular blend of classic rock, power pop, and glamand inspired visual stylewielded by this outfit of Rockford, Illinois places them among the first rank of American rock n roll bands. First up are three 1975 demos (of Come On, Come On, Southern Girls, and Taxman, Mr. Thief) they cut at Ardent Studios in 1975 prior to signing a record deal, followed by early, 1976-1977 studio takes (produced by Jack Douglas) of Youre All Talk and I Want You to Want Me, an outtake, Lookout, from their debut record, and an alternate (and nasty) version of I Dig Go-Go Girls. On deck are an instrumental version of Oh Boy (the B-side to I Want You to Want Me) and live versions of Youre All Talk and Goodnight from a 1977 stand at the Whisky, and a pair of alternate takes from the Heaven Tonight album, Stiff Competition and Surrender. Also inside are five rarities from the bands famed Japanese tours, including the single version of Aint That a Shame, the promo-only release Lookout, and three tracks from the out-of-print Budokan II album, Stiff Competition, How Are You, and On Top of the World. The no strings version of Dream Police rounds out the collection in fine style. Compiled by producer Tim Smith, remastered by Vic Anesini at Battery Studios in New York, and featuring photos by Robert Alford, The Epic Archive Vol. 1 (1975-1979)takes its place as a key release in the august Cheap Trick discography.