Reviews (page 5 of 15)
Think of how good this could have been if every song was less than 2 minutes. Just quick, catchy jams. Oh well.
I enjoyed this more than I expected, especially the second half. The synths are so 80s, but so good and give the album a sense of magic. I'm hearing some cool guitar riffs that feel so common in the later skater boy punk rock 20-30 years later, like Sum41/Blink-182, especially in tracks "Just What I Needed" and "Bye Bye Love". Hands down the best track for me is "Moving in Stereo" - it's like punk psychedelic meets cheesy B-grade scifi films from the 60s/70s. This is a 3.5 for me, but rounding up. It's so 80s, but I'm hearing the sensibilities of pop punk that I adored in the early 200s.
Listen, I don't enjoy the sound of late 70s new wave / glam rock. It just is what it is. I am going to dislike Van Halen, Japan, Guns & Roses (which is glam **metal**), and I am going to dislike The Cars. That being said, I am going to bring my sunniest disposition to this jam sesh. Right off the bat, Good Times Roll - for the love of god pick a 6th word to say during this 225 second song. The album has some reclaiming moments - Just What I Needed has some cool sounds here, even if it is annoyingly repetitive. Bye Bye Love has a nice transition from You're All I've Got Tonight and is danceable. Moving in Stereo has a nice bridge where they let the album just bop for a bit without vocals, and All Mixed Up has a really nice sound, even if the lyrics are again uninspiring. It's these small touches that bumps this to a 2.
Much like any time I take a car and forget everything about the drive, I am aware of my time with The Cars but cannot really tell you anything about what happened during my time with The Cars.
I think that the biggest issue I have with this album is that at every opening I think the song is going to be Jesse's Girl, despite that song not being by The Cars. That is to say, the sound is fun, but a bit of the same after a while. Loved the guy who plays the guitar, and there's something to be sure about not having to strain to hear that the melody is supposed to be. Not always guaranteed in rock music
Good, but not super exciting
Everything is good on that album. I would not have guessed the year, it sounds way more modern!
A stone-cold classic. They sound so unique on this record. Elliot Easton once said that this record should be called "The Cars Greatest Hits" and that's pretty true. The guitar tones are iconic and their use of synths is brilliant.
Incredible pop album with infectious hooks
Kars sama
This is one of the greatest rock albums I've ever heard. Sure, there are New Wave influences, but this is a pure rock album. I can't believe I haven't listened to The Cars earlier. The singing is ok, the songwriting exceptional, but the musicianship is what stands out the most to me. This was an incredibly fun experience. 5/5
Too many bangers for one album
First three songs were fire
ori simgera moviwone
misturinha de altíssimo nível pqp bão demais seloco
gosto mto de new wave quando eh bem feita, bacaninha, guitarrinha e tecladinho/synth só na alegria e esse aqui felizmente eh desses!!!!!! eh um pouco a frente do tempo né, esses synth eh oitentista demais. DELÍCIA bão demais, escutarei mais vezes!!!
Ok, ja dit is wel een album hoor. Beetje new wave invloeden denk ik? Het klinkt gewoon heel erg 70s. Ik vind het best wel prima, maar moet ook eerlijk toegeven dat ik niet denk dat er iets echt gaat blijven hangen. Daarvoor is het allemaal iets te matig, maar dit is absoluut niet de slechtste manier om 35 minuten te besteden. Vermakelijk en een klein beetje fout, dat is toch wel het beste van de jaren 70 new wave bandjes. Wel grappig dat deze band een aantal nummers heeft met 100m> plays, en ik van eigenlijk alles nog nooit heb gehoord. Lekker dat die oudere albums gewoon kort zijn, makkelijk om in 1 keer te luisteren en kort genoeg dat je ze een 2e keer kan luisteren als je zou willen! Dat wil ik niet, maar het had wel gekund, en die keuzevrijheid.. Die waardeer ik! FAVO: Bye, bye love,
I know all these songs, though I didn’t know they were all on the same album. Still, these are borderline generic classic rock songs. Safe pop rock for young teens of the era.
It sounds like a best of, but it is in fact a debut album. The quality of this new wave power pop is top drawer. It's got hooks to hang your hat on but there is still enough little weird bits to keep it a tad strange (as all good pop music should be) so you come back for the tunes whether you want to sing along or just puzzle at what they were drinking. The main argument I can come up with against it is that it seems like a collection of songs rather than an album, but I guess in this day and age, streaming kind of killed that idea of album unification. Ho hum, it's still fucking great. Best Tracks: My Best Friend's Girl; Just What I Needed; Moving In Stereo
Retroactively saying that Abbey Road was 4 stars so this makes sense.
There were some fun bops in this one. I recognized a few of the songs, and the ones I didn't know felt compatible with the others. It's a fairly cohesive and upbeat album that was enjoyable enough. 6/10
Hot damn! A stone cold classic front-to-back. Don’t Cha Stop is my least favorite but it’s still really fun! And the seamless run of the last 4 tracks is INSANE work
Pop-rock perfection Catchy songs with great production Moving in Stereo has been my personal favorite track, but the album is filled with hits
#21/1001 🇺🇸🚘 Woweee. I didn't know anything about The Cars before i heard this but its blown me away. When i started out on this, I promised myself there would only be a handful of 5 star albums and i definitely wouldnt just dish them out to anything i didn't already love but this is damn near close.
I enjoyed this more in feeling like a 7/10
nothingburger of an album to me. everything sounded the same and nothing was particularly interesting. i kinda find the dude's voice to be kind of grating, sorry! just not my thing
The beginning of this album is amazing. A few weirder songs on here than I was expecting. But over all great classic 80s album.
fineh 2
Spodziewałam się czegoś lepszego. Bardzo lubię tę ich słynną balladę a zamiast tego dostałam taki nudny, lekki rock. Nie razi, ale też nie kręci. 6/10
Only knew the single from this album - My Best Friend's Girl - and would say that it sets a standard that's pretty consistent across the whole album. Having said that, it's not a great standard. Pretty average post punk US pop, pleasant enough. Occasional reminders of bad rock guitar sounds (a bit like Rush). Not really my thing and difficult to believe anyone would get too excited about it. Good enough of it's type I suppose.
This didn’t do much for me. Middling, uninspired, radio-friendly rock with poor synth inflexions. There are some relatively catchy tunes, but it also feels like the prototype for the worst of ’80s MTV synth-rock, so it definitely loses a point for that.
It was an interesting blend of familiar sound, in a package I've never heard before.
Boston-level self-titled debut. Despite the fact the two biggest tracks are very similar, the album travels far and wide while keeping a distinctive sound and songwriting style. *Most* of the songs were long lasting hits. I wouldn't call it New Wave because it sounds like classic guitar-driven rock, with synths. And it's one of the best classic rock albums.
First three tracks are classic, on the radio all of the time. The rest is forgettable. Not sure why this is a special album, other than the amount of radio play the first three tracks get. Does that make this album worth the inclusion on the list??
Oh boy howdy do I sure love this album! I grew up listening to their greatest hits album and it’s crazyyyy how many songs on there are from this album (6 of the 9 btw) They really know how to write a tight, melodic, pop rock song. Moving in stereo is my fav on this album and one of my fav cars songs period
I hadn’t listened to this album in a long time. Amazing.
Nothing especially terrible, nothing especially impressive. Nice that the album was only 35 minutes
Peak nostalgia
Listened Before: Yes I love The Cars Playlist Add: Good Times Roll
4 5
Solid rock album, I really enjoyed it. “All Mixed Up” is the only song I didn’t enjoy. 4/5
i like it
Maybe the most classic rock radio album out there. I didn't think that I knew anything by The Cars, but turns out I have already heard a lot of this on the radio over the years. Pretty catchy and certainly not bad, with a nice strong finish to the album to boot.
First album, and I know it pretty well. I will listen later tonight, but I like The Cars, and I know my favorite songs of theirs are on this album.
All killers no filler. I hear a whole lot of Queen in this album!
In my top 10!
One of the best debut albums ever. Every song on here is a classic. They released many good albums after this but this remains their best. These guys helped to start the entire New Wave genre.
An amazing album through and through, every song on it really hits hard. I’m torn between a four and a five, all the songs feel like pop hits, but I don’t know if I’m gonna actively listen to this again, being the genre of music. But I admit it’s a very amazing album.
1001’s been on a hot streak lately Really liked this album, Just What I Needed is an all time fav of mine and for the most part liked everything else I heard. There’s a couple songs that weren’t it but I can look past that. 35 mins is also a crazy short runtime. Definitely a little unpolished at times (which makes sense for how early in their career it was) but just a solid album all around
im in touch with your world is like,,, one of the worst songs ive ever heard.
If you gave me 20 guesses, I STILL would have never guessed that The Cars were from Boston. Always figured a California vibe, but that's probably just based on the New Wave sound. This album is from the Golden Age of leather jackets and skinny ties, and I'm here for it. After listening, I'm amazed how NOT dated this album is. It could go toe-to-toe with anything coming out today Great opening track, love that. Good Times Roll is a great opener, especially on a debut album. Followed by My Best Friends Girl and Just What I Needed, could be one of the great 3-song openers on any debut album. Couple slow ones and off-brand ones probably keep me from giving a 5 star rating, but You're All I've Got Tonight and Bye Bye Love are classics. So I'm in the 4 to 4 1/2 range. A really good listen, great debut album.
This album is fun and nice to listen to, but nothing really struck out on it. The album just sounded like background noise and I couldn’t focus on it despite doing nothing at the time. I liked it, I just didn’t vibe with it entirely.
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. I just felt that 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 interesting 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. Did I need to listen to this before I die? Probably not, but I’m glad I did.
I knew a few songs, didn’t know they were from them, really great
I recognised more songs on that album than I expected, and I have no idea why.
😃
Não sei se gostei tanto por falta de atenção ou pelo album realmente não ter falado comigo. De todas as músicas, acho que Moving in Stereo foi a que mais curti. Com certeza preciso ouvir novamente esse álbum em um dia e ambiente mais tranquilo.
Гарний альбом під роботу і вчорашній настрій. Але загалом не супер мій стиль.
Feels like old Weezer Nothing bad, just sounds like something Uma Thurman and John Travolta would be dancing to in Pulp Fiction Going from Just What I needed to I'm in Touch With Your World was rough Very much a pop-product of the times Feels like a drive-in theater
I found this album really interesting. I loved the retro and electronic synth rock of this album. Probably a 3 but I really like how it sounds.
Menevää poprockia! Ainoa syy, miksen nelosta anna, on se, että lisäkuunteluille ei jää kauheesti löydettävää. Just What I Need on kyllä kova ralli.
This seems like a greatest hits album. But it's their debut. They sound far into the future, the production and mixing is just soooo nice. It's catchy chorus after catchy chorus. I'm having a hard time even choosing a favorite. They all pop into my mind at once lile their pleading their case
Album has not one but two separate "three-song-runs" that are fantastic, two mediocre songs and I'd say only one dud with I'm in Touch with Your World. The Cars are a favorite of mine, I love their straightforward approach to songs and the attitude that exuded by the riffs and Rick Ocasek's voice. There's a reason all these songs show up in every movie between 75 and 85, the Cars capture the vibe of the 80s perfectly. 4.5 rounded up bc it's legit a favorite album of mine.
Another one of the best debuts ever....as far as I know, kind has all the Cars songs you need. "Just What I Needed", "My Best Friend's Girl", "Let the Good Times Roll"....another band making good , straight ahead 3 minute rock songs with good hooks, and Elliot Easton is a really interesting, tasteful guitarist. What happened to competent rock bands?
Got to be honest with myself and this review - but I liked that album more than I thought I would. Sure, I knew most of the songs. Sure, they are all overplayed (or at least were). But damn if it wasn't really good.
PPPP - Perfect Punch of Power Pop
haven’t listened to in a long time
Ihan ok, bowieta ja talking headsia häivähdyksiä
#246/1001. As I was around 17-18 I was in to punk and the Ramones. Someone recommended me the Cars, since their music was similarly simple (as far as I remember). I tried and didn't like them at all ...I didn't like Ramones because they were simple, I liked them because they were punk. 35 years later I usually prefer late 70s-80s new wave over Ramones. But the Cars don't really ring my bell, the simplicity is now just mainly boring, radio friendliness is for me a curse word, this is just aor masked as a new wave entity, one ear in, one out. Just what I needed - more than a feeling?
"The Cars" is the debut studio album by American rock band the Cars. New wave, power pop and synth-rock are the Wiki-listed genres. Oh yeah. The album was then known for using a large amount of contemporary technology. The bandmembers included Ric Ocasek (vocals, rhythm guitar), Elliot Easton (lead guitar, backing vocals), Benjamin Orr (vocals, bass), David Robinson (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Greg Hawkes (keyboards, percussion, saxophone, backing vocals). Commercially, the album reached #18 on the US Billboard 200 and #29 in the UK. It was critically well-received and, in 2024, was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. A slow edgy guitar riff opens the album in "Good Times Roll." Ocasek on lead vocals, sarcastically commenting on rock's ideas of good times. The band kicks in with a slow jam. Loud backing vocals and synth highlights. Right away, a unique sound blending elements of classic hard rock and new wave. Another classic guitar riff with handclaps begins "My Best Friend's Girl." Layered guitars, bouncy keys and 60's-ish guitar solo. Overproduced? Yes. Catchy? Absolutely. The first released single was "Just What I Needed." Ticking guitar notes with guitar slashes and drum pounds. Benjamin Orr on vocals. A more rockin' backbeat. Weird, eerie synth fills separate this from the rest. Echoing and building drums open the second side and song "You're All I've Got Tonight." A distorted guitar riff. Ocasek declaring "I don't care if you even the score" since she's all he's got tonight. Excellent guitar fills and sounds by Easton. There are two songs in my world where the song is defined by a movie scene (or vice versa). The first is Steelers Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle" in "Reservoir Dogs." Of course. And the second is "Moving in Stereo" in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." Oh, Phoebe! A Rush "2012" swirling synth, an evil sounding guitar and Ocasek with shaky vocals. The band comes in ominously. Video game and string-like synths. Dreamy, eerie. A classic. Right near the top of their catalog. The album combine elements of hard rock, power pop, new wave and synth pop yet never fully going in one direction. They're almost their own genre. You could surely argue that this album and their sound is overproduced; there's a lot going on with the layered guitars and synths, loud backing vocals, handclaps and various percussion but there's an edge to their sound and the songs are so strong and catchy that they overtake and supersede anything negative. Hit after and hit and the non singles are probably played more today and are better than the released singles. One of the best albums of that time frame and still sounds amazingly fresh. Their next album, "Candy-O," is just as good if not better. A very high recommendation.
eh it was alright
listened to greatest hits and recognized many songs, enjoyed it with my dad
Enjoyed this, it was fun!
I don’t know why I always thought this album was from the early 90s. The cover really looks like it could belong to a grunge or punk record. Musically, though, it’s very much rooted in the 70s. It often reminds me of artists like Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and even the Dutch group Doe Maar, especially on songs like “My Best Friend’s Girl.” There are some genuinely great tracks here. “Just What I Needed” isn’t a complex song at all, but it’s incredibly catchy and has a great groove. I might be mixing things up, but I clearly hear Brian Eno and David Bowie influences on tracks like “I’m in Touch with Your World.” That said, there are a few things I don’t love about the mixing and instrument choices. The worst example is “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight,” which leans way too hard on the same synth chord repeating through almost the entire song. Really cool album, I will listen to it again. 8/10.
Disjointed.
better than i expected. they kinda don't get a lot of credit for their sound.
Fucking insane new wave forerunner start to finish holy shit.
This album was a lot of fun, and I recognized a lot more songs off the album than I expected. I won’t say the album was amazing, but definitely a great listen. 4.25 / 5
Thought it was fine. There's definitely some merit in these songs; I can tell that they were influential, but nothing really stuck out to me.
no se que pensar, la primera canción me ha sonado un poco repetitiva, la segunda pues bueno, esta ya la estoy disfrutando un poco más. A lo mejor no estoy yo en el mood hoy. Pero me gusta la voz del cantante, o de los cantantes, no sé. Es que me recuerda muchísimo la voz del cantante a alguien, pero no se a quién. La verdad que no lo termine de escuchar, pero no sería un álbum que yo dijera: "me apetece escuchar este" de primeras, pero algunas canciones están muy bien. Le doy un 7.
This was enjoyable! This new wave/rock album has such good lyrics and fun pop sensibilities, that it was a treat. Sure, some tracks felt like they needed to be freed from the album, but perfection always is hard to attain, right? Stand out track: Just what I needed.
Iconic record, songs were great and memorable. It's a staple on rock and it's unique sound. Will keep it in rotation.
Great new wave album one of the best in the genre
Ric Ocasek is a piece of shit but I have always loved this album
Great album.
This is the best Cars album; it feels like every song on here is a hit. ‘Just What I Needed’ is a tight, sweet, very human love song. 'All Mixed Up' is a great closer. The album as a whole is witty and inventive, but accessible. I've met all sorts of people who love the Cars, and I'm happy this one is in my collection. Absolutely 5 stars.
All the hits. Great band, great album. What's not to love?
The album is filled with classics. It was just what I needed.
Fine power pop
I only naively knew The Cars by the excellent single Drive, and then after hearing this album feel a little foolish on how the Cars were massively prolific prior to that hit and quite a "big deal". No disputing their success when you hear such familiar songs, and boy are they catchy, real poppy rock! But probably an album I'll never re-visit but hey, its an album I HAD to listen to before I've died!
Let the good times roll!!! This is a version of Queen I can get on board with. With same producer as some of Queen's records, it's not surprising that they sound a little bit like Queen in some places However despite this fact, I immensely enjoyed this record. It was happy, experimental, fun and above all funny (it's my best friend's girl, she used to be mine). Sad, funny, ironic and catchy as hell. With a great 34 minutes in length, I found myself playing this over and over again. I'd love to get this on vinyl if I come across it. 4.5 stars from me.
It's wild that the first three tracks were huge hits. My favourites were the last two songs.
Roliga ornament genom albumet och stämsång på vissa låtar. Det var ett varierat sound, några lugna och andra mer fart i sig. Just what I needed var lowkey banger, med bra solo och backup-vocals o rolig syntmelodi i bakgrunden. Roligt när de switchar upp trummorna på ett sätt som inte är predictable. 6/10
Some really great classic songs on this debut album! Nice complexities, good production balance, overall really good. This one benefits from the lack of half-stars because it just reaches 4.5/5 for me
Pretty mixed for me. The first half of the album was a really fun listen, but got a bit more mixed as it went on.
I didn't realise I knew the first few tracks from the radio. I think they're supposed to be New Wave but overall the album was very listenable but also a bit boring. Some good tracks but nothing dynamic for me. Vocals reminded me of David Byrne and generally they sound like a bland Talking Heads. But not bad.
oh das isch fun. sie chlnd melodie und sie chönd gitarresound. und HARMONIES! sehr nice die erste zwei songs. just what i needed isch huuuere geil. tönt biiitz moch pop punk aber de refrain isch wieder richtig guete glamrock irgendwie. gitarretone isch peak. super. dont cha stop sehr goofy aber immerno fun? gitarresolo super. ich ha meega spass.
LIEBS albumcover okaay han jz meh spass als ich denkt han d backgroundvocals findi recht cool und iwie ischs na e lustigi mischig us ichweissnödgenauwas? I'm in touch eith your world isch zwar schochli quirky aber hans recht lustig gfunde glaub d giti isch punkiger alsi denkt han? wnl han überhaupt nümme zueglost aber hans cool gfunde? aber es git glaub gad nomal e rundi JAAA e form vo pop-punk macht iwie mega sinn, danke luca moving in stereo isch jz nöd megaaa mis ding aber würkt uf mich recht sinere ziit voruus? nvm iwie ischs na cool mite synthis, sehr groovy all mixed up wieder die bgvs OEEEEFFFFFF ohaa die sind ja grösser uf spotify als ich denkt hett, 7.3 mio. monatlichi hörer:inne isch stabil es isch würkli en knappe zwüsche 4 und 5 also rein vo mim vergnüege her findis glaub es 4i aber wills doch öppis speziells isch woni eso glaub nanie ghört han wirds vlt es 5i? ES DRITTS MAL ok ja bin bi just what I needed
banger, heavy energy!
Fun, familiar songs. I can see why the ones that aren't familiar didn't make it to the radio. But I kind of like the weirdness.
All bangers
Ric Ocasek looks like Abraham Lincoln transported through time. Album rips.
I really like this one. I can decently hear how this one is transitioning into that 80s genre of music you think of when you think of 80s, so I can see how this inspired many others. I like how fun and colorful it is!
oh i love it tbh its very very good and one thing about this playlist is that its not gonna be pleasing to the average listener its really not anything special tbh its just very raw and that makes it unique
Lots of classics on here, but nothing that felt like a hidden gem
Just What I Needed is the only thing preventing a ⭐ here. Maybe the years have not been kind to this record but it feels like it's bordering on parody at times.
7/10 – good
Quite nice, energetic, but not super special
Un petit côté Queen
Really liked this album, it reminds me of high school. I can really hear the transition between the decades in this album. Its a fun relaxing album, reminds of warm weather.
Short, upbeat, and catchy. I have heard Just What I Needed before and wasn’t super pumped when this album popped up, but ended up being pleasantly surprised.
I definitely own this one. so many great songs. "Good Times Roll", "Just What I Needed", "dont-cha stop", and my personal favorites, "Best Friend's Girl" and "Moving in Stereo". Seriously, as a kid of the 80's, the "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" scene with "Moving in Stereo" being played in the background will be forever burned in my memory until the day i die (Phoebe Cates....yummy). I love, love, love this album. I play it frequently. "here she comes again, dancin' neath the starry sky....."
Oh man. If I made a Shawn Top 100 albums of all time, this one would be a Top 20. Everything about this album is great. Each song is amazing. And they even ushered in a whole new genre doing it. The guitars, drums, keyboard, his voice, all awesome. Catchy songs, intricate yet simple. Each one can get stuck in your head.
I forgot how much i liked this alblum. Remembered all the songs. Found myself singing (badly) to all the songs. Brought back fond memories of friends and good times. This album is one of the best debut alblums ever. I feel forced to give a 5 star rating.
I forgot how great this album was. I really underappreciated song is all mixed up. This album rocks from top to bottom and is definitely worthy of a five star grade.
4.8/5 great album mayb one or two songs i’d do wo but in the context of the album great
будь я римусом люпином в 70х мне бы оч понравилось, но а так не мое ((( звучание крутое бзв «my best friend’s girl» это про милевен + уилл или ))))
Classic 80’s pop rock! I love this LP! Chock full of hits !!
ok, 3
A few catchy songs, and I see why it's important, but it sounds very dated in 202
Wasn't really expecting much from this but found this really grew on me as I listened. A little on the poppier side of the kind of stuff I usually listen to, but some really great songs (especially towards the end of this)
Gostei mtoook e a capa linda linda linda
I was unaware of this album and band, so this made a fun introduction to the 1001 album project. I had a good time, but the music pales in comparison to the extremely gorgeous cover.
i loved this album
While I acknowledge this album has a lot of classic hits on it, I just find it exceptionally boring to listen to. Those hits were clearly meant to be listened to in isolation from one another.
Not bad, but not my vibe
It has all of the hits! What else do you want?
nicerock album loved it
Sounds like someone is heartbroken Fave song: Just What I Needed
Some fun riffs, but can't say a lot of songs really jumped out to me. Decent listen, some songs I'll probably play back individually but didn't really connect with the album in any real way.
I haven’t listened to the Cars in awhile. It was a fun revisit.
Pretty good! Very creative.
Great album! Opened with 3 popular songs I'd already heard many times before so I knew I'd be in for a treat. I also really loved Bye Bye Love.
I recognized these
Literally the sound of an era
Very middle of the road American rock.
One of their better albums.
It's so close to being a 5 but it's just not quite there. It's very good though
it isn't just that the songs are good or that so many of the songs are good (all of them), or that this is one of those flawless debut albums alongside Boston or Pearl Jam or Daft Punk or Nas, or that it contains the lyric "wisenheimer brainstorm". I can't easily think of another album where the instrumentals so perfectly fit together. Even "I'm In Touch With Your World"'s weird samples mesh with the synths, guitars, bass, vocals, and drums. These are layered and intricate songs that somehow sound like simple catchy pop songs. It's one of those albums that demands headphones but sounds just as good at full volume on the radio.
3.5
Inoffensive classic rocky type stuff.
😏
Would listen again. Fun hits and other songs were good too.
a few bangers but not suuper captivating
now this is an album i would probably come back to independently! added a few songs to the keeper playlist in earnest!
Es como si Tom Verlaine estuviese en The Talking Heads.
'80s but not, fun, iconic but not straight bangers. I've discovered there's value beyond the single.
Great but not my taste
this is total ass. going back to dave's picks 12
Didn’t get through the whole album but it’s solid
This one I was somewhat familiar with before receiving, classic rock, good guitars, can’t determine a fav song, I really like most of them
Ric and Ben 5/5 -1 for the guitar player
I listened to this twice for some reason and still can't form an opinion - T.
A real banger! Short and sweet!
#1-1089 , The Cars - The Cars , Debut Album by the band was nothing but a fascinating ride , Ric Ocasek's Or The Band's " brain " songwriting skills are very catchy and fresh despite the album being 48 years old . Benjamin Orr's smooth vocals are highlights of this album . The Cars were one of the firsts to adopt new technology ( also helps its never-aging feel of songs ) and they were great at it , nailing synth-sounds and cool-ish drum sounds . " Moving In Stereo " was a great radio-hit of great instrument use and also thanks to phoebe cates and fast times at ridgemont high . A Perfect-o! song was " Bye Bye Love " 'cause guitar tunes were groovy and fun , with sonic transitions peaked my interest towards this album . The Saxophone Solo In " All Mixed Up " was indeed a cherry on top moment . This album should've been named as " the cars greatest hits " because almost every song is worth listening more than multi-times. 8.75 / 10
It was not a bad listening, I liked it overall.
Un album pensé pour enchaîner les hits un peu à la thriller ; l’album repose sur des guitares ultra efficaces et des synthés discrets mais structurants. On est sur des thèmes très légers, sans prises de têtes type amourettes ; l’album ne se veut ni profond ni dénonciateur, il veut juste des hits. Néanmoins j’avoue que j’ai pas pris les hits dans la tête, et que j’ai trouvé les voix assez faibles. J’ai honnêtement pas été transcendé. Malgré tout gros big up à la cover qui est magnifique Un petit 3, plutôt 2.5 pour être honnête Chat : The Cars mélange rock, new wave et pop, avec des guitares nettes, des synthés discrets et une esthétique froide et moderne. Pourquoi l’album est important : Sorti en 1978, il a rendu la new wave accessible au grand public sans perdre son identité, tout en alignant un nombre exceptionnel de tubes pour un premier album. Il a servi de pont entre le rock des années 70 et la pop des années 80, influençant durablement le pop-rock et l’alternative.
Rien à signaler, écoute sympathique mais je n'y reviendrai pas forcément
In a way, this is the most New Wave–sounding New Wave album I have come across. Don’t get me wrong, I like it, but I also feel like there is just one weaker track too many for it to truly stand out.
Beige af
Good soup. "I'm in Touch with Your World" och "Don't Cha Stop" inte skitbra, 2/5. Resten är stabila 4/5 förutom "Just What I Needed" som är en 5/5 i mitt tycke!
An early new wave masterpiece. No skips. Favorite song: All Mixed Up
so ein harter slay!!
I enjoyed it and the music brings back fun memories, but this isn’t an album I would need to listen to on the regular.
Rad
I can get down with some Cars. Just looking at the tracklist, this album is stacked -- Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed, Bye Bye Love, You're All I've Got Tonight, and Moving in Stereo all get regular air time to this day on classic rock stations and commercials alike. Really only 3 songs on here I hadn't heard before and they're fine enough. Don't Cha Stop feels a bit like Devo, and I'm in Touch with Your World verges on psychedelic in tone -- more Talking Heads adjacent. Quite an impressive debut. Solid 4
A classic rock's classic rock album. Couple of timeless tunes in here. Feels like a high 3.
I am pretty sure I was introduced to The Cars from Just What I Needed being in a Circuit City commercial or something like that back in like 2003. Looking through this tracklist to start this just looks like it should be their greatest hits album. Made me think that they only made 1 album. Never listened to these songs with headphones on before, there is so much more going on in these songs than I ever knew with how many instruments are playing at the same time. The beginning clapping in Best Friend's Girl sounds like the clapping that happens when you play a game of cards in Final Fantasy 8. Moving in Stereo is such a cool song especially with it going into stereo sound back and forth from different headphones which I never caught. And I wish I always knew that it went straight into All Mixed Up, never heard that song before but was an awesome ending. Those 2 proggy songs to end the album were sweet. This was a completely unexpected 5, even though I knew all but 3 of the songs going into the album. Hearing them all together with headphones made this a whole new experience.
First 3 songs are the hits and for good reason. We all probably grew up listening to these whether we wanted to or not. Imo they’re all fantastic in their own way. Young Kev particularly loved Just What I Needed and it still slaps. You’re All I’ve Got Tonight is another jam, sounds like it shares some qualities with Good Times Roll. Moving In Stereo is a bit darker and I love it. While I’m not new to the Cars, I’m new to about half of this album and there isn’t a bad song on here. Sneaky 5 from me.
An all around terrific album. Another work that stands the test of time.
Voice reminded me of the Talking Heads
honestly didn’t really like it…kinda boring
starting with three bangers is iconic enough it doesn’t matter that they proceed in the exact same fashion
yeah it was ok
Genuinely a fun and interesting little album.
Some nostalgia here, this album takes me back to college in Dayton, Ohio, listening to this cassette in my '71 Mustang.. big thing in the 70's was to upgrade your rear speakers in cars and this upgrade did not disappoint. The guitar riffs laid out by the Cars were so new & clean for the time, as if they were inventing their own version of rock. Their best album, like many others, was their debut. They captured their own sound and American radio loved it. Takes me back to a carefree time, LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL became an anthem for American youth !
Out of the eleven tracks, six are timeless hits. Combined with 1984's "Heartbeat City," they've got a 48% hit rate. Those are definite Hall of Fame numbers. And now I can't hear "Moving in Stereo" without thinking of Phoebe Cates.
dnf. didnt like it. boring
Don’t own but fluent.
My favorite song was “You’re all if got tonight”. The album felt like a midnight ride in the 80s
So y'all are trying to put me onto my parents music??? Mmmk lol I didn't hate the music though
3/5
I like New Wave, but I haven’t spent much time with the Cars. I really liked the last track which, I’m not sure I had ever heard (“All Mixed Up”). I probably like this album as much as The last one and am struggling with how to rate.
J'aime bien My best friend's girl, don't cha stop et you're all I got tonight 😋
Favourite Songs: Don't Cha Stop Moving In Stereo
Not a lot to say here, just a very good album.
3A
Classic as hell. An instant classic anytime, but especially while driving or hanging with a girl. The cover is a classic too. I don’t know what it is about the Cars but they just hit the right grooves for me.
Overall a decent album offering lots of new-wave nostalgia. A few good hits, but otherwise the songs sounded a lot a like (especially towards the middle). Standout track: Moving in Stereo
I don't get the appeal, 1,5/5 for me.
First half is amazing. Second half. Snooze city.
-If you put on a skinny tie, pink blazer, and wayfarer sunglasses, this album autoplays. -These guys spent the late 70s inventing the sound of 80s pop rock. -Rock music has always been a useful tool for rizzed up nerds to get laid (see: Billy Joel, Steely Dan, Weezer, etc). The Cars are some all time great rock nerds. -Absolutely great power pop. An album I've been listening to for 20+ (!) years. Also, quite a bit weirder than I remember. Lots of quirked up herky jerky rhythms and moody Bowie-esque timbres underneath the palm muted power chords and rockabilly guitar solos. -Two years after this album came out, Ric Ocasek would go on the produce the second Suicide album.
Jolies mélodies, quelques titres sympas.,. Not bad !
346/1089 - It's some alright New Wave. Slightly better than Blondie. I think the Brits win this genre overall. Re-listened and some parts reminded me of Supertramp and XTC with the way the synths and guitars are used. It's growing on me!
Typically not a rock fan but really enjoyed some of these tracks, especially the opening ones. Personally, didn’t enjoy the last two songs that much and some of the tracks felt quite indistinguishable but it was a nice way to start this listening journey :)
A perfect blend of synth pop and hard rock. Love the bouncy atmosphere accompanied by cool guitar riffs. Fun from start to finish. The Cars are probably the best ‘New Wave’ band in my opinion. Standout Songs: Good Times Roll My Best Friend's Girl Just What I Needed I'm in Touch with Your World Don't Cha Stop Bye Bye Love All Mixed Up
If you took a New Wave / Post Punk band like, say Talking Heads or Psychedelic Furs, then sanded off all the edges and applied a high gloss polish, you'd end up with something like The Cars. They're the Post Punk Monkees. Perfectly crafted for FM radio and they're still being played today. If you want depth then head to "More Songs About Buildings and Food". If you want a party soundtrack then this is the one.
Lots of classic songs. More than I thought. Easy listening. Nothing super interesting. Wouldn’t listen again for a while. Nothing I’m dying to come back to.
Sometimes a great album isn't some epic concept album with deep lore and profound music and lyrical content, sometimes a great album is just a small collection of fantastic songs that work well together, and I think that is so well represented with this. Nothing crazy or particularly ambitious about it, just some amazing pop and rock songs all packaged in a fun and digestible way.
Tight album - a lot going on but really tight with the arrangements. Just What I Needed a particular highlight but a really strong album.
really good
Don't Cha stop, my favorite song. Good album, feel happy while listening, didn't pay attention to the lyrics tho
Let the good times roll. And the hits.
I didn’t buy it when it was released as I didn’t like it. I now played it 10 times back to back as it’s highly regarded just in case I was wrong. But I wasn’t. It’s rubbish. I like the sleeve though. Ron Coro – art direction Johnny Lee – design. Elliot Gilbert – photography
Very short and sweet. A bit unfortunate because I was just getting into it during the last 2 songs. The whole album seemed cool but a bit mediocre until Bye Bye Love, which I think is the best song on the album. It shows great promise after but it just fails to impress.
Might have been released in 1978, but this album was part of my soundtrack of 1993. Still love listening to "Moving in Stereo" in my car or headphones and marveling at the panning. Very few songs I was not familiar with (I'm in Touch with Your World, Don't Cha Stop, All Mixed Up) All Mixed Up
This may be the most '80s sounding thing there is, which is remarkable given that it came out in '78. "Moving in Stereo", along with "How Soon Is Now?", probably the most 80s sounding song there is, and I say that not just because of Fast Times. There are few bands that have a sound as clear and distinct as The Cars. The Wikipedia page categorizes them as, among other things, power-pop, which is about as close as you can get to putting them in a box. It gets the vocals right, some of the song structure, but even then it ain't quite right. They're The Cars! They make Cars music! The hits rule, just perfectly constructed pop-rock songs. The album sounds great. A couple deep tracks sag ("All Mixed Up" "I'm in Touch With Your World") and get a little too caught up in the synths and whatever. The album-closing sax solo is totally out of place, but very much of its time. These quibbles are more than made up for by what a jam "Bye Bye Love" is, not to mention, well, pretty much every other song on the album.
Not my favorite genre, but it's cool to learn new styles and train my ear so 6.5 out of 10
Repetitivo
Not bad. Better than most of the others from the 70s, actually.
This was fun. 3.5
pop
Fun album from my youth, I had a few cars 7” records back in the day. 3.5 stars
Amazing synth work.
Fajny album, chłopaki ciekawie grają, mają przyjemne brzmienie. W zasadzie każdy kawałek jest spoko i buja. Mnie chyba "Moving in Stereo" najbardziej zapadł w pamięć. Za każdym razem, kiedy leciał, to zwracałem na niego większą uwagę. Czy będę wracał? Pewnie nie, bo za dużo jest albumów z tego okresu i z relatywnie podobnym brzmieniem. Ale zasługuje na sympatię, to kawał fajnego rocka. 7/10
Like a more mainstream talking heads. I enjoyed this one
Fun pop - very ‘of its time’.
Probably the most interesting album I've listened to yet. It's a bit all over the place, with some bits sounding like The Who from the early 70s and other bits sounding like they'd fit in with 90s music (album came out in 78). Overall quite fun
особо не зашло, но без негатива.
This album was really good especially making me feel more with the 1970s - 80s rock. This is a great album for a road trip with wind blowing and a sun setting.
Super catchy, impeccably produced, classic “New Wave” power pop. Ocasek bests this effort ONLY in his production work on the first Weezer!
nice, really good vibes, perfect rocky ish vibes but nothing insanely good all sounded the same
Pretty average. Best song is obviously Just what I needed. It's got that really early days of rock sound to it. A bit too pop-y for my liking
Fun classics
They are a greatest hits type band and I can't even listen to all the hits.
Those first three songs rival the best opening of any album of that era/genre, just banger after banger. The rest of the album is perfectly good, but it just doesn’t compare to that opening run. Best Track: My Best Friend’s Girl
Pillar type man type boomer type rock type shit
Favorite songs: Good Times Roll, My Best Friend’s Girlfriend, Just What I Needed, You’re All I’ve Got Tonight, Moving in Stereo
4 better than I thought. Overall really good with only one Yugo!
Couple of good songs, vocals reminded me of XTC occasionally for some reason which I really enjoyed, but it's not exactly for me
bangers. just what i needed. also incredible non new wave influences on the latter half of the album, especially "moving in stereo"
Nope.
Good tunes
I loved this one. I knew a few of the tracks already, but the other ones were just as good. A very fun synth-pop/rock time!
A bit ordinary
First half is a 5. Second half is a 3. Overall, it is a 4.
not really my thing
Fun first album, loved listening to moving in stereo.
* I really love the bass use in the songs. * Lots of synth * Worth listening again 4/5
top 3: - my best friends girl - just what i needed - bye bye love
Some classic 70s rock, and a damn fun album overall. Just What I Needed is gonna be played in commercials until the end of time, and it still is great. Sadly not every song is on that level, but it's a lot of fun to listen to nonetheless.
Wow holy shit
A classic for a reason.
Great hits and the rest was really good too.
zajebisty
kinda unique. always have a stable rhythms
very cool and funky
this album was very haunting and felt like the soundtrack of some 80s tv show or something. overall really enjoyed it
Not at all what I expected. It’s good but not my style
Wow what a packed album! Every song is a bonafide banger. The Cars kick ass!
I’ve always enjoyed their music when it comes on the radio. Probably the first time listening to an album through. It was cool.
Good 80s vibes
cohesive
mnooooogoo dobar album, dao bih 9/10 al ne mogu svim albumima da dajem dobre ocene, ne zelim da bude 500 albuma 8/10, i jos 300 vise od toga 9 pesama (top), rok pre toga je bio dosta ekspresivan i emotivan (gpt rekao), ovaj album ima mnogo vise sarkazma, hladnoce i disattachment-a (ne znam kako da kazem na srpskom), deluje bas unique, spoj trad rocka i punka, mnogo zanimljivi one time instrumenti, odlicni momenti, tematika odlicno pokrivena (hladnoca, bezanje od sopstvenih osecanja i coping) highlighti: Good Times Roll, I'm in touch with your world, Moving in Stereo, Just What I Needed
Good classic rock, nothing stands out
Sure, there are some good songs by The Cars that are not on this album. But this may as well be a greatest hits album - most of their best ones are here. A pop/rock masterpiece.
нууу сойдет. как-то не очень интересно тбх
C'est l'fun. 3.75 étoiles
Banger after banger after banger. I'm In Touch With Your World is the weakest track by far, but it's leagues ahead of a lot of the other garbage on this list. There's definitely a formula they're using to write and produce these songs, but it works well.
I disliked this album to the point of, I have effectively forgotten the album in the two or three days it took me to come write the written review.
Solid
Heard before: No Fav Tracks: Good Times, Beset Friends Girl, Just What I Needed Would I Listen Again? Likely The album opens really strong with three huge hits back to back. Familiarity with them defintely help me enjoy them more. The other tracks were good and its a solid album. Something I would put on again but not frequently. Rating: Weak 4
I enjoyed the upbeat tempos and bright sounds this album provided. It was an appropriate length where I didn’t get bored or tired of their tunes.
Interesting and intricate Wave/indy/synth rock.
Ooo pretty cool but for sure not my thing. Probs about a 6/10 for me but I do actually quite like it
Kult, liker hvordan de bruker synth. Et parr av låtebe var ganske gode og et par ganske kjedelige.
Behagelig, men fester seg ikke sånn veldig. Snilt sound, tidvis artig. 2-3
Not bad. The vibe was what I imagine what high schoolers played in the 80s while they were parking lmao.
the one song I know was decent, but the rest is just mid now Would I listen again: No Deserves to be on this list: No 2.8
Day708 - i love this band, it’s my second favorite cars album behind heartbeat city. bye bye love never gets old.
Proto Weezer
The name of the game is restraint. By using synths only where they benefit the song, The Cars made a much better album than their (many) imitators.
Wore the @%#* out of this album when it came out. Whenever I hear any song from this album I can’t help but smile ear to ear. Perfect progression from punk into new wave. Just About A Perfect Album.
As someone not that familiar with The Cars, I could have confused this debut album for a greatest hits album.
Had fun with this! I didn't know that Just What I Needed was on this album. Fun way to start this new little adventure :)
6/10 sorry 😞
Solid but only the last 3 worth listening to again
Excellent power pop. Quite raw but with very catchy melodies. Like this a lot. A good few songs on here which I’ve never heard before. Of these, “Bye bye love” and “All Mixed Up” standout. Solid 4
Album includes popular songs I’ve heard before like Good Times Roll, My Best Friend’s Girl & Just What I Needed. Fav *new* Song : All Mixed Up Album is fun but most likely would never listen to it if it was in my collection.
Good album
6.5/10
6 - AVERAGE
Better than Coldplay
First listen in ages. Forgot how airtight this album is. Six of nine tracks are monster hits. And the other three don’t drag it down. For a debut, that’s crazy.
3 stars This is a perfect example of a good album that I’ve listened to a bunch and will continue to listen to but that is not necessarily an album one must listen to before they die. It’s good but it’s not spectacular. The Cars are a “fine” band and is their finest album.
Thumbs up for Just What I Needed, Good Times Roll, and My Best Friend's Girl
it’s giving grease lightning type shi, yes love it had a great time Drums and guitar ate
Not bad. Kind of boring, doesn’t stand out. Most likely won’t listen again.
This thing is basically a debut greatest-hits album. Track after track, you get that unmistakable Cars shine: tight hooks, slick guitar lines, and vocals that somehow sound detached and warm at the same time. Even the deep cuts feel like you’ve known them for years, which almost no band can claim on album one.
Love the Cars, and this album has several songs I Love.
Dad “rock”
Not bad to be honest
Sounds like decent New Wave, no song really drew the attention but more listening may solve that. Benefit of the doubt
Solid, wide-ranging, eccentric, power pop! Love it. That this was the debut is even more impressive.
Classic album and honestly probably the first one I’ve had in a few weeks that I would agree is a must listen. This I album is a great intro into Krautrock, which is such a vital genre for almost anything that came after it besides maybe country and top 40 (I am including hip-hop and disco as being influenced by Krautrock). I so felt hope that this stands as a jumping off point for a few people into other artists from this genre such as NEU!, Ashra Tempel, Faust, Cluster/Kluster, etc.
Easy 5/5. Captivating. This album maintains your interest all the way through. Moving in Stereo one of the greatest songs ever recorded.
3.5 stars
The production on this rates much higher than most stuff from the era. I had heard these songs many times, but it was remarkable how much more was revealed the first time I listened on a high quality sound system. It's oozing with ear candy for audiophiles, and the lyrics are pretty solid as well.
Favorite track(s): Just What I Needed, Don't Cha Stop
2e moitié de l’abum commence à être plus intéressant, avec des structures plus éclatées.