The Cars

Some bangers, though kind of vapid

It sounds kinda modern. Pretty nice

If you had asked me to name a song by The Cars before listening to this I would have said Drive, for the obvious reason. And it's because of that track that I have never paid them any attention, because it's really not that good. I can now say that I have been missing out. Yes I do know My Best Friends Girl, and You're Just What I needed, but it had never clicked that they were by this lot. And this is rather a good album. From the first track I thought not bad, sounds familiar. By the second I knew why. And the other stand out track was Moving in Stereo. Yeah, it's a good album, not at all like Drive (thank god). Got to be worth a high 3.

Lone of the better starts to an album that we’ve had on the list so far. Being so front-loaded on a short album takes away from the experience a little bit. The back half isn’t bad, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the beginning. Will come back to this one for the hits and that’s probably it.

I remember when it first came out thinking it was so cool. Now it is so overplayed on FM radio I can’t stand to hear it.

I think I recognised one song. Not bad but very 80’s

Really liked this one! Not familiar with these Bostonians, so nice meeting!

Ne može se reći da je išta loše, jednostavno meni nije leglo.

Enjoyable listen but nothing stuck out for me, nothing bad about it, just not my taste. 6/10.

Another classic 70/80’s album

Goed, maar niet zo speciaal gewoon goed

i know this is all revisionist history but it's fun to hear late 70s music start to sound like 80s music

A mostly fun power pop record.

A couple of good songs. Pretty good, comfy listening

Wish I could give this a 3.5

Fairly enjoyable listen! Definitely prefer the more rock focused songs over the synths. Fav: my best friend’s girl, just what i needed, you’re all i’ve got tonight, bye bye love Least: I’m in touch with your world rating: 3.8

Like Hit Me One More Time..., The Cars is crowded with a number of huge radio hits that cut through and against each other. However, they aren't victims of the loudness wars, they're written and recorded for FM radio. Not as trebly as transistor radio hits, not as bombastic as the late-90s brick wall sound, The Cars has sonic depth and clarity that plays as well on a car stereo, in the roller disco, or at home on your turntable. And while each song is a sort of single, composed and arranged only to complete its own journey from studio to consumer, they are not so strongly in competition with each other as on the Spears' record. It sounds like a gang of hitmakers, doing what they can with a rigid set-up, just what they can fit on the stage at the tiny Boston club. So all the songs sound of a piece, but also like they're trying distinguish themselves from each other. And it is this sense of a gang working together, but with each edging toward the spotlight, that excuses some of the clumsiness (mostly Elliot Easton's meandering guitar) and uncools some of the sheen (does I'm in Touch sound like a very careful Magic Band?). If there is a competition here, it's between Ocasek and Orr. On aggregate, Orr wins with his four contributions - great stuff. 3.5 All very catchy, very cute songs full of funny keyboard noises and arch vocals. But somehow entirely unlovable. Rock music with no edge, pop music with no drama. Well done The Cars. 2/5

Amazing album! Almost feels like a greatest hits album. There are so many chart toppers on this one. The one thing that I didn’t care for is that the songs that weren’t hits aren’t that great.

It's alright, but it doesn't feel essential. Reminds me of Roxy Music at times. Favorite song: just what I needed.

I'd never listened to a whole Cars album before but knew the big singles — 3 of which are on this album. This was a decent listen. Overall the songs are catchy, but they tend to get repetitive (Let the Good Times Roll especially). I liked a few of the deeper cuts more than the singles, but nothing really stood out. There is some experimentation with sound — I forgot how country My Best Friend's Girl was — but it's fairly standard 80s pop-rock. Some of the songs sound like a combination of Queen and Talking Heads, which was kind of interesting. It's a competent album, but not groundbreaking for me personally. 3/5

Some occasional great, more new-wave focussed, songs. However, overall too much glam/soft-rock 80s vibes for me

First side sounds like a rocky version of Talking heads Second side sound more rock Bye bye Love is my favorite of the album

Had heard the hits, which I was fine with. Other songs didn't really change my opinion much. Liked the Blondie record that came up early better FWIW

First song set the tone for the whole album and was riding a good vibe wave. Will definitely listen to it again.

Good.

It was a pretty good album which fused like electro pop rock elements and I can say I enjoyed all of the songs of the album however only 4/9 ended up on my playlist which is still a pretty good number since I don't usually listen to this type of music

Middle of the road rock, which suites quite nicely to the background while doing office work. There were also some echoes of Talking heads, which is never a bad thing...

good fun! I enjoyed this album for the most part. Last few songs drop off a bit but it's an enjoyable listen. Classic late 70's

More of a crowd pleaser than a masterpiece. It’s not necessarily mediocre but it’s not an album I’m looking forward to playing again Just What I Needed Moving in Stereo You’re All I’ve Got Tonight All Mixed Up Bye Bye Love My Best Friend’s Girl Good Times Roll Don’t cha stop I’m in touch with your world

pretty good, a jolly old time

A fun and well-made pop album. I recognize this is quality but I can’t say I’m super into it myself. Best song: You Might Think

It's alright

No esta nada mael disco Los coches del grupo Los coches

overrated

A couple of good songs, but it gets very monotonous after a while.

The singles were great! Love the guitar work on this - really interesting and probably innovative for the time, and really helps this to stand out from the other synth-rock of the era. The rest of the album was kind of underwhelming to me songwriting-wise though.

Never listened to The Cars before. It was pretty short but solid album with a few good songs. I liked Good Times Roll, Just What I Needed and Moving In Stereo. Probably not something I'd revisit often but not bad. 5.5/10

Often touted as the ultimate American new wave/pop crossover, in reality The Cars are much more pop and less new wave than, for example, the CBGBs bands like Blondie or Talking Heads who hit it big about the same time. In reality they’re straight ahead rockers and any connection with new wave is oblique at best. It sounds a bit overproduced in retrospect and the occasional weak tracks really are weak. What they are very good at is knocking out bona fide hits. Best Friend’s Girl in particular is a top notch bit of chart-ready songwriting.

I enjoyed it. Not sure I’d go back to it, but very listenable!

Most of the songs are kind of annoying but the last two songs are good

One song does not make an album and the rest is fairly meh.

Fine, held up by a couple big hits

I listened to this album on a channel called Classic Rock. The top comment is from a guy who talks about the custom hi-fi setup in his 1965 Pontiac GTO. “Cars were blaring along with meatloaf, Styx, Edgar Winter Group, Warren Zevon, Kansas…” and so forth. So that pretty well grounds this recording in time, place and cultural zeitgeist. Like a lot of music of its ilk, I feel no need to revisit some of these megahits, which are probably playing right now on your local Boomer FM album-oriented rock stations. But past the first few tracks, I hear a tension within the band between the vaguely retro bubblegum pop hits of “Good Times Roll” and “My Best Friend’s Girlfriend” that made this band famous and more adventurous fare like “Moving in Stereo” and “Don’t Cha Stop.” Suspecting there may have been multiple songwriters, I checked, and they’re all credited to Ric Ocasek. Which I supposed figures: In addition to marrying Paulina Porizkova, he went on to become a sought-after producer, with credits on albums from the likes of Bad Brains, Weezer and Guided by Voices.

I only knew the first three songs, frim the radio I suppose. The rest were forgettable.

De jaren 80 komen er aan

1- 2/5 low-key wanna skip 😞(i did soz) 2- 2.5/5 like 😈 but also idk 3- 4/5 already heart this song😈🙏( i know it’s popular🙄) 4- 3.5/5 i fw this (?) yea i do 😈 5-3/5 😈🤨😏 6- 3.5/5 i can c me fw this 😈🙏🤭😏 7- 4/5 this goes harddd 😈🙏‼️ 8- 4/5 listened 2 this alot b4😞 it just goes so hard tho😈🫃 9- 3.5/5 idkkkkk ngl wait kinda real tho 😈

Pretty good, light weight

Lots of people are praising this album as a 5/5 but I just don't see it. I have a feeling nostalgia is fuelling some of those ratings. There's not really wrong with the album, I just think there's better albums out there.

Love the sound, like the tunes. Good vibes, just would have liked more bangers. No bad songs, but no songs better than Just What I Needed.

Good album. I had heard a few of the songs before and they are great. Good stuff

Best Weezer album

It's a good album. Hell, I guess it's a great album, but it just feels a little generic to me, even if they might have contributed to the invention of this generic sound. Still, it deserves its place here.

There are great moments in this album, especially the 2 last songs when the band becomes more uplifting. Enjoyable new wave, but I can't say I would come back to it very often.

Decent album. 3 stars

I think I definitely wasn’t in the mood for this album.

Just fine, nothing really stuck with me.

Neat to see Ric Ocasek while he was still playing (I know him for producing Weezer's blue album). It's a solid enough album but none of the songs really stuck out to me. Cool this is on the list but also would've liked to see a Weezer album.

Kul! Bra! Inga riktiga bangers kanske men ändå riktigt bra. Var lite förvånad över att det kom ut -78, känns nyare. Någonstans mellan 3-4 för mig men jag ger det 3 av 5 idag.

An ok album with one two good and recognisable songs, but nothing that exciting.

Neither bad not good

One of the best album of music history!

Dat derde album van Big Star kun je eigenlijk niet echt meer omschrijven als Power Pop, als je iets daarna dit hoort. Het is zoet, het is catchy, en het heeft een lekker tempo. De eerste drie nummers vooral, daarna zakt het wel wat in. Ergens vind ik het heel goed in elkaar steken, maar aan de andere kant kan ik veel songs niet écht serieus nemen. Enfin, ik heb grotendeel van de nummers mee geneuried, dus een ruime voldoende is wel op z'n plaats. 7/10 Highlights: Just What I Needed Bye Bye Love All Mixed Up

Album vol met veels te aangedikte 80-s tracks. Maar gelukkig waren de echte guilty 80's nog niet aangebroken in 1978, anders was deze plaat echt helemaal uit de bocht gevlogen. De zoete catchy powerpop wordt nu af en toe aangevuld met een rock n roll solo. Toch nog een nawee uit de 70's. Het is pop en het is zoet, en toch ben ik blij dat de synths en echte guilty hooks hier ontbreken. Dat maakt deze plaat wel behapbaar. 7/10 Just what I Needed You're All I've Got Tonight

I liked it. Out of the records in the same era this has a bit of a different vibe to it.

3/5

Oh, very fun! I know at least a few of these songs already, but could not have told you they come from The Cars. Nice work, y'all 👏👏👏

Totally listenable if maybe a little average. I like that this isn't needlessly 1 hour and 10 minutes with like 3 seven minute tracks as they albums often are.

This feels like a bit of an inflection point for the punkier rock elements of the '70s starting to give way to more of the '80s synth pop. This has a bit of a nice mix of the two in a way that sounds pretty fresh compared to a lot of the other stuff I've gotten on here (though still dated now of course). I generally don't really love the '80s pop stuff, but I think I like the songs that lean into it a bit more on here, the others can be a bit generic sounding. This also gets out to a hot start, the first three songs on here are all hits. It falls of a bit after that, but the vibes are generally solid. This feels like a 3.5 to me. It's not my favorite thing in the world, but the vibe is good and there's a few hits. I think it's going to be a round down situation, but it's close. Favorite song: Just What I Needed Other: Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, Don't Cha Stop, Bye Bye Love, All Mixed Up 2/4/25

fun album, pretty basic rock but still enjoyable listen.

Fine

Some good tracks but not my favourite.

Nothing wrong with this album, but I found most of the tracks to be a bit bland and boring. I like their hit, Drive, but the sound of that track is world's apart from the fare on this, The Car's debut album.

Holy smokes this album kicks off with a bang! The first three songs are certified HITS. Unfortunately, the rest of the album struggles to live up to their standard. They never really find their footing again as they lean heavily on their synths and even try their hand at some Bowie-esque tunes.

Very fun. Was grooving to this while cooking. Starts stronger than it finishes

I played this in the lab and it fit right in. Gets the energy pumping, hips shaking. I enjoyed it. I'll probably play a couple of the earlier tracks at social events, or when I need something that gives me the confidence of a rockstar and gets me strutting down the street.

Stronger beginning than end! But still v fun.

Quite surprised by this. Was expecting 80s pop ballards but it was a bit more rocky than I expected. There’s at least 3 songs that sounded at times like that Fountains of Wayne song. I wouldnt say I got much from it and probably wont be back, but a decent pop rock album

First few of songs were a bit drab, thought it was some sort of classic pop rock thing. It then became a bit better but still middle of the road. I'm sure it had some more new wavey art rock elements but I had a quick listen to some of the tracks again and it's very classic rock. Fine without being noteworthy, 2.5.

Just What I Needed is decent, and I also liked Moving in Stereo. A bit inoffensive, 2.5.

Again, knew "just what I needed" from this, but wouldn't have been able to name the band. Did think it was good, maybe slightly too on the fluffier side for my liking. 3

Fun stuff

По мнению А: 3/5 По мнению С: 4/5 ИТОГОВАЯ ОЦЕНКА: 3/5 (23.01.2025)

271/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

Pretty cool

I like "Just What I Needed". The rest of the album is okay, in that if I never heard it again I would be okay. "Best Friend's Girl" isn't bad either. 3/5.

They really frontloaded this thing, huh? An onslaught of jams at the beginning and then a bunch of duds after that. I appreciate how weird some of the lyrical choices are ("I NEEDED SOMEONE TO FEEEEEEEEEED") and weirdly The Cars greatest hits was one of like 3 non-Beatles albums my parents had in the car growing up, so I fancied myself a real Cars guy. But as an album this doesn't really hold my attention. I'll stick with the greatest hits (especially since it has YOU MIGHT THINK on it)

I wore this tape out in high school working out in my basement. It's so singable. The three track run at the beginning is unbeatable. This is peak new wave. Which may not be everyone's cup of tea. I love the synths, the hand claps, the at times country sounding guitar, and the unique sound of Ocasek's voice. Of all the skippable songs played on classic rock radio, I'm never turning off Thee Cars.

Really three and-a-half stars. (Why can’t I give half stars? I’m oppressed.) But five stars for Just What I Needed, an undeniable pop banger.

This one blew me away. A lot more to it than I expected from occasionally hearing the Cars on the radio. It’s pop, but a little dark and a little artsy, and it hits hard. It doesn’t sound like a first album at all. Seems like they had already figured out exactly the sound they wanted and executed on that vision. Great record throughout. “You’re all I’ve got tonight” is a favorite, and “moving in stereo” was a surprise treat for me. However, I did lose my boner during “I’m in touch with your world”

Power pop at its most average! The singles were still familiar and perfectly listenable but it didn’t particularly do much. Reliable, easy, inoffensive, average! 1978’s Ford Cortina!

Lots of straight-ahead rock. Not very much my thing, but they executed the songs really well. Some repetitiveness, but overall, a mediocre experience.

OK

Kinda boring, ok, but in no way exceptional.

I couldn't focus on this album idk why..but it seems to be very pleasant to lesson to when you're on the way somewhere with friends

bellino, ma senza esagerare

Every time The Cars come on my dad repeats a story about how when he saw them they were the most boring act he'd ever seen and they got shown up by Wang Chung or the Fixx or someone. Anywho, my thoughts are that Ric Ocasek just really likes repeating the same thing over and over again. 3 stars only because Living on Stereo is a masterpiece.

Прикольна, но не моё, для дороги путешествия клас лайк

I initially thought it was unremarkable and boring and unmemorable, BUT I think the album improved a LOT in the second half (You’re all I’ve got tonight and onward). Kind of liked You’re all I’ve got tonight - sounds a bit like Queen and some fun harmonies. I really liked All Mixed Up. Listened then for a second time and I liked the album a lot better! It’s fun! They do remind me of Queen quite a bit with some of the harmonies. Just what I needed - love the “ribbons in your hair” part and also some interludes have this video game-like music which is really cool.

'Just What I needed' is still the most notable. I enjoyed the first few as well.

I was shocked to find out this went 6x platinum as I'd never heard anything from it (except snippets of JWIN). They kind of remind me of The 1975, fairly inoffensive radio synth pop that's actually better than a lot of people give it credit for but is nothing truly mindblowing. I was going to give this a 3/5, but based on the fact that Just What I Needed WHIPS it's getting a 4/5. I'd definitely listen again, an over all enjoyable experience that's probably closer to a 3 than a 5. Call it a 3.75. Favourite Tracks: Just What I Needed, All Mixed Up Least Fav Track: My Best Friend's Girl

I personally don't like that "clean" type of rock music. Feels like it's missing the point there. Too sleek, to boring.

I feel like I used to rly like the cars, but aside from a couple songs I rly liked this didn’t do alllll too much for me

Well, another band from the 70s that I have never heard of and will forget about very soon. 1000 albums out of 70 years history of recording music on physical media is really a lot. So I'm not exactly surprised that there is so many random and average bands in here. This is just one of them.

Mid

It’s ok, not new to me. A bit too Rockabilly for my taste but a reminder of when mainstream pop that I didn’t like was still musical.

Está bueno, solo que no está increíble, es rock genérico en mi opinión, pero suena bien

Muy interesante escuchar todo el album, yo solo conocía los grandes hits del grupo. Voy a escuchar toda la discografía porque creo que me va a gustar de mas en mas

Classic bangers. Can’t help but think about how fun it would be to see the band live when this album was released

2 hits and the rest all sound the same to me.

При прослушивании почувствовала себя героиней старого Линчевского фильма. Знаете, после учёбы прийти домой, завязать высокий хвост, взять банку колы и сбежать к своему бойфренду байкеру. Второй диск альбома мне зашёл больше, но добавила всего две песни. В целом немного не мой вайб, но, думаю, если бы наша friend group услышала его году в 18/19 - нам бы очень зашло. Ставлю 7

слушал и прям возникала мысль «укуси меня пчела это чистая классика, прям по книге написанный альбом» неплохо, но без какой-либо изюминки, безликий для меня в какой-то степени

Decent operatic rock. Sounds like discount Queens.

I didn’t mind the coming here and wasting all my time, time.

The Cars

Gear: Moondrop Variations Artwork: 🚗😆🔦😱💥💀 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🎶🩷✨🧼 Rating: 🚗🚗🚗(🚗)/5

I liked this, good energy

It was good

++: My Best Friends Girl, I'm in Touch with Your World, You're All I've Got Tonight, Bye Bye Love +: Good Times Roll, Don't Cha Stop, All Mixed Up +-: Just What I Needed, Moving in Stereo 7,6/10

Catchy enough.

pleasantly surprised loved the instrumentals ‘youre all ive got tonight’ #1

Pretty nice synthy tracks and a few songs that are recognised classics. Medium 3.

jumps in a triangle from cool to silly to annoying and back and forth and back and forth

Perfectly fine. I had this on and before I knew it, it was over without catching my attention much, other than the couple tracks I knew. Not overly annoying, not especially great. A textbook 3.

I don't love every song here, in fact Let The Good Times Roll has always been annoying to me and I feel disappointed when I randomly hear it on the radio (the one song by them I feel that way about). But I like this band a lot. They seem to have a lot of reverence to music from the 50s, and they have perfected that short and sweet melodic pop song format, bringing it into a new era. They certainly had their own distinct sound going for the late 70s and early 80s. A song I really love by them is Drive, and looking that up I realize that probably every album of theirs has a few songs I really enjoy, including this one. Solid. 3.5

The guys seem to have a knack for taking simple sounding parts and making interesting music out of them. Always a recognizable sound and really cool background vocals.

hm

Solide.

The first half was great. There were some neat experimentations in the second half, but ultimately it all left me indifferent. It's a good 70's pop rock record.

Last time my listening notes didn't save, as far as I can tell, do hopefully these will. Overall a decent album, not really my style but also not anything I dislike. Musically, it is well constructed, quite sparse at points but in a good way. I'm not sure if that's just the time period or specific to The Cars. I enjoyed how the different instruments were layered. I wasn't really impressed with the vocals, but then I don't think amazing vocals are always necessary, and they fit with the rest of the music. The harmonies are nice. Lyrically, I didn't pay that much attention (I never do). I don't think there was much to get my attention, either in a good or a bad way.

I didn't think I liked The Cars, but this is changing my mind

Perfectly fine, reminds me of Kiss with less energy/pomposity

I really like a few of their songs (My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed) but the rest blurred a bit

I think “Just What I Needed” is the only song I needed to listen to before I die.

Fine, not a huge standout.

'Let the good times roll' reminds you from the start that The Cars had more in common with Television and the New York scene than later became apparent with the mega-hit Heaertbeat City album. Jarring guitars, classy hook and that New York swagger. It continues perfectly with 'My Best Friend's Girl.' In fact, 'Just What I Needed' takes this opening run of pop classics to three. Admittedly it goes downhill form here. 'I'm in touch with your world' is utter rubbish. Pedestrian. It picks up a bit but never to the same level as those first three killer tunes.

How do you rate an album precisely when you've heard half the songs in movies and grocery stores for 40 years The other songs inspired SWRevenge and Killers so I guess 3 stars?

in the world of cars this album would be a ford focus. straight down the middle. not particularly fast, but not slow. not particularly good looking, but not hideous. not particularly economic, but not a gas guzzler. not particularly interesting, but not boring. not particularly cool, but not a ssanyong. just middle.

Do you like rock music? If you do then this album is for you. I like this album the beat of the songs are great, I like the guys voice. I also like taht there using drums it makes the songs sound good. I would recommend this album because there songs are great and I like his voice

cover goes hard liked tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 strong 3

Fun, poppy, and a little gimmicky. A few standout tracks, but a lot of skippable songs on an already shorter album. Wouldn't hate this as an EP with maybe 3 or 4 songs, but it's not great when a shorter album feels bloated with throwaway tracks. Highs are solid, lows are low. Top tracks: Good Times Roll, Just What I Needed, Moving in Stereo

This album is very split for me. Half the songs are real 70s rock jams, and the other half are either too weird or too plain. As a debut there’s one or two impressive singles that have stood the test of time, while the rest is clearly not their best work.

yeah! this was an album. I liked it, but I didn't love it. That's okay though!

Good Times Roll 3.3 My Best Friend's Girl 3 Just What I Needed 3.6 I'm in Touch with Your World 3.2 Don't Cha Stop 3.1 You're All I've Got Tonight 3.3 Bye Bye Love 3.1 Moving in Stereo 3.3 All Mixed Up 3.4 Score: 3.255555556

It was fine I don’t think there were any stand outs

Crazy that this album had four major major hits on it and I didn’t know that any of them were by this band except for the let the Goodtimes roll.

I’d give it a 7/10, i liked most of the songs and it helped me get out of my comfort zone of music.

Nice but not great

Good

This sounds like 70’s youth to me. Even now I feel like older people listen to this music to feel young again. There’s a kind of fresh teen recklessness in these tunes idk. Just what I needed bangs of course

I almost like it. Good vibes, within the realm of my favourite genres, but... just a bit tamed and pale :(

I liked some of the songs

Some cool electric stuff going on, interested in listening to this again in the future.

A decent effort. Similar to Talking Heads in places.

#71 - some catchy tunes here! Not a lot of depth or anything interesting really, a good album to play if you're driving down the coast or something

Some great stuff and some lesser tracks. The classics are classic for a reason though

Not a single mention of any cars

Has some good classic songs on it but overall not something I think I will reach for too often.

3.5. Such strong singles

Actually liked it a good amount. Would have to be a low 3 but still a 3 regardless

Solid album but a lot of the songs sound the same

All the songs very same-y. Not my taste. If they were around today, maybe I'd like them more. No cold stone classics on the record.

I get the feeling I will be repeating myself a lot in doing these reviews. So many of these albums are inoffensive music, usually erring on the side of good rather than bad even though they mostly don’t suit my tastes, I just can’t work out why they make a list of influential albums over so many other things that were excluded. The Cars, as far as I’m concerned, are a reasonably competent pop-rock outfit from the time period where reasonably popular pop-rock outfits slayed pussy, but realistically what is the influence this album has had? Really just a one hit wonder with “Just What I Needed” which is a really catchy great track. The rest of the album though is just there. Nothing really attention grabbing. Maybe I’m looking at these things wrong. It could be that these guys were the first to bring the synth sound into mainstream rock that was so prevalent through the 80s. I just don’t see the importance here. Overall not a bad album. I don’t think I’d go out of my way to listen to it again aside from the hit, which I had already heard.

Completely inoffensive and obviously important. Just can't shake the feeling that I'm going to... Wait what was I going to say? Idk someone about how how just what I needed is the only memorable song on the album. Completely eclipsed by what it helped to inspire but I'd take this over brit-pop any day 6/10 Fav tracks - Good times roll, just what I needed, all mixed up Least Fav - None really

My question with this album, why is this on the 1001 list? What makes this special? I enjoyed my time with this album, Just what I need, and My Best Friend's Girl were good songs that stick out to me but it didn't feel like a big deal of an album. The only thing it might have influenced was the model on the cover ODing/poisoned. Didn't really feel like a profound album or anything but I could be (and I usually am) wrong. 3/5.

A bit samey, especially the huge poppy hits that are also the best songs on here. There are a few oddball tunes among the track list, but this rests on Ocasek's strong power pop writing chops. Highlights: "Good Times Roll", "My Best Friend's Girlfriend", "Just What I Needed"

Good classic pop/rock. I realized that Just What I Needed is the most popular track from the album, and even though my stats show I’ve listened 3 times before, I didn’t recognize it at all.

always liked the Cars - their old stuff. this album is great from '78! I heard hints of the cure but just for a moment, catchy offbeat melodies that I am still happy to listen to - never thought they would have some staying power but they do

Just what I needed! Faves: Just What I Needed, Good Times Roll

The album that really launched The Cars. Classic minimalist songs with catchy tunes and vocals. Fun, but not too serious, music. Great album.

right in the middle, big up to "all mixed up"

Ligero, sabroso, buena onda. Pone de buenas. No todas las canciones son un hitazo, pero tiene la icónica Moving in stereo.

Really good album, and had sounds spanning from early 70s well into the 80s... But no track was quite good enough to push it up to a 4...

Pidin tästä rehdistä poprockista! Konstailematonta, sopivasti 70-lukua mutta kumman ajatonta. Huumoriakin vähän. Mikäs sen mukavampaa kuunneltavaa.

"Synteettistä" - koukut tuntuvat päälle liimatuilta mutta toimivat paikoin loistavasti. Jatkanen tutustumista.

Ok

surprisingly better than I expected.

It was good, maybe even great. I'll have to listen to it a few more times.

This guy has a really solid voice that can be smooth or gritty. Otherwise, everything about this seems like pretty typical soul/R&B. It doesn’t stand out to me as notable or essential. It’s all pretty decent, musically competent, and a decent listen, but there’s nothing particularly special about it.

A bit too 80s for me, but not unpleasant

I didn't realize how many hits were on this album. All around good. The ones that didn't gain much attention were just ok, but the star power of the big songs elevate the album a bit. 3/5

6.5/10

Good Times Roll My Best Friend's Girl Just What I Needed Moving in Stereo

The Cars have a knack for making music you can't get out of your head. They also seem to have ushered in the 80s, even though this self-titled album came out in 1978. The biggest issue is the simplicity of the lyrics. I always knew what song I was listening to because 85% of the lyrics would be repeating the title. I wish I could give this a higher rating, but they just lack a little bit of creativity lyrically. Best Songs: My Best Friends Girl, Just What I Needed, Moving in Stereo Worst Songs: Good Times Roll, You're All I've Got Tonight,

Nice album, especially for something that you leave playing in the background. Overall, not too bad but nothing really exciting happened, apart from one cool instrumental moment in the Moving in Stereo song, but that was it.

Sounds way ahead of it's time.

Enjoyable

I listened to it. I remember really liking the beginning but then it kinda just faded in the background bc I was stressed. Cool though and I’m definitely keeping it. Had an upbeat vibe. Wait holy crap good times roll

Rock-pop ochentero. No conocía ninguna

Two commercially known songs and 7 songs that were the definition of ok. 5/10

No hice escucha atenta, ya lo había escucha, como álbum me gusta un poco

Just What I Needed and My Best Friend's Girl are both really catchy, I've always particularly liked the former, and as far as 80s albums go I quite like this one, but it didn't really stand out. Fave Track: Just What I Needed Rating: 3

My first car was. 1997 Volvo. It didn’t have a working tape deck, and it sure as hell didn’t have a CD player or Aux input. So I was essentially limited to the radio. Being an anti-modern music, anti-pop music snob at the time (I’m in recovery now, I promise), three of my radio presets were the three major classic rock stations in my area. I discovered some bands and songs I didn’t know before, and enjoyed classics I already loved. The Cars were one of those bands that came on frequently. When they did I…I’d often switch to another station. I really didn’t like “Good Times Roll,” and was sick of “Just What I Needed” from those Best Buy commercials it was featured in. Those were pretty much the only two songs of theirs that would get any airtime. So based on that, I wasn’t a fan. Fast forward fifteen or so years, and we’re here. My tastes have grown and changed (I’m in recovery, remember?), and through the years and my half a year with this project my perspective and attitude toward a lot of music has changed as well. So I really did feel like I was coming at this with fresh ears, especially given that I haven’t thought about The Cars in probably a decade. I actually liked this album. Not enough to be overwhelmed or anything. But enough to give The Cars a second look. They’re much more New Wave than I expected. I heard some Talking Heads sounds in here. I heard some really interesting and at times bizarre stuff. I expected a pop rock album and what I got was a creative, sometimes odd New Wave album that definitely stands on its own. I’m pleasantly surprised to be giving it three stars. Good job, The Cars. Standout Tracks: My Best Friend’s Girl, Just What I Needed

An album that is jam-packed with hit songs. While I had heard a lot of The Cars before, I didnt realize just how many of their hits came from this debut album. That being said, its hard not to notice just how similar a lot of their songs sound when you hear them back to back. Also, the songs that werent hits really dont carry their weight. Overall a good album- catchy songs but lacking any real punch.

bored me until I'm in touch with your world. like the drum pattern in it.

Var det takling heads? Næ. Men det var godt nok til at jeg lyttede 2 gange alligevel.

Det album har klare Talking Heads vibes med en fræk guitarlyd og der er noget David Byrne’sk over vokalen. Men The Cars når bare ikke Talking Heads niveau, ihverfald ikke på dette album. Der mangler et eller andet. Noget coolness måske. Måske mere ironisk distance.

Just What I Needed was my favorite song, and good times roll, apart from that, I tried so hard to like the album. It was like a petty attempt to force myself to like this rock garbage

Ihan kivat parit kappaleet, muuten vähän tylsänpuoleista. Mutta ei huono.

Nice easy to listen rock album

This should be the official soundtrack to the radddad Instagram page

Rock, Pop, 1978 -> 3

Enjoyable with a few songs that I really like, and several memories: like Moving in Stereo that Bingo the Dog used to blast outside his dorm room. And my eldest brother having the original vinyl back in the late 70s/early 80s.

STANDOUTS: My Best Friend's Girl Good Times Roll Just What I Needed OVERALL: 3.5/5

Algumas músicas boas e outras não, bem produzido e com instrumental diverso. Muito bom para um álbum pop, mas pouco inovador ou memorável. Acho que é um álbum que vou voltar a ouvir num dia que estiver afim de anos 80, mas não faço questão de ouvi-lo inteiro novamente.

pretty good stuff - im not prepared to give it 4 stars because i didnt get anything out of the album but i would like to say that this is probably as far away as you can get from my previous review whilst still being the same rating

I don't know... it kind of feels a bit like a less exciting alternative to Talking Heads? At least the singer sounds quite similar to David Byrne. Not sure which band came first, just an observation. Had a hard time finding a song I liked. Even the more popular ones didn't really stick it for me. Weak 3 it is.

This album is full of good songs, but my only issue with them is that a lot of the lyrics are repeated a lot making the songs sound a little repetitive. I personally enjoy their other album called Heartbeat City more. Favorite song: Just What I Needed I'll consider this a high 3/5.

good listen, although i will say that i didn't realize that one song ended and the other started until i looked at the spotify app

Gotta say, I have a hard time correlating the rave 5 star reviews with what I'm hearing. Both the raving and the reviews' contents. Consciously listening to it, or The Cars for that matter, for the first time, this album answers a lot of questions I never had. What if Robert Smith was in Queen. What if New Wave but for an algorithm to follow up with Heart and the Eagles. I mean, I kinda get it - what if #96, Talking Heads' "Fear Of Music" wasn't that dorky-ass art school shit, but instead pleasant rock® for the whole family? But I did not ask for any of that. Why would I? That said, the way they sprinkle in synths here and there is quite lovely and I will admit that this flavour of a radio-friendly genre mix with a 1978 hit that, to me, sounds pretty timeless probably deserves a spot on this particular list.

More themes and trends emerging as this project continues: My reviews often have more to do with the 1001 project and generally comparing albums to each other than rating/reviewing an individual album itself. I'm seeing themes emerge, I'm going to start using a hash tag to organize them so they're easily searchable. This album is another where there's a single standout (Just What I needed), which is not a bad thing. The standout wouldn't have been possible without the others. Much like a dominant mountain peak wouldn't be as tall without the surrounding foothills. Since I just went camping near Mt Hood, an example of this mountain dynamic, I'm going to call this category #hood Another example is #wedding for music that would light up a dance floor. Anyway, I'd give this album a 2.5 PS what's new about new wave?

hadn't heard of the cars before. rly enjoyed the album, very enjoyable new wave and synthpop stuff. love the beach boys 60s pop esc harmonies, and the synth work is rly fun too

When I went over to France to immerse myself, my host family had a vinyl of this. I’m finally listening to it nearly a year after going to France, and it seems bland and inoffensive (two songs in). Apparently it was the progenitor of new wave though, a genre from which I enjoy a few songs, so I shall give this a distinctly average review. I’ve just reread the reviews and I’m unsure where I came up with that, but… what is the point of this then? With further listening, I admire their technique and their songwriting. 6/10.

Classic early 80s (although technically late 70s)

Good Times Roll My Best Friend's Girl Just What I Needed You're All I've Got Tonight

A bit mid but not bad at all

Classic

1001 Albums Day 3 I do find the genre intriguing, it's country/blues rock with quite a few electronic elements, and at the same time similar to the guitar-forward pop at the time like Peter Gabriel, a little bit all over the place, but I am a fan of that approach, I can't lie. That being said, I do find the music itself a bit boring, simple and repetitive. While it's clearly well crafted, high-fidelity, especially for the time, and full of little details, the core itself, I find uninteresting. The country elements are all incredibly hokey, which I know is of the time, doesn't mean I have to like it though. This is likely due to my own biases, late-70s to early-80s is one of my least favourite eras of rock, and quite frankly I do see the era's criticisms of being vapid in this album. It has very little to say, it's all good time, no message, all flash, no substance. Not to say that that is meritless, it certainly has its place, and I do mean the genuinely, but that place is not in my ears. But if you're the type of listener that is looking for a good time, more caring about the guitarwork than the lyrical universe, then this is for you. Though speaking of guitarwork, it doesn't exactly have the most impressive or interesting of the era, it is still fine, but as with a lot of the record, a bit simple. And AGAIN I am neither judging nor talking that down, the beautiful thing about music is that it is EVERYTHING. Favs: Bye Bye Love Least favs: Moving in Stereo, I'm In Touch With Your World, Don't Cha Stop 57/100

Saw the album and thought, “Sweet, those first three songs are all great, can’t wait to hear it all.” Afterwards, thought “My Dad brainwashed me when I was young.” It’s good, but nothing special. Just What I Needed still bops.

No life is a highway -1

There are several big hits on here that feel like they're still well-known by contemporary audiences, but they don't feel like they stand out much based on their own merit now. The album is passable, no more, no less.

Pretty good for 70's/80's pop-rock. A couple classics, which made me think I should consider getting their greatest hits album...but I tried that and I'll pass. Still, not bad. 3.1

I used to really love the cars, now i still like them but they are a bit too dad rock for me. But when those guitar riffs kick in, whew

A solid debut from one of the most fun bands out of that era. There is a blissful kind of optimism through this whole record, a sweet sense of teenage innocence in these anthems about romance and simply having a good time. I think a few of these songs are a little bit awkward, specially the ones where they go for a more "experimental" direction, but songs like "Just What I Needed", "You're All I've Got Tonight" and "Moving in Stereo" are true relics of that era's teen lifestyle.

There are two songs on there with >100m streams. I have never listened to either one before. Thing is, I wouldn't have missed them either.

honestly STOKED on telling my dad that i finally listened to one of his favorite albums and found it mid

Just eating this so I can see the next alb

it's ok

Fine but forgettable.

Норм рок. Синт-рок, если есть такое направление. Включить шумом, пока едешь по дороге в машине -- ок, но в остальном ничего такого.

5/10

I thought the album was good, but I feel like i understand why rock music has moved to new places

few cracking tracks

Agree with Cox, quite enjoyed this album. Was easy to listen to. 7/10

Solid album. Pretty good new wave, pop with some familiar songs. I enjoyed the listen. ***

Rock-pop ochentero. No conocía ninguna.

Fine

(Für mich) das nächste One-Hit-Wonder, eigentlich kenne ich nur den Song Drive, und wenn er im Radio läuft denke ich: Ah ja, 10cc, I'm not in love. Ach nein, falsch, das sind äh... The Cars. Jetzt sitzt es. Die Bildungslücke ist jetzt gefüllt. Starker erster Aufschlag.

This is exactly the kind of music and quality you expect from an album and band both called "The Cars". I guess this album is like watching Formula 1. Depending on your disposition, it's either an exciting affair underpinned by romanticized nostalgia from back then and subconscious memories of your (grand)father, or simply loud cars driving in circles.

Decent album but the bass lines all sound the same

Blah blah blah 80s classic rock blah blah blah again blah blah blah some bangers but still not transcended.

As a kid, everyone seemed to have bought this album. But, it's just too overplayed to enjoy it anymore. My best friends girl: Just What I needed (probably the best track). Forgot how good Moving in Stereo was!

I enjoyed the throwback 70s synth sounds. As dated as this album may be, I do have fond feelings towards what almost every track has to offer. It's about as motivating and feel good as you'd expect considering the era it represents. The LP makes me feel as if I was in a giant motivational montage with it's adventurous rock and roll instrumentals throughout. The more rush energy tracks are my kind of thing, songs like Just what I needed and Don't Cha Stop keep the positivity flowing.

Some old tunes I know. Slight grower.

Fun album.

Enjoyable album which grew on me as it progressed

entertaining

There's already the IMHO typical The Cars sound. Solid production, the album starts well, but the second half gets a bit boring. But after all, it's their debut, so they need room for future improvements.

Fun album. Some pretty decent pop songs to sing along to. 3.5/5 Might listen again

3.5 could go to 4 with more listens

Some classics - Good Times Roll, Best Friends Girl, Just What I needed, etc.

Great, classic, a liiiittle dated. I can't explain it, but the "twang" in the vocals puts a timeframe on the music and it's not quite what I expect to hear in 2024. I probably won't come back to the whole album, but the individual tracks are stand-outs.

Josiah - 3 Elen - 3 3

Quite forgettable.

Like the Pretenders, this VU inspired group, boasting a Modern Lover and a bass player who was never photographed with Queen's Roger Taylor, proving they are the same person (Red Pill: Roy Thomas Baker, who produced the first five Queen albums, is in charge of the excellent sonics here, so fuck you). But Queen this ain't. This is "New Wave". You can tell because they got their wardrobe from the same hip catalog. "Thin ties. Snazzy Suit jackets" (always room for Jello in some shit I'm writing). I really shouldn't lump them together, or type the words "New Wave" with an underlying contempt for the mass consumption it emblemizes; my knowledge of both is limited to 80s FM radio, and with The Cars, that was a lot. And the videos. And the Super Models. And the Wayfarers. So taking this front to back, its solid, competent. No sign of Mutt Lange (the mulleted jagwagon who glopped up the MTV iteration of the band). It boasts one all time classic in "My Best Friend's Girl", one associated with Phoebe Cates coming hither (and a generation of horny teenagers coming yon), and a bunch of rock radio hits. I have never met a Cars obsessive-not a slam, they must exist-but they must exist. This shit gets constant play on FM Rock Radio. Anyway, its cool, I guess.

I had their very popular release, but didn’t realize they had other hit albums. This was good and holds up.

Couple of great tracks here

This was alright! Nothing too exciting but definitely listenable! First couple of tracks are excellent but it all gets a bit samey as you go through.

Made me step in lign with the beat on my way to the bus stop/side of a field but it was a little stressful 🔥🔥

The woman on the cover looks like she's just run over a cyclist and she's happy about it. Inoffensive new wave pop

I had no idea what to expect on this one. I suppose the best way of describing it is a fun inoffensive mixture of styles. Actually I quite enjoyed it, but can’t say I’d ever listen to it again, except maybe ‘You’re all I’ve got tonight’. Random thoughts: I was quite surprised it was 1978 and not mid-80s, so maybe ahead of its time? Also ‘Just what I needed’ seems to be a very early precursor to skate rock.

Everything sounds good, but overall I found it kind of average. Feels like there wasn't too much to the songs other than repeating the chorus. A lot of "hey thats the name of song" moments on this album.

sooo booring this was extremely mid, not bad but im unexcited unintirgued. album cover is so cunty n the album itself just does not do it justice 6/10

Interesting. Pretty sparse instrumentals at times, which I disliked as the album went on. Fun to find Just What I Needed in the wild. Otherwise kinda mid. 6/10

Some really good songs, but lowkey dragged in the middle. The last song was good though

I really enjoyed a few songs but overall, too happy for me. but the guitar solos are great

Some charging passages and electric licks sound far more recent than 1978. Proto-post-punk tracks.

For some reason for which I can't remember I already had Just What I Needed saved in Own Personal Rics, it's got some classic late 70s into 80s glamish light rock going on. Aside from that the rest of the album was pretty trash.

i am sure this is a nice album but i have no memory of listening to it

bop-filled but a little forgettable

UR ALL I GOT TONITE. UR ALL I GOT TONITE. This is pretty poppy for the time. I know a lot of these tunes. It's not bad lol

its alright. no absolute bangers but moving in stereo and best friends girl were both pretty good. 6/10

The Cars took us on a ride here and while it wasn’t a fast ride, it was scenic with windy roads and I had a good time. Synth pop done well with some crunchy guitar riffs tossed in. The guitar work is what surprised me, thought it was especially good on You’re all I’ve Got Tonight. Moving in Stereo was an impressive track that caught me off guard as well. Good fun 3.5 stars

Meh

I like the blend of 1970's vibes and New Wave sounds -- I knew some of these songs already but not all of them, so it was an interesting listen.

Classic pop rock album, lots of well-known hits here. It's easy listening, and probably just as likely to be heard in boomer-directed advertisements as on the radio these days. Can't deny the catchiness of songs like "Just What I Needed", "My Best Friend's Girl", and "You're All I've Got Tonight".

Pretty fine fayre. Plenty of hooks to grab the attention. Varied enough with enough depth to elevate above pure pop and keep the interest until the closing track.

3 - When I was younger, I saw the amount of hits off of this album and assumed this album would be amazing, kinda like a Thriller situation, but to a lesser degree. But, while there are a couple hits off of here that I like, I don't love them or anything, at least not as much as I used to, and everything else is just whatever to me. It all fits together as one cohesive album, but I got bored with some of the deep cuts. I don't like The Cars as much as I thought I would at a younger age, but I'm fine with that. I've found music much more up my alley since then.

didn’t realise this was the album that my best friends girl was on. Just what I needed is a banger. Everything else on it is kinda mid. Moving in stereo is nb.

So front loaded you forget it's not a greatest hits album. There are some serious duds in this line-up though, and the songs that I like are just on the good side of great. A strong 3 from me.

best ok

This album has no ups no downs it just keeps at the same average level the whole time. I quitte enjoyed it, but again it’s nothing special or memorable.

Whatever

New Wave. Die Gitarrenparts überwiegen zum Glück die Synthesizerparts. Aber alles in allem für mich eher mittelmäßig.

Classic. 3.5

Good

Classic classic rock

Classic rock, sometimes kinda punk. Enjoyable

A bit dated but okay. Some weird stuff going on

The songs I already know would probably still be the main reason to go back to the album.

Textbook boomer dad rock (in perfectly fine way)

Enjoyable with some great songs. Vocals are average and the backing vocals are also not a style I enjoy.

Classic

Bizarre, but interesting

Album started off strong but got boring quickly

It was easy listening, not much special

Easy listening crowd-pleasing rock, fun to hear some of the deep tracks off this album for the first time.

There’s a couple of great songs on here - I particularly adore the synth bridge in “Just What I Needed” - and I can absolutely see why they were so beloved as part of that New Wave…wave of bands, but as a whole it doesn’t really hit for me.

A fun, no-strings-attached power pop album. Populated by high-powered gainy guitars, driving 70’s drums, shimmery keys, and multi-tracked delayed vocals, the eponymous debut record by The Cars very much paves the way for future electrified bands in the 80’s and beyond. It still stands on its own, however, as rock-forward, guitar shredded, surface-level lyrical experience. It did not redefine or awaken any great love in me, possibly because The Cars sound exactly like the kind of band Spinal Tap mocked, but still a fun listen. Stand out tracks include “Just What I Needed”, “Don’t Cha Stop”, and “Moving in Stereo”.

The first few songs were good, but that is not enough to elevate the album.

OKAY then, so maybe THAT was Not the Greatest Album EVER, but it was some strong nostalgia, especially Moving in Stereo. We will have to wait and see if these suggestions get stronger over time. Amazon does NOT play gapless?! There is NO EXCUSE for THAT!