The Bastards (album)
The Bastards is the tenth studio album by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in April 1980. The album represented a deliberate attempt by the band to return to a harder, more raw sound after the perceived overproduction of their previous album, Dream Police. It was produced by Cheap Trick and Ian Taylor.
Unlike its predecessors, The Bastards did not yield any major hit singles in the United States. Despite not achieving significant commercial success upon its initial release, the album has garnered a cult following over the years, appreciated for its more aggressive and experimental sound. Its tracks are considered by some to be among the band's most underrated work. The album's title and cover art reflect its darker and more rebellious tone compared to Cheap Trick's earlier, more commercially oriented releases.