Reviews (page 4 of 15)
Noen bangers, men jevnt over ganske meh.
This record came out when I was working in a record store, so I can assure you that I have heard it. Hey, I even had the 7-inch of "Just What I Needed" on red vinyl, though I think I got it for free as some kind of record store promo thing. This is a crossing point between power pop and early New Wave. The backing music sometimes sounds like a throwback to songs from the early 60s with the twangy guitar and simple choruses, and then on other tracks you get more electronic stuff, like what would be prominent in the early 80s. The standout track for me on here is "I'm in Touch With Your World" (the b-side of "Just What I Needed"), which is a little weirder and more restrained than the rest of it. This wasn't my favorite record at the time, but it's fun to listen to now. 4 stars
A bit front loaded, but a brilliant and influential album
A solid debut from The Cars but probably not my favourite album of theirs. Still a decent effort, with an album cover that I still love. Favourite track: Just What I Needed
Glad I saved this for number 100 - it was completely just ok the whole time
God I could not find a way to care about this album lmao. It's neat to see what The Cars sound like when they're not just blasting a random chorus in a TV commercial but it turns out the deep cuts aren't much better! I will say I appreciated the effort to do something experimental with I'm in Touch with Your World, but they used the same auxiliary percussion instruments you typically hear in slapstick comedy so it just sounded goofy and I couldn't take it seriously. All Mixed Up wasn't bad though, glad we ended on a high note.
Worse than other 3 stars but just what I needed is a classic in my head for some reason so it sneaks in there. Overall, really boring album though
Overall Rating - 3.67/5 (7.33/10). Didn't realize so many classics of early new-wave were all on this album. Good album.
Some nice hooks and melodies, but to predictable for my taste. I'm In Touch With Your World is best song here
Probably the most 80's sounding album I've heard in a while. Full on 80's-voice, boring drums, lame synths. Impressive for a 1978 release I guess?
Not really my style
I listened to it at work today. Only a few people knew the band. I think it's nice, but not very special.
Not a bad little album, some songs I didn't realise I knew here. Nothing overly exciting though.
This is the best album they made in my opinion, none of my favorite songs are here but thisbwas fresh and new and impactful. I feel thisbis their masterpiece. 2 songs sounds too similar which is why I disnt give it 5 stars
Heard of band, never listened to the album. Starts off with a banger. Really good guitar and vocals. Keys as well work really well. My best friends girl is another classic. Didn’t know the cars had it like that. Great way to start an album. Love the guitar solo. 3/3 with just what I needed. This is the best one so far. Another all time classic. That keyboard riff is awesome. Very futuristic. I’m in touch with your workd has a lot going on. Again, futuristic production. Not as good as the first 3 but it’s another well made song. Don’t cha stop is much more 70s. Great guitar solo. Just not as futuristic as a sound. Still a good song. Are you kidding me another all time classic with you’re all I got tonight. I know all these songs, never realized they came from the same album. Again, great vocals, keys and guitar. Bye bye love is way too similar to you’re all I’ve got. It’s still a good song, just thought I was still listening to the same song. Love the fade into moving in stereo. Can’t believe how good the production is on this one. Again, ahead of its time. And it’s a great closer in all mixed up. This album was 9 good songs in a row with 4/5 all timers mixed in. Jus good music for 35 mins straight. 4.3/5 stars.
Mid, no conocía la banda pero tampoco me parece la gran cosa, tiene cositas de Queen, me parecen buenas canciones Just what I need, You’re all I’ve got tonight y All mixed up. 5/10
Is not to bad, but definitely no my style
Good
This one took a while for me to get into, but when I did I found myself really engaged. Couple of standout hits for me, not only the classic Moving in Stereo, but also the final track.
First three songs well known (at least to me). Gets a bit darker and less upbeat after that "Good times Roll" as the high point. Different vocalist on the second half of the album contributes to this. 3.5.
Backhalf turns what otherwise is a solid 5 into a 4. One of the best series of album openers I know of.
LOVE! can't get enough. What else is there to say 10/10
A cool new wave style rock album that I really enjoyed whilst listening to it but have kinda already forgotten about. It was mostly all good, but more background music despite the genre. Just needed more big hitters.
Some classics and some good songs I've never heard before
no entiendo por qué nunca lo había escuchado… potencial para ser llamado álbum de hits.
awesome pop rock album
It’s a classic for a reason. The cars are always a hit.
I never realized this album was the late 70's. I always associated it with the early to mid 80's. Really good album. Lots of good songs and even the average ones weren't bad.
There are some real high moments on here, but outside of that, it starts to run together a little quickly. I think this is one of those albums that's better as time capsule back to music at a particular time than it is as something you listen to cause it's just so good on it's own.
Classic
This takes me back to my childhood, one of my dad’s favourite albums.
Such a great debut album, combining elements of pop and new wave. I’ve argued before that Let The Good Times Roll, My Best Friends Girl, and Just What I needed is one of the best three song runs on any album.
3.5
A solid and concise album that whizzes past with fun and vibrant energy. The production on this is impeccable, I love all the synths. The album is chock full of catchy melodies and groovy hooks. My main gripe with the album would be that it sometimes strays too far into cheesiness, there’s even a slide whistle at one point. Sometimes it works but sometimes it doesn’t. It is obviously intentional cheesiness though so I suppose you can’t knock them too much for it. The album is very consistent but “Just What I Needed”, “Bye Bye Love” (great synths), and the fantastic closer “All Mixed Up” were my favourites.
C’était vraiment cool ! J’en attendais rien et c’est vrai que c’était pas le summum de l’originalité, mais c’était fun et ça ne dure guère plus d’une demi-heure donc jamais la lassitude s’installe. Et après une série d’albums pas foufous (on m’a fait écouter du Pantera !), ben j’ai enfin un album que j’apprécie vraiment. Ça sera donc un petit 4.
Favourite tracks - Good Times Roll, My Best Friend’s Girl, Just What I Needed
This album gets 5 stars for Moving in Stereo being the song playing during the Phoebe Cates swimming pool scene. As the kids say, IYKYK. This is one of the best debut albums of all time. 6 of the 9 songs are straight up classics.
spotify accidentally on shuffle
Always loved this album. Like a greatest hits album unto itself, one of the all-timer debuts.
every song on this album could be heard on my deep American south oldies station in the 90s
catchy, fun, danceable and singable. Very worth the listen. A few songs i didn't really feel strongly about My best friend's girl is the one i liked the least billy idol vibes
❤️
Buen álbum, buenas voces tenían
Such an awesome album. I felt so much joy listening to this. 9/10
These are radio hits for a reason. They're simple and catchy, and don't overstay their welcome
Fairly standard rock music.
bye bye love borrows from blue öyster cult (don't fear) the reaper moving in stereo--love the stereo effects here lots of classics here. are they doing anything revolutionary? probably not, i dunno. does that matter? no cause it's enjoyable 4/5, it's a bop
Dad provided the best insight into this album. But he refuses to join the project, so it is lost. Lost forever. A crossword legend is someone who's number of appearances on the New York Times crossword far exceeds what you might expect based on their level of fame. Hats off to 'Ric Ocasek'. His name will live on far longer than most of his contemporaries.
Mid 4 Great start on this. Solid opener, power pop anthem, classic single. Quality drops after that but theres some high points
Starts with 3 late seventies classics and the rest is pretty good too. Moving In Stereo is a really good track. ? Inspiration for Supergrass.
New wave/Talking Heads intricacies meets Queens guitar heavy catchiness. A real gem
An absolute classic. Such easy listening and absolute tunes!
lovely
awesome. really fun to listen to. definitely gonna check other albums by them and play this one many times
Super Dope
me encantó.
4.5 - fantastic album
Very in the middle. Not bad, but not amazing.
This is really a positive sounding album, just about everything bad and wrong can wait at the door whilst this is on. The album is filled with infectious earworms left right and centre, only bad thing is that I'm having a real hard time getting the infectious worm/s into my ear, I can hear them and recognise them but they're not in my ear! Which totally breaks my heart because it's such a positive one. It's just one of those ones where I wished I liked a lot more, mostly because of how fanatic and raving people are about the Cars self-titled album and also because I can see why people like it. O WELL. Highlight Song/s: "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Just What I Needed"
One of strongest debut albums ever. While it isn't mind blowing, these are just some of the strongest catchiest group of songs. Also real ones know that Moving in Stereo is their best songs. Low 5.
Kinda like early Queen, without any of the rediculous talent, or Freddie Mercury, or creativity.... So, not really like them at all. Just What I Needed gets a point and a half alone however, what a bop.
Recognized some one hit wonders. Also interesting to hear what sounds like inspiration for other bands.
mmmeee
This is all that ive got tonight?
Everybody in this band was a gun player, but Elliot Easton may be one of the most underrated guitarists in rock.
I found it kinda cornball-y. Moving in Stereo brought me back in. Not for my taste overall.
Feels like a best of. Just so well put together. I can see why weezer got Ocasek to produce their first album.
Great album, catchy songs, good guitar playing. Zoned out partly on moving in stereo
If you know the singles from this album it’s quite easy to imagine the cars are essentially the soundtrack to US teen movies. And that’s partially true when they flex their power pop muscles but it’s weirder than that. Equal parts Bowie and sparks. But where both of those are artsy, this is poppier and more mainstream. Not necessarily a bad thing
7/10 The bridge from 70s music to 80s music. A very fun album with some awesome anthemic pop-rock bangers. However, it does get a little repetitive at times. Favorite tracks: My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed, Don't Cha Stop Least Favorite Track: I'm In Touch With Your World
This used to be one of my favorites when it first came out. I still like it but dont listen to this kind of music much anymore. Still good though
The whole album is catchy, tight and tough from start to finish, it's an excellent and highly enjoyable pop record. The grinning manic face on the cover is a plus.
Very good album. 3,8
Tailed off a bit in the middle but overall very good with some definite bangers!
just yes - it is always the cars!!!
Great album! I thought it came out in 1981 or 1982 but I guess that's how long it played on the radio, well into the 80s.
Rated this album, it sounded great with some really hooky memorable songs. Just good vibes front to back.
So good. It's gotten better with age and just the list of people and bands that they influenced from Queensryche to INXS, and more. Effectively and beautifully combining keyboards and guitar to create a real rock sound that isn't overly heavy or experimental. 4+
One of my favorites. Played this album frequently as a kid. Amazing sounds and creativity that still affect me the same way.
Me encanto mal. Todos los temas. Ningun skip. Muy buen sonido
My boss called this a perfect album, and upon 4 listens, I say to that "No, but it's good". I only knew The Cars from two things: Ric Ocasek's work with Weezer and then him later preventing the release of Car Seat Headrest's Teens of Denial due to an uncleared sample. If I also vaguely recall, some internet woman before COVID would parade around with that album cover like it was her life. Six years later, I hear it as a solid, new wave power pop record. The hits are well-done, the Devo-like quirk is there, those floppy synths. Even some bits of Queen harmonizing show up on this record. It's a good mix, but I don't know if I could accurately call it full-on great at this time. Who knows? I may come around to it and then make it my whole personality. For now, I stand here and think "Ok, good, next" (8/10, 4/5 on this scale) (Update: 3/5 on this scale)
Album 16 3/28/26 Took a week off from the project after this was generated, listened to this about a week after on a Saturday afternoon. Dates won't line up on my for a while. A very sweet record that is one I listened to a lot when I was first getting into various types of new wave as a teen. The first three tracks of the album are 5 star worthy. The synthesizers and processed drum sound blend together well throughout, the album intro to Good Times Roll being a prime example. They all tread similar pop-rock ground, but Elliot Easton's guitar licks on My Best Friend's Girl is the best part. The one track I do not care for at all, derailing side A, is I'm in Touch With Your World. Ocasek's delivery and the guitar riffs sound like a bad DEVO impression. I'm mild on tracks 5-9 besides Bye Bye Love, my old personal favorite. The call and response between keys and guitar solos is so sweet on the ears. This album has a good many 5 star tracks, all I which I've written about, some 4s (Good Times Roll, You're All I've Got Tonight), but the rest are either 3s or are I'm in Touch With Your World. Sits near the middle of the 4 Star record wall adjacent to This Year's Model, but below Moving Pictures and Tapestry
They sound British.
Great debut album by the Cars. Highlights: My Best Friend’s Girl, Good Times Roll, Just What I Needed, Bye Bye Love, Moving In Stereo and You’re All I’ve Got Tonight. 4.7
Straightforward singles but interesting early New Wave tracks. Their use of contemporary technologies makes their sound stand out from their peers on a great debut.
olm begendım ha sarıyo uc bucuk
It was good, but front stacked with all the hits
Really good and solid!
Highlights: Just What I Needed, Let The Good Times Roll Could this be one of the best debuts of the late 70s? I'd say it's up there. Overall: 5/10
Meh! I remember their hit singles "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Just What I Needed" but they're not that great and I don't really see what all the fuss is about.
Muy bien!
9/10 Favorite: Just What I Needed
Damn
Joins the list of incredibly good debut albums. Good sound, interesting vibe throughout. For a pop album it's pretty great through and through. Good Times Roll is great. Moving in Stereo is great. The songs all sound distinct but meld together into a great album.
That opening track is such a good composition. Great mixing. The second track has some interesting parts instrumentation wise, but overall it's a bit corny. I've always liked Just What I Needed, just a solid rock song. Another good composition. I found after that there were songs that had their moments and the mixing was pretty good throughout, but the bar was set high early on.
This is a great album, it reminds me of the cure. I liked the classic sound it had to it but I think it is a little basic. I enjoyed it and my favorite song on the album was Just What I Needed.
This album was definitely a pleasant surprise. Didn’t really expect too much going into it, but the collection of upbeat new wave vibes with solid song-writing & cheeky delivery really hit the spot, especially on the bookends of the album. ‘Moving in Stereo’ and ‘All Mixed Up’ as closing tracks are two of my favourites on the record, but the more popular tracks that front-load the album are great too. It tails off slightly in the middle, but other than that it was a good listen.
Solid dad/yacht rock. I wouldn’t reach for it, but it’s a great summer vibe, and one of those albums that I unintentionally know all the lyrics to.
256/1001 The Cars - s/t Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❓ Having not heard anything by The Cars before, yet have heard of them, I went in completely blind. This was fine. There wasn't really anything that captured my attention and I doubt I'll return to this.
It's fine, it's just kinda bland. Maybe when it came out it was fresh and new. The songs are okay, they're upbeat and performed well, they just seem kind of.. throw away. Every song is a 6/10.
Not a bad song on the album. Nothing stands out though.
It's fine, I'll never put it on out of choice
Fine. 2.5/10
Not as bad as I was expecting, but a bit of a Talking Heads copy.
It had some moments but largely pretty uninteresting
This is so 80s
So fun and weird
Just what I needed.
More bops than I knew!
pre listening: sound familiar but never heard of them i think 1978 1: very 80s 2: like but don’t love. 3: hey i know this song! 4: 5: my kinda music! drums and guitar progression i likey. i also like this periods way of sing talking and inflections. 6: the kind of ballad for the self-loathing lover girl but ehh 7: it doesn't stand out for me 8: i like the littel techno-y funk but its not really interesting 9: mixed up and not quite powerful enough ending.
Man the cars have so many hits.
car
There are harmonies in "Good Times Roll" that sound like Queen - this is New Wave, aimed at stadiums, aimed at crossing over from The Rat, from CBGBs, out into the mainstream. Smart songs - "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Just What I Needed" especially. I can also hear the influence of Be Bop Deluxe here - try their "Ships In The Night" as a reference
Sonically very well done. The mixes are incredible. The layered vocals are done to perfection. The sound is very much attached to the era it was born out of though, which isn’t necessarily bad, it’s just the album isn’t likely to translate so well if you weren’t alive to experience it in the late 70s // early 80s. Love the concise, focused nature of the tracks & tracklist; it helps because there isn’t much variation in the sequencing or songs themselves throughout the runtime. There is a very performative, queen-esque, sort of theatrical quality to the lead vocalist’s performance on the album, if that’s your thing, not for me personally.
When I heard the first two super popular tracks I was thinking oh they are just going to be this pop band. I really liked it. Idk why Just What I Needed hit so hard yesterday but I listed to that and then Tinas version as well a lot yesterday.
3/5, good overall listen. only had one song that i ended up skipping. only kept two songs though
Perfect if one's into the more pop side of new wave. Enjoyed it quite a bit.
Much better than I was expecting. Songs still sounding fresh after nearly 50 years! Just what I needed still the standout for me.
nice album but I guess It seemed normal for met
Great rock album - really enjoyed it!
This is a great album. Or at least it starts great :D
I was quite curious about this album, since I thought a mix of New Wave and Art Rock would be interesting. Unfortunately, it just sounds like a bland, unimaginative version of Queen. Harmless, radio-friendly pop-rock with no guts or heart. It's not awful, but most of it bored me. "Moving In Stereo" is the only track that kept my attention, thanks to its hypnotic synth line. Taken separately, there's nothing wrong with any of the instruments, or even the vocals ; they just never coalesce into something truly exciting, proving that if an album can be greater than the sum of its parts, it can also be worse. Their only claim to relevance is that they were pioneers in their own way. "Just What I Needed" is surprisingly modern-souding ; the band clearly paved the way for the feel-good, standardized pop that would flood the market in the 80s. But since I loathe 80s pop, I blame them more than I admire them for this. And what a stupid band name. 3/10
The soundtrack of an 80s American blockbuster, light rock with basically no depth. Still, like with ZZ Top or Steve Miller, I’ve got a soft spot for that kind of thing. A few riffs work, Just What I Needed has this little rhythmic twist I like, and the whole record carries a pretty good vibe which is nice during a cloudy day. So I won’t completely sacrifice this one on the altar of generic music, even though I am pretty sure I will never listen again de whole thing.
holyyyyy that´s a solid 10 Today´s bird: northern cardinal
-reminds me of Queen but more quirky -very chill to crochet to Favs were Don’t Cha Stop and Bye Bye Love
I LOVED Rick Ocasek. I thought his song writing and approach to vocals was fresh. This was a fun record.
This was probably a progressive and forward thinking sound in 1978. Spent most of the listening experience imagining it was from the mid 80’s. Last track was my fav.
This wouldnt really be the kind of music I would like per se but i lowk mess with it. 6.7/10
2,5/5
faves: good times roll (5), bye bye love & all mixed up (ook moving in stereo en just what i needed). wel een lekker album, typisch voor die tijd naar mijn idee en lekker pop/rock/synth combo. niet alle nummers heel bijzonder, maar zeker een paar bangers.
Alright this one's short, lets go. 1. I guess not terrible. 2. I'm not gonna lie. I don't hate this. 3. Okay, this is the famous one. Not my favourite song to hear on the radio, usually always skip to another station. But it's not too bad I guess. 4. okay how could they DO THIS TO ME??!!! they were doing so good, I was rooting for you WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU HOW DARE YOU!!!! This is not a good song. 5. godDAMMITTTTT. This one's not good either. 6. I couldn't even get through this one. 7. Shame, i dont like this one either. 8. Oh my god this is the fast times at ridgemont high song! It's pretty fun. I LOVE PHOEBE CATES!!!!!!!! 9. Nah, this one's not good. This album was so close to actually being good. Just realized its from 1978. It does NOT sounds like a 70s album, it sounds straight from 1985, very ahead of its time i guess. I really like the vocals, better than any 70s vocal i've heard so far, excluding fleetwood mac. But anyways, it was close, real close, but no cigar. But this is the first album i listened to all the way through! I consider that a win. I wish i could give this a 2.5.
Most bands would kill to have a Greatest Hits album as good as this debut album.
Adorei os efeitos sonoros
New wave pioneers. All songs on this album are great. They're all underrated as musicians, especially Elliott Easton.
I wish the synth player left some of the buttons alone. It sounds ahead of its time but you probably had to be there. All over the place.
The sheer volume of FM rock radio staples alone should be enough to let you know how deep this record goes. You've heard all or parts of at least seven of these nine tracks somewhere, like a sporting event or film/tv (complimentary). A record almost as old as I am yet still has a timeless feel to it. Not too stuck in the 70s and not too new wave to be assigned to the 80s.
Sometimes songs become super mega hits for good reason.
this will be my first 5-star review. perfect album, i’ve loved it for almost 50 years.
One of the best debut albums of all time by the greatest skinny tie band ever. Power pop new wave with just enough 70s rock DNA. All hits, all the time. Extra special thanks to Phoebe Cates.
Was ok quite liked it.
Вааах! Мені сподобалось. i enjoyed it вважаю шо одна з баз кінця 70тих
1. Good Times Roll - This is not a bad song by any means. This track is boring- it's safe, it's not risk taking. 7.65/10 2. My Best Friend's Girl - Miles better than the first track. The enchanting backing vocals carry the track. 8.1/10 3. Just What I Needed - 10/10 4. I'm In Touch With Your World - This song is a chore to listen to. It has its moments, but they're few and far between. 5.4/10 5. Don't Cha Stop - track is youthful and energetic, however, it suffers from the same flaw as most of the tracks on this album: it's boring. Encapsulating at times, but it fails to follow through on its hooks. It feels as though it's playing chicken with my ears. 6.85/10 6. You're All I've Got Tonight- Maybe my expectations were lowered, but I really liked this song. Steady energy, good guitars and a great use of keys. 7.64/10 7. Bye Bye Love - This is a boring album, full of mostly boring songs. The novelty of this track wears off decently quick. Just as I think the album is picking up, I get bored again. 6.8/10 8. Moving In Stereo - This is a song I can confidently say stands on it's own. Eerie and otherworldly. I believe it should have been the opening track. Not as good as some of the other songs - but it's better than the lesser tracks. 7.8/10 9. All Mixed Up - Entertaining and comforting. I can confidently say this is the second best song of the album. Addicting and mesmerizing. 8.85/10 -- I could have died without listening to this album. It was incredibly mediocre, however it does have some redeeming qualities. There are a few stand out tracks scattered throughout out, but if you have to listen to one song from this album, it'd be Just What I Needed. The Cars' self titled album is definitely not the worst debut album I have heard, but it isn't the best either. This album showcases the band's potential, but it also shows their flaws. Overall 7.6/10 showcases the band's potential, but also shows how boring they can be.
Old Indie feel, classic rock beat, definitely sounds like 70s rock not bad.
Classic songs and lots of hits. Futuristic sounds
Pretty good album. Just What I Needed was my favorite, but other than that, not much I remember. Like the credits of some 80s movie. 5.5/10
I was surprised to find something that's so well regarded critically that I've genuinely never heard before. Like most art rock / New Wave, I thought it was nice enough but it didn't connect with me emotionally, no songs stood out especially.
I knew 6 songs. Good album
Popular songs like let the good times roll and just what I needed!
I thought I was going to like this a lot more than I did. I think the Cars are pretty much a Greatest Hits band and not all of those hits are all that great, although none of them are unpleasant.
Highlights: Good Times Roll; My Best Friend's Girl; Just What I Needed; Don't Cha Stop; Bye Bye Love; Moving In Stereo Lowlights: ---‐------------------------------------- This unironically may be a perfect album. Loved every song, but the ones above were the standouts.
Great album. Feels really fresh, and no bad songs
I loved every song on here, even the ones I didn’t already know. Really enjoyable! Pop/rock, with a quirky sense to it.
Decent background music
The Cars is surprisingly catchy and easy to enjoy. The songs are tight, melodic, and full of clear hooks, which makes the album feel familiar even on a first listen. “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Just What I Needed” especially stood out. Both immediately reminded me of Weezer, particularly the sound of Weezer (The Blue Album). Later I noticed that Ric Ocasek produced that album, which suddenly made the resemblance make perfect sense.
I do quite like new wave but this didn't grip me as much as I was expecting?
Good Times Roll - 3.5/5 My Best Friend's Girl - 4.5/5 Just What I Needed - 4/5 I'm in Touch with Your World - 3/5 Don't Cha Stop - 3.5/5 You're All I've Got Tonight - 3.5/5 Bye Bye Love - 4/5 Moving in Stereo - 3/5 All Mixed Up - 3/5
- Really enjoy the hits - they're fun and have great hooks. - Some interesting instrumentation, especially in "I'm In Touch With Your World". - Some fun guitar riffs throughout, though I didn't love the thin tone. - The keys were kind of annoying, especially in the song "Bye Bye Love". The tone is often too tinny, filtered, or fake horn or organ-like, and I find them pretty cheesy at times. - The album is really front loaded with the hits, and the middle of the album falls off quite a bit until Moving in Stereo (though again those dated keys).
So many fantastic songs on this album but overall it felt very simple and I found I was losing attention to it. It’s by no means a bad album I think it was just a lot of the same vibe and chord progressions. The songs themselves I would listen to many again but the album as a whole I probably wouldn’t
I forgot how good Good Times Roll is. The second half of the album is soooo mid compared to the first. Although Moving in Stereo was a cool song. I love when music shifts ear to ear. Idk, because of the duds just ended up feeling middle of the pack.
Fine album, a lot of "o yeah that song" songs
Imposible estar de mal humor escuchando este álbum
Some pretty standard early 80s (‘78) stuff. Found myself wanting more earnestness or stronger expressions. Some discordant and out of place sounds, especially with the electronic elements on here. Just not an album that I thought offered significant value. Faves: Best Friend’s Girl, You’re All I’ve Got Tonight, Bye Bye Love
So is this the Pixar Cars movie's soundtrack?
What a wonderful and fun album to listen to. 9/10
MOR AOR with some synths and a hint of alternative music and new wave vocals. Bit lame but is what it is. 2.6.
Not too bad. Inoffensive. Added Just What I Needed which i hadn't heard before
Surprisingly Queen coded in parts. Not great, not terrible.
Hits aside it didn’t do that much for me. I am definitely a “Best of The Cars” kind of guy.
Énorme déception. Honnêtement, l'album n'est pas horrible mais presque aucun son n'as retenu mon attention alors que je les ai tous écouté deux fois. Je crois que c'est le premier album duquel je ne retiens presque rien tellement il m'a paru insipide. J'avais quand même quelques attentes, étant donné que l'album reste plutôt populaire, mais là, tout c'est écroulé.
The impeccable production on this album made it a 5 for me
The second half is much better than the first. It is on a line between classic rock and what would soon be known as new wave.
I have loved this album since I was a kid. Perfect mix of synth and rock guitar. Over half of these songs still get regular airplay on radio. There's a bar band out there right this second singing "Just What I Needed".
Absolute classic. The hits are outstanding, and the non-hits are also outstanding. Friggin’ LOVE this record.
Might as well be a Cars greatest hits album.
good stuff
very bathroom at a bar thats overpriced but has graffiti everywhere music. also I was hoping my 666th album would be cooler
This might as well be called *The Cars Greatest Hits* with "Good Times Roll", "My Best Friend's Girlfriend", "Just What I Needed", "You're All I've Got Tonight", *and*... the one that gives me daydreams of Phoebe Cates, "Moving In Stereo"! Honestly this one a banger from first note to last! (10/10) ★★★★★ "Doesn't anybody f'king knock anymore?"
Nice songs, it just doesn't fully connect with me. 3.5 stars
I'v always waffled between 4.5 and 5 on this, but half the songs are just all time classics. And outside of "I'm in Touch With Your World", the deeper cuts are good too. I think it's kind of a cool mix of new wave, classic rock, and power pop. I think I might actually prefer Benjamin Orr as a vocalist, but Ric Ocasek has a cool quirky vibe too. Highlights for me are "Good Times Roll", "Best Friend's Girl", "You're All I've Got Tonight", "Moving in Stereo", and of course "Just What I Needed", which is on my shortlist for greatest song of all time. 5 stars.
The Cars are The Cars. You drive ‘em on the left, drive ‘em on the right. Susceptible to theft in the middle of the night.
Eu confesso que conhecia por nome algumas músicas de "The Cars", mas não tive a sensação de já tê-las escutado. Eu gostei bastante do começo do álbum e até acreditei que acabaria dando uma nota alta para ele, mas infelizmente ele me perdeu completamente a partir da metade. Algumas músicas são boas, mas nada além disso. Para além, achei interessante a estética da capa e acho que ela me levou a pensar em um álbum diferente do que eu acabei escutando. Tendo dito isso, minha nota é 2,5/5, mas aqui deixarei 3/5. Os destaques ficam para o trio de músicas que abre o álbum e me fez #empolgar: Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl; e Just What I Needed.
Honestamente, achei um album bem esquecível. Escutei duas vezes e nenhuma musica me marcou. A parte final do album me empolgou um pouco mais, mas nada demais 2.5/5
Está bien, está ok, pero no me sorprendió mucho. Sí el año. Buen sonido para 1978. 4/10
I understand why this is an important album, but a lot of the songs sounds very similar, especially the choruses.
me encantó
Fun 35 min, mais pas de coup de coeur ni de highlight
не мое честно говоря
🧿: Los miembros bromeaban con nombrar este disco (su disco debut) como "The Cars' Greatest Hits", y el tiempo, de alguna forma, les dio la razón. El sonido se siente clásico, divertido. Digno representante del new wave. 🎶 🥇: All Mixed Up ⭐: 8/10
this was good!
honestly not bad
some catchy songs but a littttlee boring 😪 just what i needed was my fav
Love this.
Hit after hit to start the album. A lot to love here, great classic rock. Let down by one or two duds (looking at you, "I'm in touch with your world" and your goofy circus music)
Fun, infectious album. The lyrics can interesting & quirky when they ain't being horn dogs. His voice is fine but it can be grating over a long period. They like to do fun things with the synth. Normally, I don't like that sound but they use it in a way that works quite well at times. The cheesy of the synth does rear its head but not enough. The harmonies are good too. 4
Already knew this was a great album, had 6/9 tracks saved. The other tracks were probably filler for a reason, but overall pretty solid. Parts of it scream 80s, and others are timeless. Always worth the relisten
Is this a Jojo reference?
N-o fost așa rau
Álbum divertido e com um espírito desafiador. Pula Unicrom.
Sonaaaaaaaaa! Hahaha
Soso I like 2 or 3 songs at the beginning
It's damn near perfect. Half of the songs here have lived rent free in my head since I was like 10. My first ever cassette I owned back in the mid 90s was The Cars greatest hits, so basically half this album. Even the first track's name perfectly sums up what's about to happen. Let the good times roll! 10/10
genialazo
Es divertido pero no podría escucharlo muchas veces, mi canción favorita es Moving in Stereo
Very nice album. A great prelude to the 80’s ahead. Just What I Needed a great track! 8/10
Un sonido abierto, relajado y los coros son un buen toque. Bastante disfrutable.
It was quite enjoyable, a rock album the experimented with some eclectic instruments and seemed to embody a cool, casual vibe
4/5 liked it sm
3/5
4/5 A great album that lead to an incredible catalog of songs in the following decade. Favorite tack: Just What I Needed
Needs an MOT
Hits! Hits after hits
Music from graduate school days…the Cars were big back then. This is their debut album, and essentially it’s a greatest hits album. I know seven of the nine tracks, as they all had frequent radio play. Maybe they had a good publicist or agent. Lots of good memories for me.
Just what I needed! I would have guessed this was 80s. Ocasek has a fairly unique voice (even though there are a couple others like it); Orr has a pretty generic voice (but I can't think of any quite like it). Mostly, I enjoyed listening. Would be a 3.5 on a scale with .5s. Silly quote re: 'My Best Friend's Girl': "Ocasek later said the lyrics were not inspired by any personal incident, saying "Nothing in that song happened to me personally. I just figured having a girlfriend stolen was probably something that happened to a lot of people."" Oh??? Was it??? Riff ranking: 'Just What I Needed' (highlight) > 'Yummy Yummy Yummy' > 'Stacy's Mom' Minor syntactic intrigue: "Always it's some other guy", "she never leaves on the light" Unrelated meta comment: I'm so glad there's now a button to read random reviews! Dreams do come true!
Great song after great song, so well produced too.
Excellent album
Let the good times roll... a classic.
A bit if early new wave, just what I needed!
Decent would listen again
1978, and Punk Rock was just past its peak, New Wave was in control, electronic pop was beginning to find its feet, and NWOBHM was starting to become a monster. And The Cars released this album of corporate pop sludge. I've now listened to it twice, and while it's not offensive it still seems so darn mid.
I enjoy this I feel like parts of this album would come from the 90s
amazing record, some absolute bangers, dad rock essential
200226 18:02 3.5
Not my cup if tea
3 Stars (8/15)
Enjoyable, lots of of tracks I know, I will likely listen to it again, but it is not particularly memorable album and is unlikely to go in my regular rotation.
Average , a couple of good uns
what a very mid album some iconic songs from movies but none of these songs are in the iconic CARS movie which is a missed oppurinity.
Такой классически-старый рок - совсем не мое
Only listened to the first half
Another album I don't hate but I don't love either.
Similar to what I wrote about Van Halen's, the Cars' debut album contains a number of the group's career hits. Granted, not sure what that says about the body of their work as a whole if most of their hits came from their very first album, but I still consider the Cars a respectable group in the classic rock sphere that did have several hits later on. But back to rating this album, it's a very strong debut. As a casual Cars fan, it has everything I like about them: catchy hooks, that distinct guitar tone, Ric Ocasek's voice that makes those melodies and hooks pop even more. And lastly, Moving in Stereo is just flat out awesome. Top tracks: Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed, Moving in Stereo
I dig the Cars and always thought Ric Ocasek did a lot of good for the music world. Of all of the FM radio classic rock titans, I think the Cars are a bit underappreciated. As far as debut albums go, you can't really ask for much more than this. Couple of big hits and generally, the music has stood the test of time.
Keep trying to get into the full thing but my brain really only latches onto Moving in Stereo which is awesome. The first three tracks are unfortunately subject to death by 10000 plays but the actual construction of them is really impressive. A great synthesis of 70s power pop, think Big Star, and early new-wave stylings. Had I never heard any song from this album before, I'd bump it with some regularity. As for the world I live in, I'm pretty sure there is always at least one commercial in regular rotation that's playing Just What I Needed or Good Times Roll. Favorite Tracks: Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, Bye Bye Love, Moving in Stereo
No. 361/1001 Good Times Roll 3/5 My Best Friend's Girl 4/5 Just What I Needed 5/5 I'm in Touch with Your World 3/5 Don't Cha Stop 3/5 Your're All I've Got Tonight 4/5 Bye Bye Love 4/5 Moving in Stereo 4/5 All Mixed Up 5/5 Average: 3,89 Wow, the first New Wave album I liked. I especially liked the guitar here. Nice songs all around.
80
I thought I would enjoy this more than I actually did (though it's still a solid album). It's a little more B52s than I would have liked, without actually sounding too much like the B52s. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Some of the songs are great. Some are just kinda there. It's not a bad album not a one hit wonder band either. Not sure it holds up as well now compared to when it was released, but a decent listen.
not my vibe
I'd forgotten how many memorable songs were on this album. The Cars were a pretty solid band.
Jumped around and listened to 20 seconds of each song. Not my vibe. I did recognize Just what I needed.
I like the cars… but they are not I regular rotation. Good background music.
Excellent! The Cars are legends for a reason. 9/10 Outstanding
Not too shabby, but I can’t take this seriously.
Another strange inclusion, nothing notable. Fave track: Just What I Needed
Some decent new wave bangers here imo. 3/5
Just What I Needed is catchy but cheesy. The rest is just cheesy.
ass je album slabo pocne, mozda se malo poboljsaa kasnije ovo ti bukvalno dodje kao roditelj corporate muzike ne znam nekako prosto nema dusu
Nice powerpop album. Not overly keen on most of the songs, but Just What I Needed and You’re All I Got Tonight are great tracks. Thankfully, it’s short, as an album of this genre should be, so I get tempted to revisit immediately
An absolutely excellent pop album. The hits are still great, and the non-singles are still a lot of fun. 4.5 stars!
Britpop but it's American. Wauw, groundbreaking
3.5⭐️/5 02.11.2026
Might have been revolutionary in its time, I don't know. But.... yawn.
At first, I was like ENOUGH OF THIS CORNY 70s STUFF!!! But then I was begrudgingly toe tapping and then ultimately, come the second half of the album, it kind of rocked. Favorite song: Bye Bye Love
A quirky album with most of the songs in heavy rotation on FM radio in the late 70's. Easy to get into and offers somewhat better listening than some of the other offers at that time.
Enjoyable throughout, though the slower song or two stuck out and weren’t as good. Liked almost every song.
The album starts out super strong! I was surprised by all the songs I knew.
2/10/26 - listened on way to work. Four out of the nine tracks are all timers. This one gets five stars. Best Song - Your all I’ve got tonight
Veel van de nummers voelen alsof het middelbare scholieren zijn die bij het keyboard in het muzieklokaal de voorgeprogrammeerde geluidseffecten hebben gevonden. De klapeffecten en de fluitjes vond ik niet leuk. De rock voelt vaak voorspelbaar maar wordt soms afgewisseld door een misplaatste leuke synthesizer. Sommige stukjes zijn wel goed hoor maar het is te wisselvallig om het een goed album te laten zijn. Ik twijfel tussen 1 of 2 sterren. Maakt ook niet echt uit, het was niet leuk.
Je kan prima doodgaan zonder dit album ooit te luisteren. Er zijn albums die je moet luisteren zodat je weet dat het niet voor jou is, zelfs dat is deze ook niet. Het is erg saai en op momenten bijzonder dom en bij vlagen irritant. Je oren gaan niet persee bloeden maar geluid uit is aangenamer. Je hoeft het album niet een tweede keer te luisteren voor een second opinion. Puntje voor de cover, en de colab met de jostiband op het nummer i'm in toch with your world is dan ook wel weer sympatiek.
Beetje te poppie, happy de peppie. Klinkt een beetje als talking heads maar dan niet vet. Tis allemaal erg veilig en binnen de lijntjes, waardoor het niks opvalt en het geheel vrij vlak is.
This is a solid album. It sounds good and I don’t really have any complaints. A lot of the songs sound like they would be featured in a 90s rom com and I can hear how this sound would influence later songs. Personally, this isn’t something that I would seek out or listen to regularly, so it’s like fine for me.
Very good album
Power Pop never reached these heights again, until Ocasek produced the first Weezer album!
Niet helemaal mijn ding.
Despite being a fan of the period and the genre, I did not know them at all. Slick new wave sound, I like it.
Bland but good vibes!
Fun throw back album, a little over long at times but appreciated.
Two back to back banging albums, this site knows me <3
Inte min favorit. Fina körer stundtals men mestadels tråkigt.
Bara nokkuð ágæt. Spurning hvort að stjörnugjöfin færi upp í 4 ef ég myndi hlusta í annað skiptið...
a couple of great songs, plus i love love love the cover art. most of the songs kind of sounded the same to me, but the album had an overall good feel
7/10
Solid listen. Not my cup of tea, but such a nostalgia trip. Became quite repetitive at times.
Not my bag
Cue Phoebe Kates coming out of that pool …
Its so basic in my opinion. Nothing special, liked only second and last song tho
I feel like I'm 16 again... this album acts as a fountain of youth for me. It never gets old. When I still had a "My Favorite Albums" list, back when I didn't listen to 10 albums a day (on a typical day), The Cars was always in the top 20, and I think if I updated that list today... it would probably still be there. The Cars has that youthful energy that makes anyone feel like a rebellious teenager, and it has the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" seal of quality. 5 stars.
Good album, couple of hits and some solid pop/rocky songs
While not as fast as The Planes, or even The Trains, The Cars are the most convenient way to get around. This album makes a good roadtrip soundtrack on The Highway.
Very, very strong album. No weak tunes. 4.8
This is one of the rare no skip albums. Every single song is incredible. It starts with “Let the Good Times Roll” and ends with possibly the best 3 song combo ever in “Bye Bye Love”, “Moving in Stereo” and “All Mixed Up”
Solid B+; holds up pretty well; sounded very MODERN (and fresh), when it came out; 1st 3 songs very strong; song 1 (Good Times Roll) was the "class song" for my graduating class, in my senior year (1979-80); song 3 was a song that I remember my college friends and I talked about performing together (we never did, but I still think of that when I hear it, and take a stab at singing it); #4 less substantial (but ok, for an album); by around songs 5 & 6, I'm starting to wonder: do the songs start to sound kind of the same, after a while? I guess you could say that The Cars had a sound, *their* sound, and it was a pretty darn good sound, very much OF their time, but also at the cutting edge of their time; #7 is good; #8 is the "deep cut" that wasn't a hit, but I remember that some of my friends liked it a lot (I like it, too) - kinda trippy, and catchy, too; #9 is similar to #8, in being maybe a little deeper (less obviously a catchy pop hit song); together, 8 and 9 help to make the album a stronger ALBUM, and not just a string of catchy (but maybe a little lightweight) pop songs.
Very on-the-downbeat, Caucasian, milquetoast music. They executed the idea well and I'm sure it had its place in the history of pop, but it doesn't do much for me Well-written songs, not to my taste. I bet they sound great in a car
Bland and shallow
fav tracks: just what I needed Ich mags aber es ist nicht soo außergewöhnlich
There is a vibe
It's okay. I feel like with a couple more relistens, I'll love it. I give it a 6/10 for now. Gives off late 80s-early 90s rock.
I LOVE NEW WAVEEEEE!!!!!
too rock for me, with some questionable lyrics
First three tracks: 10/10, no notes. I had high hopes for the rest of the album, but it went way downhill.
I knew I’d like this knowing the first 3 tracks. Forgot that the whole first side is great. Side 2 lags a little in comparison but overall a wonderful debut album. Love the production, catchy songs with great hooks, quirky instrumentation that works. 4.5 rounded up.
I saw a review on this site that says this album “starts slow.” I try not to judge too harshly, musical taste is subjective, etc., but come on. Three straight pop classics to kick this off. Unless that person literally means “the first 29 seconds of good times roll are a slow, gripping build into a perfect pop song,” I don’t believe they actually think this starts slow. At one point in my life I made a list of tiny details in songs I really loved, and the part in “just what I needed” where the snare is on 1 and 3 was perhaps the inspiration for that list. And I always forget that I like “you’re all I’ve got tonight”, “moving in stereo”, and the chorus of “all mixed up” too. So, roughly, it’s three songs I love, three songs I like to varying degrees, and three songs I think are meh. That’s probably a four.
Great album. A few uninteresting songs in the back half keep it from being a five.
Was alright
Great album
neat
Impossibly catchy songs
This is like a greatest hits album. I'd give it a 7 out of 5!
goated
Poxa, gostei muito! New wave gostosinho e fácil de ouvir. Esse vai pra playlist.