Disco de Cheap Trick: “Found All Parts/Busted [Bonus Tracks]”

I just received and listened to the new Wounded Bird reissue of "Busted," which comes inexplicably bundled with "Found All the Parts," released a decade prior and already available as a quartet of bonus tracks added to the recent reissue of "All Shook Up," which it originally preceded by less than a year. Go figure. This is the only one of the Wounded Bird reissues I could justify buying, as I already own the (very expensive) Japanese reissues of "Standing on the Edge" and "The Doctor," and because I only spent $1 on my old copy of "Busted," which I found in a clearance bin several years ago. Perhaps because I paid so little for it, and had such low expectations going in, I confess to a deep fondness for this otherwise forgotten record. And I'm pleased to report that the Wounded Bird reissue marks a definite improvement. The basic sound is noticeably louder, for one thing, but not overly compressed. In fact, I've compared the wav forms, and the new versions are identical in shape, but fatter and fuller. And the overall mix is definitely better. Whereas the original version has a glossy finish over a muddy mix full of 80s synthesizer mush, the new version is sharper and clearer. The drums hit with more force and punch, the guitars are more abrasive, and, best of all, the bass is clear and fluid. The "Found All The Parts" tracks are a tad louder than the Japanese reissue of same, while the included version of "Everything Works If You Let It"--an outtake from "All Shook Up" originally included as a bonus single to "Found All The Parts"-- is the unedited version, with the acoustic opening. So I'm happy enough with my risky buy. I'm glad I own this one.

Found All the Parts was released in the

summer on 1980 when I gratuaded from high

school. It was originally an Epic Nu Disk

(10") instead of 12", with a single copy

of Roadie's 'Everthing Works if you Let It',

included. Now teamed with 1990's disappoin-

ting 'Busted', a watered down version of

Richie Zito's Lack, er, ah, Lap of Luxury

(***). I would give the five-cut 'Found All

the Parts, though with four good songs, **.5

stars. Busted I would give **. What is 'wound-

ed bird'? or 'big bang'?! Sorry, bad mix here

guys, though not Rick, Bun E, Rob or Tom's

fault here...