"If there's a band that defines what '80s pop means, that is surely The Cars. From their beginnings, with a sleek, perfect fusion of hard rock and new wave 'til their sublime synth-pop numbers of their later years, they set the way American bands would make pop music, all through this particularly cold and shallow decade. Sometimes joyful, sometimes painful, but always with a sincerity and a sense of irony that would define their romantic approach; any hits compilation from this band was a trip to the soundtrack of all those kids from the time that suffered because of the lack of a true relationship. Both Ric Ocasek and Ben Orr were excellent vocal performers that delivered their message with ease. Ric's clever lyrics were enhanced with the lyrical, atmospheric keyboard lines of Greg Hawkes and the excellent guitar work of the hugely underrated Elliot Easton, whose emotive solos and mechanical chords were the perfect companion to Orr and Robinson's sudden stomping rhythm changes. Neither as cerebral as Talking Heads nor as unique as Devo, The Cars were the definitive and most influential American new wave band. The one and only that could put a smile on your face at any moment."- sergegrone
ALL-TIME TOP FIVE: 1) Just What I Needed (from The Cars)
2) Moving In Stereo (from The Cars)
3) Let's Go (from Candy-O)
4) My Best Friend's Girl (from The Cars)
5) All Mixed Up (from The Cars)
"When The Cars came out of Boston in 1978, they did so with a bang, releasing their classic self-titled debut album, which was a perfect combination of new wave, pop/rock and AOR, which set them up for success in the '80s, a decade in which these genres dominated the airwaves. This allowed the band to score major mainstream success with hit albums and a slew of Top 40 hits and managed to gain a fanbase that covered the bases of fans of acts from Journey to U2 to Blondie to Motley Crue and everything in between. A band that could write great hooks, awesome lyrics and plenty of fun songs - and it didn't matter if it was Ric Ocasek or Benjamin Orr who was singing, the songs sounded great either way."- hraorfan
"From 1978 to 1984, The Cars were simply the best so-called new wave act going. Any party from this era always seemed to have some Cars playing in the background. They were one of the few bands popular with both the punk and album-rock crowds. Their sound is uniquely their own, but you can hear some Modern Lovers (where drummer David Robinson came from), Bowie, Iggy, Devo, Velvets and even Beatles in the mix. Consistently-produced pop music from the era."- longplayer1966
"Instant party. I remember sockhops - remember them? No? Well, basically I was just a little shy twerp who secretly lusted over the popular girls who wore feathered hair and liked skateboarders. To ever have a chance to meet them one had to subject oneself to the mindnumbing dances, full of way too much disco music. The guys would all hang out and talk about AC/DC, while the girls would stand on the other side checking out the dudes. Stuck uncomfortably in no-man's land, my greatest school memory was asking one of the 'cool' girls to dance when "Let's Go" by The Cars began. I don't know what possessed me, or her (she agreed?!), but it was the greatest feeling ever to move, albeit hideously, to that rocker with her, not a care on our minds and wide smiles on both our faces, momentarily transporting me out of the blahs and into sweet bliss."- elayblooze
rym
