In Color (album)

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 Cheap Trick at Budokan ("Hello There", "Big Eyes", "I Want You to Want Me", "Clock Strikes Ten" and "Come On, Come On").

In Color's 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 mopeds with the words "And In Black and White." across the top.

The In Color radio show which airs on Ireland's national broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann RTÉ 2XM is named after the album.

Re-recorded version

In Color was re-recorded by the band in 1998 with producer Steve Albini. 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 as a playable song in the video game Rock Band 2, raising suspicions that the album may have been finished.

"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".

Track listing

All songs written by Rick Nielsen, except where noted.

Side One

1. "Hello There" – 1:41
2. "Big Eyes" – 3:10
3. "Downed" – 4:12
4. "I Want You to Want Me" – 3:11
5. "You're All Talk" (Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson) – 3:36

Side Two

1. "Oh Caroline" – 2:59
2. "Clock Strikes Ten" – 2:59
3. "Southern Girls" (Nielsen, Petersson) – 3:44
4. "Come On, Come On" – 2:41
5. "So Good to See You" – 3:37

Bonus tracks (1998 Reissue)

The 1998 reissue of In Color featured five bonus tracks, including "Oh Boy," the b-side to "I Want You to Want Me," and "Goodnight," the live, show-closing variation on "Hello There."

11. "Oh Boy" [Instrumental Version] – 3:09
12. "Southern Girls" [1975 Demo] – 3:03
13. "Come On, Come On" [1975 Demo] – 2:04
14. "You're All Talk" [Live at Whisky a Go Go, 1977] – 3:41
15. "Goodnight" [Live at Whisky a Go Go, 1977] – 2:19

Unreleased Outtakes

Singles (Side A/Side B)

Personnel

Additional personnel