Plagued by notoriously controlling record companies (see: the 80′s/early 90′s) and labels going belly up just weeks after a release (see: their highly under appreciated return to form from 1997) it’s no wonder Cheap Trick have taken matters into their own hands and are self-releasing their latest called, well, The Latest on June 23.

Apparently the band is in no rush to get their new album out there. Amazon.com has exclusive rights for the first month with fans given the opportunity to pre-order via Cheap Trick’s site. After that the album will be available on vinyl and 8-track. Yes, 8-track.

Given their recent track record – the a fore mentioned Cheap Trick ’97, the surprisingly eclectic and dense pop of 2003′s Special One, and the straight forward power of 2006′s Rockford – there is no reason to believe that The Latest will be anything but good ol’ Cheap Trick doing what Cheap Trick does best.

Speaking of what Cheap Trick does, you can catch them opening up for washed up wannabes Def Leppard and Poison on July 17th at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater, or better yet, hope that they headline some shows in their home town later this year.