Classic Albums I have never heard

Pet_Sounds · 03-08-2015, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Well I've heard some of the Cars' material, but not all their albums all the way through. I have everything from them but I've only really listened to Heartbeat City, Door to door and the poor and disappointing comeback album Move like this. I loved Ben Orr's solo album though, and did a feature a few years back on Rik Ocasek. Is the debut considered a classic? I'll think about it certainly.

My personal favourites are Candy-O and Heartbeat City, but the debut is an essential and classic New Wave album.

Unknown Soldier · 03-09-2015, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Well I've heard some of the Cars' material, but not all their albums all the way through. I have everything from them but I've only really listened to Heartbeat City, Door to door and the poor and disappointing comeback album Move like this. I loved Ben Orr's solo album though, and did a feature a few years back on Rik Ocasek. Is the debut considered a classic? I'll think about it certainly.

I'm shocked at you I thought you knew their whole discography. Their debut is considered "The American New-Wave classic" by a number of sources, something I completely agree with, the b-side of that album is simply timeless.

Trollheart · 03-27-2015, 07:59 PM

Title: The Cars
Artiste: The Cars
Year: 1978
Chronological position: Debut album
Previous experience of this artiste?: Heartbeat City, Door to door, Move like this plus the Greatest Hits compilation
Why is this considered a classic? Their greatest hits were on it, it introduced the world to the band and a new sound, and it sold over a million copies within a year.

My thoughts
One minute (or thereabouts in) ---- Good, great, bad, meh, still waiting or other? Great
One track in --- Great
Halfway through --- Great
Finished --- Great

Comments: Well even though Unknown Soldier wants to disown me and tar and feather me for not having heard this album, I have heard most of it through the compilations and singles, so tracks like “My best friend's girlfriend”, “Just what I needed” and Good times roll” are all well known and liked by me. Love the Queen-like chorus on the opener, possibly thanks to their producer having come from working with that band earlier. Funnily enough, they're described as a new-wave band; I would never have thought that. To me they were just an AOR or rock act. I guess the amount of synthesisers and effects contributed to that tag. Still, I wouldn't have put them in the same arena as Cabaret Voltaire, Flock of Seagulls or any of that lot.

I do however agree with the sleeve being very annoying; that woman couldn't close her stupid mouth? She looks like a cartoon, or as if she's totally high. Meh. I find the quality suddenly dipping though when “I'm in touch with your world” hits; it's just such a comedown after three powerful tracks. Maybe it was too much to expect that everything would be of the same calibre, but still, a bit disappointing that it dips so early. Perhaps it's just a blip. Well, “Dont'cha stop” sounds a bit like Martha and the Muffins' “Echo beach”, but it's a hell of a better song than the previous as it gets the tempo kicking again. As does “You're all I've got tonight”, really rocks along and again you can hear the Queen influence there but not so much that it seems like the Cars are ripping Freddie and Co. off.

“Bye bye love” is okay but I feel it's again lacking something, but “Moving in stereo” gets us back on track; kind of a dark, grindy feel to it with some cool effects. Probably the closest I would say they come to what I would think of as new wave. Closer then is another good rocker, kind of mid-paced and “All mixed up” takes us to the finish line. Interesting, and perhaps a brave decision, not to have a single ballad on the album. I know they made hits out of ballads later, so the fact that this album sold so well without one is quite impressive.

Favourite track(s): Good times roll, My best friend's girlfriend, Just what I needed, You're all I've got tonight, Moving in stereo, All mixed up
Least favourite track(s): I'm in touch with your world

Final impression --- I think the Cars were very lucky in that they had two ready-made, but entirely different, singers in Ben Orr and Ric Ocasek, Now there's only one of course, but back then you could get a great mix from the two of them swapping vocal duties. A great debut and it certainly pointed the way towards the bright lights that would eventually lead The Cars to their destination, Heartbeat City.

[i]Do I feel, at the end, A) I wish I had listened to this sooner
B) I'm sorry I bothered
C) I might end up liking this
D) Have to wait and see
E) Bit underwhelmed; was ok but a classic?
F) Definitely enjoyed it, but again would I consider it a classic?
G) Enjoyed this album just purely on its own merits
H) Glad I listened to it

That's a H I think and I rate it

Unknown Soldier · 03-28-2015, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Well even though Unknown Soldier wants to disown me and tar and feather me for not having heard this album.

As you quite like it I won't now.

Quote:

I have heard most of it through the compilations and singles, so tracks like “My best friend's girlfriend”

Obviously not enough as it was 'girl' and not 'girlfriend'.

Quote:

Funnily enough, they're described as a new-wave band; I would never have thought that. To me they were just an AOR or rock act. I guess the amount of synthesisers and effects contributed to that tag. Still, I wouldn't have put them in the same arena as Cabaret Voltaire, Flock of Seagulls or any of that lot.

Well its the perfect example of an American new wave record at that time along with the likes of Blondie, the Knack, Television and Devo. Some of those bands leaned more towards punk and other more to electronic music and the Cars I'd say were smack bang in the middle of those two styles. Now a Flock of Seagulls I'd put as a 'second wave new-wave' band as they came along later. But I can see the AOR appeal as it fits into with what an AOR fan would like to hear on an album.

Quote:

I do however agree with the sleeve being very annoying; that woman couldn't close her stupid mouth? She looks like a cartoon, or as if she's totally high. Meh.

The album cover is iconic Cars and the type of album cover that they wanted, it displays the playful fun of the band for this album, even though they were always a band of darker undertones.

Quote:

I find the quality suddenly dipping though when “I'm in touch with your world” hits; it's just such a comedown after three powerful tracks.

That's the weakest track on the album.

Btw I think the b-side of that album is stronger than the a-side.

Trollheart · 03-29-2015, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Obviously not enough as it was 'girl' and not 'girlfriend'.

[pedant]Now I know how people feel about me pointing out little errors! [/pedant]

Quote:

Well its the perfect example of an American new wave record at that time along with the likes of Blondie, the Knack, Television and Devo. Some of those bands leaned more towards punk and other more to electronic music and the Cars I'd say were smack bang in the middle of those two styles. Now a Flock of Seagulls I'd put as a 'second wave new-wave' band as they came along later. But I can see the AOR appeal as it fits into with what an AOR fan would like to hear on an album.

It was a surprise to me, as I always considered the cars AOr or even pop/rock. I guess I don't know enough about New Wave...

Quote:

The album cover is iconic Cars and the type of album cover that they wanted, it displays the playful fun of the band for this album, even though they were always a band of darker undertones.

Unlike many of The Cars' album covers, the cover for The Cars was designed by the record company, rather than drummer David Robinson.[2] The cover was not well liked by the members of the band, however.[2] Robinson said, "I thought that when the Elektra came out it was way too slick. The pictures of us I didn't like."[2] Guitarist Elliot Easton expressed dislike for "that big grinning face," saying, "Man, I got tired of that cover."

Powerstars · 03-29-2015, 08:50 AM

Ah, The Cars are another band I have to get into. They were apparently a huge influence on Weezer (one of my personal favorite bands) and in fact Ocasek produced three of their best albums.

I know most the singles and dig those, so would the debut be a good place to start?

Pet_Sounds · 03-29-2015, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerstars

Ah, The Cars are another band I have to get into. They were apparently a huge influence on Weezer (one of my personal favorite bands) and in fact Ocasek produced three of their best albums.

I know most the singles and dig those, so would the debut be a good place to start?

Definitely. Have you heard Weezer's cover of "You Might Think"?

Powerstars · 03-29-2015, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

Definitely. Have you heard Weezer's cover of "You Might Think"?

I've heard snippets, but not the full version as of yet. Love the original though.

Unknown Soldier · 03-29-2015, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

[pedant]
It was a surprise to me, as I always considered the cars AOr or even pop/rock. I guess I don't know enough about New Wave...

It's worth mentioning that the band hated having Roy Thomas Baker to produce the album, afterwards though they changed their opinion.

Quote:

=Powerstars;1570867

Unlike Trollheart start with their debut album.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

Definitely. Have you heard Weezer's cover of "You Might Think"?

It's ok but it lacks Ocasek's hiccup voice.

**Goofle** · 03-29-2015, 05:59 PM

Catherine Wheel - Chrome or Ferment?

Classic shoegaze/alternative rock albums. I think you would like both of them.

03-27-2015, 07:59 PM	#433 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Title: The Cars Artiste: The Cars Year: 1978 Chronological position: Debut album Previous experience of this artiste?: Heartbeat City, Door to door, Move like this plus the Greatest Hits compilation Why is this considered a classic? Their greatest hits were on it, it introduced the world to the band and a new sound, and it sold over a million copies within a year. My thoughts One minute (or thereabouts in) ---- Good, great, bad, meh, still waiting or other? Great One track in --- Great Halfway through --- Great Finished --- Great Comments: Well even though Unknown Soldier wants to disown me and tar and feather me for not having heard this album, I have heard most of it through the compilations and singles, so tracks like “My best friend's girlfriend”, “Just what I needed” and Good times roll” are all well known and liked by me. Love the Queen-like chorus on the opener, possibly thanks to their producer having come from working with that band earlier. Funnily enough, they're described as a new-wave band; I would never have thought that. To me they were just an AOR or rock act. I guess the amount of synthesisers and effects contributed to that tag. Still, I wouldn't have put them in the same arena as Cabaret Voltaire, Flock of Seagulls or any of that lot. I do however agree with the sleeve being very annoying; that woman couldn't close her stupid mouth? She looks like a cartoon, or as if she's totally high. Meh. I find the quality suddenly dipping though when “I'm in touch with your world” hits; it's just such a comedown after three powerful tracks. Maybe it was too much to expect that everything would be of the same calibre, but still, a bit disappointing that it dips so early. Perhaps it's just a blip. Well, “Dont'cha stop” sounds a bit like Martha and the Muffins' “Echo beach”, but it's a hell of a better song than the previous as it gets the tempo kicking again. As does “You're all I've got tonight”, really rocks along and again you can hear the Queen influence there but not so much that it seems like the Cars are ripping Freddie and Co. off. “Bye bye love” is okay but I feel it's again lacking something, but “Moving in stereo” gets us back on track; kind of a dark, grindy feel to it with some cool effects. Probably the closest I would say they come to what I would think of as new wave. Closer then is another good rocker, kind of mid-paced and “All mixed up” takes us to the finish line. Interesting, and perhaps a brave decision, not to have a single ballad on the album. I know they made hits out of ballads later, so the fact that this album sold so well without one is quite impressive. Favourite track(s): Good times roll, My best friend's girlfriend, Just what I needed, You're all I've got tonight, Moving in stereo, All mixed up Least favourite track(s): I'm in touch with your world Final impression --- I think the Cars were very lucky in that they had two ready-made, but entirely different, singers in Ben Orr and Ric Ocasek, Now there's only one of course, but back then you could get a great mix from the two of them swapping vocal duties. A great debut and it certainly pointed the way towards the bright lights that would eventually lead The Cars to their destination, Heartbeat City. [i]Do I feel, at the end, A) I wish I had listened to this sooner B) I'm sorry I bothered C) I might end up liking this D) Have to wait and see E) Bit underwhelmed; was ok but a classic? F) Definitely enjoyed it, but again would I consider it a classic? G) Enjoyed this album just purely on its own merits H) Glad I listened to it That's a H I think and I rate it __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

03-29-2015, 08:50 AM	#436 (permalink)
Powerstars Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 450	Ah, The Cars are another band I have to get into. They were apparently a huge influence on Weezer (one of my personal favorite bands) and in fact Ocasek produced three of their best albums. I know most the singles and dig those, so would the debut be a good place to start? __________________ Last.Fm My New Journal Favorite Album Of The Moment: They Might Be Giants - Glean