The Cars Are Back!!!
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Oh Ben, Phoebe Cates wouldn't be the same without you.
It's funny to read some of the stories on the reunion calling them things like a "synth band." Sure they had syntesizers, but Easton was always prominent and known as a hotshot guitar player. It's not like they were the Human League or something.
--Justin
I don't think there's much question that they changed from a rock band to a pop band. I suppose given the huge success of Heartbeat City, it's hard to argue it was a mistake (at least from a commercial point of view).
Still, don't most Cars fans reach for the first two albums long before popping in Shake it Up?
One thing I believe is that a lot of their albums had hidden gems on them that saw little or no radio play. Songs that were stronger than some of their singles. Down Boys from Panorama for example, or Ta Ta Wayo Wayo from Door to Door.
Since You're Gone is, in my mind, a Cars classic. It did get some airtime, but I don't know how many people remember it. Really good stuff, IMHO.
Regardless it's great to see them back together, and I can't wait for the show. It should be a lot of fun.
Still, don't most Cars fans reach for the first two albums long before popping in Shake it Up?
One thing I believe is that a lot of their albums had hidden gems on them that saw little or no radio play. Songs that were stronger than some of their singles. Down Boys from Panorama for example, or Ta Ta Wayo Wayo from Door to Door.
Since You're Gone is, in my mind, a Cars classic. It did get some airtime, but I don't know how many people remember it. Really good stuff, IMHO.
Regardless it's great to see them back together, and I can't wait for the show. It should be a lot of fun.
Aside from Drive (and realize I really haven't listened to the Cars in a long time) Ben's vocals tend to sound a lot like Ric's.
So, I'm not sure it would be a bad thing for the current lineup to do any and all songs live.
Is Ric capable of doing a "softer" vocal, ala Ben?
So, I'm not sure it would be a bad thing for the current lineup to do any and all songs live.
Is Ric capable of doing a "softer" vocal, ala Ben?
Yeah, it's not as big a difference as, say, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie or Levon Helm and Richard Manuel, but to me it was always clear whose vocal it was.
I guess upon consideration I agree. Ben's gone, nothing can be done about that, so his songs might as well go on. I'm sure they will acknowledge him some way in the shows.
--Justin
Certainly Ben is able to do a softer vocal, ala Stay The Night, which I downloaded last week and have listened to about a hundred times since.
But from memory, Drive was the only big Cars song he went that route on. I'm probably wrong.
A shame they never considered a reunion while Ben was still with us.
All this talk is making want to re-buy those albums. Too bad Heartbeat City hasn't gotten a remaster. Practically the biggest album of 1984.
But from memory, Drive was the only big Cars song he went that route on. I'm probably wrong.
A shame they never considered a reunion while Ben was still with us.
All this talk is making want to re-buy those albums. Too bad Heartbeat City hasn't gotten a remaster. Practically the biggest album of 1984.
You might want to check out The Cars: Unlocked.
It's a great compilation of interviews, concert footage, and film of them on the road.
There's an extended interview of the whole band, including Ben (who is obviously very ill). It's about 45 minutes of them all together, talking about the good old days.
It's a great compilation of interviews, concert footage, and film of them on the road.
There's an extended interview of the whole band, including Ben (who is obviously very ill). It's about 45 minutes of them all together, talking about the good old days.
I got my tickets for the show in Oakland today. I'm really looking forward to it.
And apparently, they will do some of Ben's songs....
From the Rolling Stone interview:
"It might be fun to do a couple of shows," Ocasek says. And he's ready to do his best when it's time to sing "Drive." "People would just say, 'He doesn't sing it as good as Ben, but what the fuck — he's the guy who wrote it.'"
And apparently, they will do some of Ben's songs....
From the Rolling Stone interview:
"It might be fun to do a couple of shows," Ocasek says. And he's ready to do his best when it's time to sing "Drive." "People would just say, 'He doesn't sing it as good as Ben, but what the fuck — he's the guy who wrote it.'"
It's funny, I grew up in the 80's and only recently came to realize that Ric hadn't always been the singer.
Nowhere Man
Commodore
I read about this in last month's RS. Magazine. Very cool song, with great lyrics. I wasen't fan at all growing up, i'm not a huge fan now, but now I'm in my 30's and really dig thier music and appreciate thier contribution to Rock N' Roll. Good to hear some old school guys still stickin to thier guns. I might actually go out and buy an album for the first time in years. It's stuff like this I yearn for. Good to see a real music video too, MTV 80s/90s style. Good to see that some people still get it.
It was my experience "in the day" that girls seemed to be more aware of Ben than guys. Not sure why...
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7vD3m32Yts&feature=related[/yt]
I've always been a fan of The Cars. Since Your Gone was playing on Mtv all the time when I was a kid, that is the song that most makes me think of them. I've bought every released album/CD plus all their solo albums (except for Ric's last two) and I've converted them to MP3s. My best friend has my copy of Greg Hawke's "Niagra Falls" LP that I wish I could get a hold of and convert to MP3. Their new album is preordered on Amazon. Sadly, I'm too poor now days to go to their concert when they come to town.
Hmmm, that's a head-scratcher.
It's weird, I know all those songs as Cars songs but yet apparently I only caught the Ric Ocasek videos or something, disconcerting to find out I was wrong for so long.
Since You're Gone is awesome.
And....I have Niagara Falls on vinyl as well.
Too bad you won't be able to go. Tickets are actually pretty cheap. I paid $48.50 for mine.
Just a little bump to remind everyone the new album is now out, and the tour started last night. Move Like This....really sounds like they never left. Juicy pop/rock goodness.
Rolling Stone has an exclusive streaming site so you can listen to the whole thing:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-listen-the-cars-first-album-in-24-years-20110503
Also, the band has a new website with videos and interviews, etc.
http://www.thecars.org/
My wife and I are going to see them Friday night. I can't wait.
Rolling Stone has an exclusive streaming site so you can listen to the whole thing:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-listen-the-cars-first-album-in-24-years-20110503
Also, the band has a new website with videos and interviews, etc.
http://www.thecars.org/
My wife and I are going to see them Friday night. I can't wait.
Cool. For some reason I thought it was next Tuesday.
I wonder what album is coming out next Tuesday.
Anywho, I'll get this one tonight.
I wonder what album is coming out next Tuesday.
Anywho, I'll get this one tonight.
I got it from iTunes yesterday.
There are a couple of slow songs that kind of miss the mark, but overall it's very satisfying for an old Cars fan like me.
So far, Keep on Knocking stands out as a favorite. Very rocking tune.
Very few albums have every song hit the mark.
It's gonna take a really bitchin' track to be better than Sad Song for me, but I'll find out in a few hours. I'll probably rip the CD on my work computer.