November 3, 2000
AUTHORIZED GREATEST HITS
By DARRYL STERDAN

AUTHORIZED GREATEST HITS
Cheap Trick
(Epic / Sony)

Authorized, shmauthorized. All Cheap Trick hits sets -- and this is the sixth or so we've seen -- are pretty much created equal. You get all their wimpier, poppier material (I Want You to Want Me, Tonight It's You, Can't Stop Falling in Love) and none of their heavier, way cooler stuff (He's a Whore, Ballad of T.V. Violence, ELO Kiddies). Authorized Greatest Hits (supposedly the band had a hand in this one) doesn't stray much from this formula, although it does have the single version of Southern Girls and the TV theme That 70's Song. On the other hand, it also has a live version of The Flame and some truly cheap packaging (there isn't even a picture of the band). Any of their first three studio albums (or the complete Budokan Concert) is a better purchase.

Track Listing 1. I Want You To Want Me
  2. Ain't That A Shame
  3. Southern Girls
  4. Surrender
  5. Stop This Game
  6. Dream Police
  7. If You Want My Love - (alternate version)
  8. Tonight It's You
  9. Everything Works If You Let It - (full length version)
  10. Mandocello
  11. I Can't Take It - (live)
  12. She's Tight
  13. That 70's Song (In The Street)
  14. Walk Away - (featuring Chrissie Hynde)
  15. Can't Stop Falling Into Love
  16. Flame, The - (previously unreleased, live)