The Cars

Good album, I see influences from Bowie, Yes, Talking Heads and DEVO and thats not a bad combination to say the least.

awesome

Found this really quite enjoyable. It felt really solid throughout the whole album. I enjoyed some of the riffs and it felt fresh and catchy. Entertaining.

Overall very enjoyable rock album perfect for grooving. Good variation of songs within the genre, with some true foot tappers! The album benefits from strong, driving rhythm guitar and prominent percussion.

Scratches my Oingo Boingo itch without being as irritating. My go-to New Wave exemplar that delivers a mix of both classic and experimental sounds. For the platinum bangers we all know off this album, there is a lot of low-key but respectable guitar work, tastefully complex vocal arrangements with some anthemic bars for the bar crowd to sing along to. For the b-sides I'm less familiar, with I hear surrealist shapes that other New Wave titans like Trio's "Da da da" built a foundation off of. I want to give this a 3.5, so I'll round up.

I can't believe how many songs on this album were hit singles. This was a groundbreaking album from my teens and was always on the radio or jukebox throughout the next 20 years

Power pop with just enough new wave weirdness to keep it interesting. Best Friend’s Girl and Just What I Needed are classics, but Don’t Cha Stop, Bye Bye Love and You’re All I’ve Got Tonight are all fun and inventive, with some great guitar hooks.

The Cars Im pretty familiar with it, but I think this is a great album. More synthy than the Go Gos and less stylised than the B-52s, they are right in that new wave power pop soft rock sweet spot that I love. Love the production, the overall sound and the sense of pop songwriting craftsmanship alongside some post punk rough edges and attitude. Nice line in slightly detached cynical lyrics. They remind me of Television but with a kind of wry pop sensibility. Add in a bit of Bowie, a bit of Eno (Here Come the Warm Jets & Roxy Music) some sixties hand claps, some glam guitars, a splash of synths and it’s a tasty and satisfying combo. Great little run with the first three songs, My Best Friend’s Girl and Just what I Needed are superb. You’re all I got Tonight and Moving in Stereo are also excellent. 9 tracks 35 minutes - perfect length, doesn’t outstay it’s welcome or dip at all. It’s a 5 for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This album is better as a whole than its individual songs. As I listened to the first couple of songs I felt indifferent, but the further into the album it went, the better it got. I can see why The Cars found the success they did. I also have to say that the last track "All Mixed Up" is so different than everything else on the album that it's almost jarring

aprecio carros

Prýðisplata. Hef ekkert hlustað á þessa hljómsveit nema einstaka lag í útvarpinu. Þetta var bara gott og ég gæti bara vel hugsað mér að hlusta á þetta aftur.

The album that launched a thousand others. This thing is packed with hooks, from the little rockabilly guitar riff after the chorus of "My Best Friend's Girl", to basically any gang vocal section. I like it when the record gets a bit prog-y near the tail end. Favorite tracks: "My Best Friend's Girl", "Moving In Stereo", "You're All I've Got Tonight"

Recognized a ton of songs on here, album was a hit machine. Added "Just What I Needed" to the library.

Great debut album, wonderful songwriting, still feels current and un-dated, all holds up well.

Fun and easy listening, surely this album and band was the genesis of pop rock. Its so fun, uptempo and up beat. I've been a fan of this for years, but never took part in a full listen. I'm very glad for this exercise. Disliked that some tracks fall flat in comparison to others.

Full of classics you thought were all different bands

First three tracks really solid (big hits). Some other really solid songs, some eh. Easy 4. Would probably give it 4.5. Moving in Stereo is my favorite track. All Mixed Up might be second.

reminds me of the music I'd listen to with my family during my childhood. it was a way for my cousins, uncles, and me to bond growing up - this particular album reminds me of my uncle. while taking care of us or at family parties he'd have in old apt, he'd play the drums/guitar (often by ear) of these songs. the number of noise complaints he'd get back then 😆 Listening to it NOW - still hits the same for me, maybe even more because it reminds me of memories shared with family members who I don't see that often any longer

This is the most inconsistent of the albums I've rated so far. At it's worst (I'm in Touch with Your World, Don't Cha Stop, even Moving in Stereo), it feels like contrived karaoke fare. The songs don't seem to be going anywhere and the new age elements, particularly the synths (and, even more specifically, the metronome on I'm in Touch with Your World), seem out of place and distracting. It's almost cringe-inducing. But when this album hits -- and it hits plenty -- it absolutely slaps. For me, the songs that work best are the mid-to-high energy ones where it seems like the band is careening towards a chorus, driven by strong lead guitar motifs and vocal harmonies, and culminating in classic guitar solos. It's a pretty standard "classic rock" sound in my mind, with a touch of rockabilly and maybe some grunge/punk in there too. And it works really well.

Quite neat.

I've heard a number of these songs over the years and had no idea they were all from the same album. Pretty good debut album. If I would have guessed, I would have said it was from the 80's. That was a trailblazing album I guess.

"The Cars" starts so strong great intro song leads to 2 awesome songs, no wonder why those two tracks has 100+ mil streams on spotify, but then album downfall starts with "I'm in Touch with Your World", very repetitive song with some anoying effects in it(i'm like watching some kind of a sitcom show with laughing on background, but it continues WHOLE episode without stoping), song aged very poorly, then i thought it go downfall would continue with "Don't Cha Stop", first chorus just the same song as previous(repetitive crap), but then awesome guitar solo it grown on me that i started having fun during last chorus and outro. I hadn't have any hope for Side two, but it starts STRONG, "You're All I've Got Tonight" very intresting song switching from new wave to hard rock, very interesting, "Bye Bye Love" good song. Closing track was a good track for closing as much as first track did for opening. I would give this solid 4/5, track 4 ruined whole experience. Favourite song(s): "My Best Friend's Girl", "Just What I Needed", "Bye Bye Love".

Lots and lots of bangers. Hits a bit a of a low point in the middle of the album, but starts and finishes on high, high notes. Great classic rock.

New wave. Está bien. Venga, un 4.

I mean, this has at least 4 songs on it that everyone knows, and even more that I've heard before without listening to this album. Great fun songs, and nice and punchy, with cool synth leads.

Fun! The album artwork scares me.

Hört sich gut an

sick

Surprised at how good this actually is. Would’ve never listened to it. They’re definitely influenced by Queen. It’s good stuff. It’s not a 5 because, well, nothing is right?

Been a fan of these guys since the early days. I remember hearing this album for the first time and thinking - this is different. Still is. The Cars found their own niche in the New Wave/Punk scene.

Great album.

Classic. I didnt realize how many songs of theirs I knew. I would listen again but not seek it out regularly.

Got some hits, overall good

Already know this is a great album. What was surprising and new to me was how much the last track reminded me of Tom Petty. Pretty great to listen to this again with fresh ears! 4/5

super pleasant album. smooth vocals and instrumentals

Fun but short, album, good guitar themes. A little too innocent.

Good. Not what I expected

4.0. full of iconic tracks . The Cars might be the best of the new wave movement. Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, You're All I've Got Tonight, Just What I Needed... monsters of the era.

imagínate tener un debut así. Discazo. Definitivamente voy a estar escuchándolo más.

Gefällt mir. Schöne melodische Musik, die zum mitsingen und tanzen anregt. Werde ich bestimmt jetzt öfter mal anhören.

tight, literally. Restrained. Moving in Stereo has that famous synth riff.

Interesting pop rock, but with more of an artsy/prog leaning than I remember

What a treat for the weekend. Listened to it twice on Friday alone.

What a first 3 song run to start this album. Drops off a bit after that but still a solid 4 for me.

An immaculate debut album full of catchy tracks, and great guitar and synth tones. Every song on this is really strong. Moving In Stereo in particular is incredible, it's super catchy, has an awesome bassline and the guitar tones are brilliant, and the track actually moves between the stereo speakers!

pretty pretty good

A few classics and a handful of filler, but on the whole, very very good. Somehow manages to evoke punk and post-punk, while still being rooted in classic rock and pub rock heritage. The kind of songs all dad/garage bands play when starting out - but don't always nail. Deceptively simple sounding, but with hidden depths.

So good. Great combination of satisfying and eclectic

Rating: 8.5/10 Great new wave/pop rock album. Very catchy album, has many memorable melodies and choruses. The synth really stands out, many of the catchy moments were due to it. Overall just really fun to listen to, wish it had a little more variety though. Favorite songs: Good Times Roll, Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed, You're All I got Tonight, Moving In Stereo. Least favorite song: I'm In Touch With Your World.

A new wave classic.

amazing 80s vibe

A good rock-and-roll album. It’s almost the Platonic idea of classic rock at this point - catchy and poppy but with enough guitar and drums to keep it elevated!

Thoughts before listening: I know the Cars and will probably recognize a lot of this album, but I've never heard this before. I have always thought of them as simplistic pop rock, but I know they get praised a lot by music critics. I'm excited to dig in a little deeper on them. Review: This is really good. Sure it's pop music, but it's also really catchy, smart songwriting. The hits on this album are some of the most memorable, timeless songs released in the late 70s. Considering their contemporaries were punk, prog, disco, etc it's refreshing to have a band that was out there just playing solid rock n roll songs. 4-stars.

Świetny album, z new wavem nie miałem za dużo do czynienia ale jest to bardzo przyjemne i zostanę na dłużej

Banger & ahead of the curve for 1978

Jättebra!

It was a good album, I enjoyed the music style. I'd honestly been having a bad day and listening to it improved my mood. I especially liked Good Times Roll and Moving In Stereo the best.

Nice album

3.9

A very polished debut album. Fairly unique sound, relatively traditional pop songwriting themes. I've always had a soft spot for these guys. This record came out when I was fairly young, there were others that dropped during my teenage years that were a bit more impactful for me personally. I do think that The Cars were a very palatable New Wave act and as such they were important. Other bands like DEVO, The Fixx, Thomas Dolby, even Talking Heads were more "out there" and probably wouldn't have gotten nearly as popular without bands like The Cars who were a bit of a transition / merger between a mainstream sound and a true New Wave sound.

I grew up with the Cars but have never listened to this whole album. The few songs I hadn’t heard before were interesting but not earth shattering. Overall they’re a lot of fun but I rarely seek them out. Great for drunken singalongs.

Pleasant, smooth rock/pop album with no outstanding songs but some good music in general. 3.7

Awesome Band! Awesome Songs! Personal top3 in no order: Don‘t Cha Stop Good Times Roll Bye Bye Love

Love it.

The Cars can produce and carry a tune: Several from this album were in memory and one from the sophomore hooked my ears over a bar stereo earlier this year. Packing a debut with easy life ain't easy, but all nine here do the job. A few themes are shared; Sound design is not except in an appropriately sci-fi sense.

Classic

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: How it that not Katherine Heigl on the cover of this album? / how am I just realizing the Cars & the song Cars by Gary Numan are...very much not the same thing? AFTER LISTENING: this was unexpectedly fun & not corny for such a synth heavy LP AFTER LEARNING MORE: seems like a lot of people agree? RECCOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: mid-tempo bangers, synth music that would appeal to people who went to graduate school 340 issued / 489 rated

Very good sound design. Catchy songs 4/5

Kinda a slut for some new wave 3.75/5

Nice bit of nu wave emo power pop for us crush addled 14 year old nerds to relate to alone in our bedrooms. Some iffy moments but mostly stands up today mixed in to a dinner party playlist.

Solid

Gr8

Favs: "Just What I Needed", "Moving in Stereo", "All Mixed Up" Giving pop rock. Enjoyed it tbh

Three bangers to start. Pretty solid, not too long. I feel like the lead singer's voice is pretty... unique, and it feels like the schtick gets kinda old after a while.

I was surprised at how many songs I already knew from this album, but I'm not surprised that I had heard them since The Cars has all killer no filler. Every song had its own thing going for it, no sound over stayed it's welcome. 8.6/10 Fav song - Just What I Needed

they got bangers on here. some bangers of all time

Really good album!! Man!! I underestimated the Cars! I only knew Just What I Needed, which I thought was from the mid 80s, so imagine my surprise.. By the way, much weirder song than I realized. Love it. The album overall is quirky but pretty confident for a debut. Shades of Queen, shades of early Talking Heads and maybe even Television. Thomas Dolby even, if you will. Each song is pretty fun on its own, but man to go back to Just What I Needed- what the fuck are the drums doing ?? So so fun. Ok I prommy I’ll start doing more organized responses after today. But this is a HIGH HIGH HIGH four for me.

Great new wave album because they did not forget to make the guitars sound good, and they made the synths sound cool - not cheesy. I love this album. Maybe because it was all over the radio when I was a kid. But whatever - this is great.

Really solid pop tracks. Banger after banger.

I was so surprised by this album. Like I knew The Cars were influential but man. The last third of the album was my favorite.

It's nice album. Even without it's one big hit.

Sonically pleasing album, if a little bit one-note. Influential and oft-imitated I guess - 3.8/5

3.5; well written songs but a sound too of the times. Which came first, that sound, or the cars? Don't know, don't love.

I liked it. Twas chill

holy hits

Great debut.

It’s a fun album. Has some classic hits everybody knows.

I really like the last part of all mixed up. "I'm in touch with your world" was probably my least liked. Overall I'm going to give it a four stars. A few of the songs were 5, but the others drag it down to a four.

I had no idea how many hits there were on this album. "Let the Good Times Roll" is such a great way to begin an album. Even the tunes I'm not familiar with are pretty solid. "I'm in Touch with Your World" reminds me a lot of Talking Heads from this era. Overall, a good album, but not my thang.

Essential Tracks: Just What I Needed (Playlist) Good Times Roll My Best Friend’s Girl

One of my favorite albums to hear in a bar.

Almost entirely bangers.

I expected these songs to be a little more upbeat, but they seemed full of melancholy. I don't know where I got that impression, but the melancholy runs throughout. Just What I Needed is a banger. Moving In Stereo was the low point, and I didn't like All Mixed Up. Took it from a 4.567 to a 3.843, but I'll round up to a 4.

This is fine. Another album where it's really clear why the song(s) that I recognize is well-known (RadioShack ad campaign notwithstanding) and the others are mostly forgotten. My rating is definitely colored by the previous THREE I listened to in that I never had to stop because a track was so off-putting. Vanilla new wave is inoffensive easy listening, I'll take it.

Pretty good! I knew most of the songs already, and I enjoy them. Some of them weren't the most exciting, but probably my favorite album so far.

3.5, rounded up to four because my mother loves the cars, so half of these are like, canonical nostalgia for me. the other half are bit samey but i was boppin' along nonetheless.

I barely needed to relisten to this album. My Best Friend's Girl is, in my opinion, the standout track even though Just What I Needed had more/longer-standing commercial success. This album (and band) get coded as early new wave 80's pop a lot but there's some very twangy and Motown inspired sounds in here under the Casio synth lines that I think are interesting too. I can feel you asking "fmst if you're so effusive about it and love new wave, why is this four stars" and the answer is mostly because I have 1001 albums to get through so I realized I want to really hold the fives in reserve. I also think some of the tracks (Let the Good Times Roll) drag more than they needed to and in just nine tracks some of them feel start to feel samey (You're All I've Got).

Am I only rating albums higher because I heard their songs on the radio growing up? We’ll never know

Solid. Will probably listen again

Great record. Utterly cool. Amazing sound. Perfect late 70’s rock and roll record.

i remember this album being cool, with just enough oddness and very danceable in general. kinda creepy too because of the cover. its really a precursor of the 80s bringing lots of the sounds of the decade to the table without that kind of overproduction. for me its a great album, not the one ill always be listening to because i tend to get overwhelmed by its almost 80s production.

The hits on here (and they’re almost all hits) still get me excited, even after years of hearing them on classic rock radio. Another 4.5. Today I’m rounding down.

Hooked from the first song. I definitely see myself listening to this album again. Good for late afternoon/early evening listening, especially driving down a highway when you're like 25 and know absolutely nothing so you're ready for anything. Really feeling \"Just What I Needed\" - I see why it was played repeatedly on Boston radio (per Wikipedia). The \"electronic\" sound on some of the songs is an interesting touch - I could take it or leave it, but overall the essence of the songs still shines through. I enjoyed listening to this.

Catchy songs. Great forerunner to the classic 80's sound. Would definitely listen to again.

I'm grateful I had more time with The Cars, as it bored me when I first heard it, listening from the wrong angle, expecting quick pop pleasures rather than the colder, more considered art rock artefacts this record lays out, more Television than Blondie, some Cheap Trick low in the mix. I no longer regret buying this two or three years ago. The crisp, clear, almost minimalist recording works well, apart from the vocals, which make me feel like the band are leaning into my ear during the harmonies. A grudging "I guess this shouldn't be a two so I'll inch it up to three" has become a solid 4. I went into this only liking the singles, and now prefer the other songs, with their faint, offal-like whiffs of prog.

Cohesive album, not my favorite sound but 1 -2 really good songs

I absolutely enjoy this album. The guitar driven pop rock with synths worked into it is great. Vocal style reminds me of “Television’s” lead singer. I feel like I can hear how weezer took inspiration from this album to create Pinkerton, ranging from the vocals to the synth post choruses. The fourth track is very interesting and stripped down. A proper slapper of an album. Very catchy Melodys all around the board. Absolutely in love with their sound.

Super cool hearing early influences on other bands like Weezer

Practically a perfect album. Hit after hit. And it was their first album!

This is like a greatest hits album!

Great album. Cars bring their distinct sound to every track. They are a bridge between 70s classic rock and 80s new wave. Fun style and fun songs.

New Wave Pop hit it's peak with this release - the opening five tracks are juggernauts of radio hits - Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, You're All I've Got Tonight, Just What I Needed. Not my cup of tea, but the popularity is undeniable.

The Cars were not given enough credit, by me. This album was much better than I was expecting. I should listen to this more often.

This album is great my personal favorite song on this album is moving in stereo

With classics such as "Good Times Roll", "My Best Friend's Girl", and "Just What I needed", the Cars have transcended decades as quintessential new wave. The Cars have a unique and amazing sound which had a huge influence on music. I thought side b was a little lacking.

Fun album but the riffs are a bit repetitive.

Upbeat and fun album.

Pretty good, I’m a fan of more modern rock but the classics always hit

Fun pop-rock album, old but still fun. Lot of bangers omnom. Thoroughly enjoyed it, While I did not expect it.

Some bangers and an overall great late 70s/early 80s vibe. Very strong a-side.

Repetitive but catchy, fun vocals, very complex beats at parts

One of the best debut albums.

Insane that this was their first album with so many hits!

Catchy songs, but uses odd sounds and instruments to be quirky. So many really big hits though. Definitely before its time.

good times roll: 85 my best friends girl: 82 justt what i needed: 96 i'm in touch with your world: 76 don't cha stop: 78 you're all i got tonight: 79 bye bye love: 84 moving in stereo: 90 all mixed up: 76

Some straight cuts

It’s strange - when I saw that I’d been generated this album for today, I thought there must be a glitch as I’d already listened to it. However, when looking into it I found that to be untrue. I don’t know why I remember this. Maybe I’m muddling it up with Cars by Gary Numan, as I’ve definitely had The Pleasure Principle album. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: My Best Friend’s Girl, You’re All I’ve Got Tonight This was quite different to what I was expecting. I thought it’d be heavy on the synths (again, I think I might be mixing this up with Gary Numan) but it’s much more rocky. It reminding me of Rick Springfield, which was solidified by My Best Friend’s Girl which was basically Jessie’s Girl but different. This is really good 80’s rock, and if you enjoy that genre then definitely give it a listen.

Can't believe this came out in '78. Still great listening 45yrs on. This is a solid 4.

*I'm in Touch with Your World* with the wacky sound effects strait out of Dr. Demento.

I was negative at the start, but once the pace picks up at track 3 things really start to get interesting. Which might make the first songs also more interesting on second listen. This is where the melodies and timing get a little more ‘abstract’ and the synths are amazing addition making it feel somewhat ‘flashy’ (in a good way). The guitar riff on track 5 is super nice, accompanied by singing with a lot of character. In general there is quit a nice relationship between the guitar and the singing, sometimes almost going ‘back and forth’. It calms down a little bit again in the middle, making for a soothing intermezzo. But the last 2 tracks pick the energy up and make it even more enticing. The last track works as a beautiful outro, with a little saxophone solo that blows you away. Amazing record, liked it way more than I expected. Can’t wait for a second listen!

3.5/5

This album is about as easy listening as it gets. A tight 30 minutes of catchy, well-written power-pop. 'Just What I Needed' could be on this album an extra 20 times too and I wouldn't even mind, that song is pure ear-candy. Can't wait to throw this album on again.

- 2 absolute classics - really solid album - enjoyed the bass

wouldnt ever guess lightning mcqueen can sing like that

Great memories of this entire album. Lots of hits.

Found myself enjoying the deeper album cuts quite a bit. 4/5

Es un álbum interesante, atrapa de la mejor manera la estética del New Wave. All Mixed Up es una chulada. 3.8/5

Short, catchy songs, and a few big hits in "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Just What I Needed" along with other great songs. Funny enough, I just finished listening to an album from The Kinks in 1968 and it's incredible how much music changed in a short period of time, and for the better. It goes from everyone sounding like The Beatles to everyone having a unique sound. Outside of that, I thought this album started stronger than it finished but enjoyed it nevertheless. 8/10

Quite fun

How could you not jam

This was a fun listen. Lots of recognizable songs, but even the less popular songs held their own.

Excellent overall album, iconic as always.

Classic. Basically perfect until the last few songs.

So many timeless hits from this one album, so good

It’s not hard to imagine having a fantastic time with friends in the late 70s with this album as a soundtrack. Just What I Needed is a favorite. It’s a pretty even album, all fun.

Vibes all the way, men ikke full on bangers

I was surprised for as old as this album is that I know about half of the tracks very well. I'm not quite sure how to classify the cars. They are rock, but not too heavy. They are not new wave, but they had figured out how to integrate new electronic sounds and keyboards with the electric guitar. The opening seconds from the most popular (and best) tracks of the album have great guitar hooks and backing electronic sounds ("Good Times Roll", "Just What I Needed", "My Best Friend's Girl", "Moving in Stereo"). There is some nostalgia in my rating, but this is a solid record. Several tracks are great, and the rest are good - worth playing the whole record through.

Never listened to these before, quite enjoyed it

Punchy. A good listen.

The three songs I knew by The Cars were the first three songs on this record! The Cars are a synth pop/new wave/pop rock band from Boston. Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, and Just What I Needed are three certified bangers! I was excited to listen to the rest of this album to see how their other stuff stacked up to these hits. Overall, this was a fantastic album. There really wasn't a dud in the bunch. The play with channels (left ear vs right ear), especially in Moving in Stereo was neat. I can see how this influenced a lot of new music. Glad I took the time to listen to more of their back catalog. I may even go and explore more of their albums. Favourite songs: Just What I Needed, Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, You're All I've Got Tonight, Don't Cha Stop, Moving in Stereo Least favourite songs: I'm In Touch With Your World 4/5

History

Pretty solid album . Lots of hits on here.

I was going to give this a three, but the second half was MUCH better than the first. The mixing is annoying (as per usual for me), but really good songs.

this one is great, so many hits on here. very high 4 just a couple of tracks keep it from being perfect.

Easy-listening garage rock with some noisy guitars and sometimes futuristic touch

The whole album is a bit same-y. Moving in Stereo stands out, but is on the boring side. Heard many of these before. Still, pretty fun to listen to.

Easy pop. Yeah, but more than 30 years ago, when the formula was new.

Torn between 3 and 4 some songs are average some I really enjoy album as a whole was good and do want to check out the Cars after listening.

4.5 stars. Wow, one of those albums where I kept hearing hit after hit not realizing they were all from the same artist, much less the same debut record. New wave that is synth-heavy and at times too neat with the tech, but overall great pop/classic rock. Standouts are "Just What I Needed" "My Best Friend's Girl" "Good Times Roll" and the less popular "Don't Cha Stop"

Lots of radio hits. Still just dad rock

Well, fuck me. I thought I would hate this album. Instead I came away "getting it" for the first. Yeah, deserves all the praise I would previously shake my head at. I don't think I ever listened to this with headphones before, which is probably a factor. The biggest factor is being born in '92 and having the radio and commercials absolutely abuse certain tracks on this album until they felt like inartistic bullshit. I hear all the New Wave now, and I like it quite a bit.

God the first songs so bad But there are many hits on this album Torn between 3 and 4

Just what I needed.

Quite like the cars, very creative & varied despite always sounding like them. Big fan

Good Times Roll, My Best Friend’s Girl, Just What I Needed 3.5/5

thought id like it more.

Good Album with a good lenght! Was a good listen. I enjoyed it

The Cars absolutely come out swinging here, making this another excellent debut album! The album is chock full of amazing songs, many of which would go on to be big hits for the band and very solid and lasting examples of the new wave movement. Some bands during this time period used synths ironically -- that is, they sounded corny and they know they sounded corny. However, The Cars find a way to make it all sound very cool. I'm not sure what it is, but in a sea of other new wave bands and songs, I can always pick out The Cars. Definitely a great album!

first couple songs were okay but i got into it. kind of Charge! aquabats vibes

It's fun

Great

This was so fresh and new at the time. I still know all the words. Listening to it again I still like it, especially Bye Bye Love: “It’s just a broken lullaby…”

Debut album recorded in 1978! First 3 tracks were big radio hits: Good Times Roll My Best Friend's Girl Just What I Needed (by far the most listened to according to Spotify, June 2023, over 200 million plays) Another decent hit: You're All I've Got Tonight

Very solid first album. Their sound seemed so developed already.

My local corny-but-delightful Classic Rock station simply would not exist without The Cars and for that they have my everlasting love and respect. Half the songs on this album are songs I get White Guy Stoked to hear whenever they come on at Five Guys or Meijer or wherever and the other half were fun new-to-me tunes that I was glad I heard.

Starts off good, gets boring, then ends well. I wish I could give this a 3.5 but due to limitations of this website it gets a 4 on a technicality. I liked the electronic influence on the later songs.

7.5

it was fun, I liked the beginning of the album more than the end

Absolute banger. Huge fan of 80s new wave. Weird, quirky, dark, punchy. Can’t say I’ve ever heard this album in its entirety, but I like the Cars and listened to many of these songs. Also they’re pretty popular and heard a bunch in movies and stuff before I knew who they were. Love it.

The songs were really good on their own but I couldn't find myself being gripped by it. part of it is the way i listen to the album, i am doing other things while listening that require my attention. i need to just draw or do something chill while listening, because only listening doesn't work for me (yet). overall, really cool sound, i felt like i was in the 80s and in a car ride leading to an adventure. the songs weren't of the most important subjects, like my best friend's girl, but it was fun and amusing

3.5

Fun

Fun 80s music

Another one I never listened to before this. You can hear their massive influence on bands nowadays. Pretty good, one of my favorites of new discoveries so far.

If every time someone thought about putting on Talking Heads, they instead put on the Cars, we'd probably have flying cars by now. Pun intended. Wow Doncha Stop is hot garbage though.

solide album. plus synth rock. 8/10

Synthy basses and sparkly expressive vocals. Very fun and pretty, joyous to listen to. The kind of album I'm grateful to have been on this list. I prefer this album to their later stuff. It speaks much more to a playfulness. I do think it's a little embarrassing that they're doing brit voice and dont have the excuse of being british.

Nice tunes, i especially liked "my best friend's girl"

C'est vraiment bon the Cars j'ai été surpris et c'est une surprise pour moi. Je donne un note élevé car le facteur de réécoute est tr`s bon 4.85

solid

I've always written off the Cars as boring in the same vein that Foreigner is. However, what I found was a phenomenally well executed new wave/synth pop album that was great from start to finish. This was not boring late 70s classic rock content to coast in the shadow of their betters; this was delightfully weird commercially viable music that was still interesting. The guitar work is great and is tinged by rockabilly influences in addition to more proggy influences. Overall, I came away impressed by this album. It's not the best new wave album by far, but it fills a void between experimental and marketable.

A very good album. I felt like I'd heard practically every song on this album before at some point or another, but I don't know if that was just false memories. It was really good throughout, though maybe a bit middle of the road in my opinion (pun intended). Pleasant and enjoyable, but not particularly memorable. Favourite: Just What I Needed

Right before The Knack killed power pop in 1979 with the mega-success of My Sharona, it would be The Cars that had perfected the sound (Replacements and Big Star be damned). It's peppy without being annoying, giving us a bit of rock edge with some great pop hooks. The one song that will throw the album off is I'm in Touch With Your World, which gets a little experimental before the band snaps back to it's simpler pop roots. Rarely does an album feel so tight and accomplished in it's execution. Any of the songs here could've been hits, but Just What I Needed is a natural pick. Just genius songwriting.

Sneaks a 4. The first three songs are classics but it does tail off a bit.

One of the best debut albums in Rock. The band was on fire with some great songwriting and absolutely solid playing. Both Ric Ocasik and Benjamin Orr are on top form with their vocals. The album could almost be a greatest hits

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This album is a perfect distillation of the early Synth-wave that would become synonymous with the turn of the decade from the 70's to the 80's. What is more impressive is the sheer number of timeless songs from this single album, when there are only 3 tracks that have under 6M Spotify Streams you are clearly doing something right. While not the most provocative lyrically, this album boasts some inventive riffs and ear-worms.

This was fun to listen to while working on the trailer. Like Bruce said, so many bangers! I didn't realize I was familiar with so many of their songs. Would definitely listen again.

This album was probably ground down to its nubs back in the day with how many hits were in the first 3 songs. Starts to get a little repetitive but for a quick album, some bangerz were present.

So many hits from this album. I always liked the Cars but didn’t realize most of their big songs came from their debut album. Classic 80s

I loved this album. If it weren’t for the slight letdowns on the 4th and 5th tracks this might be five stars. Very catchy and high energy new wave with great use of synthesizer. I was a bit worried it was a front-loaded album but it ends great as well.

Pretty dynamic, it reminds me of sounds from Queen, Elo, or Oingo Boingo. Probably a good album to listen to while driving. Favs: Dontcha stop Moving in Stereo

Electric angel rock and roller, I hear what you're playin.

An album that takes me back to my youth. Great music.

This thing is like a capsule evolution of New Wave. Insane line up of heavyweight hits on the A side.

4/9, 44%

Solid album, with hit songs from start to finish. 4/5

Every once in awhile, an artist I like gets a little boring to me and I usually skip their songs when they come on, yet still consider myself a fan of their work. It’s been that way for me with The Cars since Ric Ocasek died a few years back. After listening to this album, that feeling is gone. What a record! So many hits on this debut album of theirs and the rest of the songs are still great sounding.

8/10. I kinda figured this would be one of those albums with a couple hits, and a lot of blah filler, but it worked out to be pretty solid all the way through. Could even consider bumping it up to a 9 if the mood caught me.

First three songs are absolute classics and the rest is alright. Moving in Stereo was probably the next best track. 8/10

I mean... the first few tracks kinda carry it, but those tracks! I think this album is just what I needed? 😆

Yay, The Cars!! i've heard Good Times Roll, and Just What I Needed on the radio plenty of times. The voice is very unique. And I'm diggin the ol rocknroll styel. When music was not all digitized. Moving in Stereo is a good song too!

Cracking album, pretty unique sound but really groovy.

I mean. It's The Cars. Maybe not my favorite album of theirs, but one that's packed with radio hits.

My review got erased! ERASED! Anyway, you can imagine the poetry but to sum it up - this album is great, is one of those that I associate purely with the 80s sound (even though it's '78, I know I know) and there's barely a dud here. Is there a dud here? I don't know, I don't think so. The cover is a delight. End of poem.

Guys? This is just what I needed. Love it. Loses a little steam here and there in the back half, but gosh those guitar sounds are just fantastic and the songs are as catchy as a coldy.

2nd listen was a charm on this one, began to really get into it, especially the 2nd half of the album

Generally a fun album, I don’t really have anything bad to say but it didn’t amaze me or anything. 3.5 stars rounded up

Just What I Needed! Perfect tight 80s new wave pop

Divertido

I'm almost certain I've heard this album before, maybe it was one in dad's record collection. There's the obvious few hits, but I recognize and love so many of these tracks. I'm not even sure if the Cars did much beyond this album, but they made a solid pop-rock classic with this one. Favorite tracks: Just What I Needed, My Best Friend's Girl, Moving in Stereo, Good Times Roll, Bye Bye Love. Album art: Iconic for sure. The smiling (screaming?) woman at the wheel. I wonder if she's having a great time, or is she about to crash? Could be a dark side to this one. 4/5

Zaskakująco przyjemne, ale równie niewyróżniające się. Takie 4=

I didn't want to like it but it was hit after hit and well done. 4 stars

One of my favorite discoveries upon starting this journey! And I shake my head for not giving The Cars a chance earlier.. This is a very solid debut album. Perhaps one of the most iconic front covers, featuring the beautiful Nataliya Medvedeva. The songs have a great vibe and are super catchy. I love the vocal work on the songs, the tradeoffs between vocalists is great. But the stand out part for me is the keyboards and synth work, just incredible! All held together by the solid backing of Benjamin Orr and David Robinson. Favorite lyrics: - I can't feel this way much longer expecting to survive. With all these hidden innuendos just waiting to arrive. It's such a wavy midnight and you slip into insane. Electric angel rock and roller, I hear what you're playin'. - Substitution, mass confusion, clouds inside your head. Involving all my energies until you visited. With your eyes of porcelain and of blue. They shock me into sense. You think you're so illustrious, you call yourself intense. - Life's the same, I'm moving in stereo. Life's the same except for my shoes. Life's the same, you're shaking like tremolo. Life's the same, it's all inside you. Key tracks: Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed, You're All I've Got Tonight, Bye Bye Love, Moving In Stereo. 8,5 out of 10

Classic power pop document. First three tracks and ‘Moving in Stereo” are top shelf stuff, the other five are serviceable to the sound.

- Heard this before - Probably the quintessential new wave album - Just What I Needed is an absolute classic - Fav songs: Just What I Needed, Moving in Stereo, My Best Friend's Girl

very groovy and fun, loved the vibes

Big fan.

I really enjoyed the vibe on this one. Before starting any of this I felt the 70s were just a musical void. All punk and ABBA but I have been proved wrong. The 70s are one of my favourite decades for music now

Favoritas: -My best friends girl -You´re all I've got tonight

I was surprised by this album. Beyond the singles, the other songs were either good to great without a lot of annoyance. “Moving in Stereo” and “All Mixed Up” stood out. Definitely going to listen again.

Some great rock tunes and a unique blend of rock plus synths. Really still holds up.

Absurdly catchy, very forward-thinking in that new wave sound, and the glossy production really serves the sound well. But some bits of this are so overplayed it makes me feel like I'm picking up some hemorrhoid cream and CVS.

I really like this! the first 3 songs are by far the best (and we’re very popular singles) and even though the rest of the album wasn’t quite up to their caliber, still a great enjoyable sound of an album that knew when to end.

Favoritas: -My best friends girl -You´re all I've got tonight

Started out incredibly strong, but most of the middle/end of the album is pretty boring. Weirdly sounds like Gary Numan. Honestly they should just stick to straightforward pop/rock. They're so good at it! Album's gotta be a 4 on the strength of the high notes, though. Standouts: Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed, Don't Cha Stop, All Mixed Up

Top Gear 🚗

Was only familiar with the hit singles (Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, Just What I Needed) going in, but this was a very solid album front to back.

WHat agreat opener, pretty good - some very iconic stuff. An extra point for longevity. Id listen twice to this.

solid effort all around, straight to the point, cohesive, kickass instrumentation, loved it. what a debut album

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: My best friend’s girl, Just what I needed, Don’t cha stop

Great album full of hooks. Essential to a musical journey.

damn - so infectious - such great singles on the first half. the second half has some pretty good bops. im such a huge fan of how good the synth works with their sound. it can be a bit cheesy but damn so catchy. such good little guitar fills/riffs that interact with the rhythm guitar and bass.

70’er rock, new wave, synth, kor, tempofyldt

Good songs in there

I own this record at home. It's nice power pop, yet I've always wondered what made it so "essential" for some other fans of the genre than me. Some of the songs are catchy for sure. The thing is, they're also a little innocuous, and even a bit ridiculous from time to time. Ric Ocasek went on to produce the first Weezer album. Funny how the two first LPs of the latter band took that whole power pop formula to the next level. In comparison, *The Cars* sounds a little tame today. That said, it's still a milestone in that style, just like the first Big Star album is. In that sense, it deserves to be on this list. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: less than 700, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: approximately a half so far (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: a quarter Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last quarter

Bland but brilliant. A great record.

Very listenable. Lots of good songs on this album. I can see they were where a lot of later bands got their influence for rock/pop music from.

Pas une tracklist impecable, mais tellement de classiques sur cet album, le genre d'album qui faut écouter au moins une fois dans sa vie. 4/5

Liked this, but not quite as much as I thought I would. It's solid though. 3.5/5

Simultaneously nostalgic, timely and timeless, all in the best possible ways. Even if you’re not a new wave person (and I’m learning that I’m not), this is worth a listen. Gonna go with A-, cause the middle section kind of drags. First and last thirds are where it’s at

Best song - you're all I've got tonight Worst song - I'm in touch with your world

Fun album that I haven't listened to for a long while.

Starts strong and keeps the level high most of the way through. No great suprises - The Cars being The Cars.

Never heard a song by them before and it's pretty good stuff. It never goes above and beyond for me, but it never stinks either. A nice middle ground and a great find.

First 3 tracks are stellar, rest of the can't quite keep up

Ingenious and stylish, the perfect bridge between the '70s and '80s and an ideally balanced synthesis of classic rock and new wave. The first three cuts are an all-time trio, and side 2 kicks off with similar impact. Hooks are everywhere and every song is tight. Ocasek was always going to make his mark and this was the start, though they'd never quite achieve this density of quality on one disc again.

Un bell’album che dà vibes positive anni ‘80

new wave é estranho. eles te jogam um som fudido e bizarro que te da medo do que ta por vir e depois te bombardeiam com melhor musica que tu ja ouviu na tua vida. é o caso desse album e quase todas musicas, algumas so continuam com o som fudido e bizarro ate o fim sem entregar o tesouro de verdade. musicas marcantes que colocam pra mexer.

Not bad

First time listening to this album and I know much more cars songs than I expected also enjoyed this more than I thought I would, a good mix of classic rock/new wave a sort of stepping stone towards the 80’s new wave that would follow this album. More than worthy of being on the list.

Great 80s stuff

At first I thought I'd hate this, a bit too synthy pop for me, but I did really like it. Looked the band up, they look exactly as I thought they would.

Doesn’t anyone knock anymore? 4/5

Way better than expected, since I was anticipating crusty dad-rock, and was ultimately greeted with catchy poppy hooks, and a fun balance of synths and guitars. My head started nodding, and it didn't really stop. It's short and sweet, very little filler or bad tracks to be found here. Appropriately, it's a driving album, windows down, sun out, volume to the max. 10/11/22

New wave. Está bien. Venga, un 4.

Very good musicality. Liked most of not all of the songs. There is a good thing about the Chorus. Would gladly listen again if looking for Rock group! Very decent 3.5 leaning on 4/5

Classic

favourite song: im in touch with uour world least favourite song: my best friends girl really interes album, particularly liked the bits where you could really hear the velvet underground influence

I really like this. I'd heard some of these guys before but never really invested beyond a few songs, but there's plenty of catchy songs in here and it's overall a really good listen. The whole presentation is great, I love the cover too.

This is the debut album by the American rock and new wave band the Cars. It was filled with pop rock classics and performed well with fans and critics alike. The album is still remembered for its popular singles and was certified six times platinum. This is a great album for experiencing new wave pop music from its explosive time period. I loved it.

Really enjoyed this one. Loved the voice of the lead singer and harmony of the instruments. Very entertaining listen. Fav songs: bye bye love, moving in stereo

Listened

4.5/5

Nice power pop

I didn't even know I was a fan of the Cars until i heard this record! I've been hearing these songs my entire life as background music at skating rinks, malls, in the car, but I guess I thought they were one-hit-wonders. I never knew that so many great pop songs were all from the same band, and from the same goddamn album none-the-less. Pretty amazing that they made so many timeless hits at the same time!

Few songs very famous. Interesting sounds can see how pop music could have been influenced

Wow. I had forgotten how many classics were on this album. As a casual Cars fan, I never actually owned an album, but if I were to, this would be the one! Great!

Solid New Wave album, enjoyed the whole thing.

Really nice rock album. Will listen to again! Fav songs: Just What I Needed, I’m In Touch With Your World, All Mixed Up

well done!

High technical production and good quality pop. Really good (7/10) FT: Good Times Roll, Just What I Needed

My first impression was how lackluster the filler songs are, there are no true “deep cuts” that need to see the light. Which I then realized means that all but two of these songs are genuine hits. One after another.

8/10 solid

Not bad as a debut, a bit dated now but still quite listenable

ALBUM GRADE: A- ALBUM RATING: 4.39 TRACK RATINGS: 1. Good Times Roll - 4.5 2. My Best Friend’s Girl - 4.0 3. Just What I Needed - 5.0 4. I’m in Touch With Your World - 3.5 5. Don’t Cha Stop - 3.0 6. You’re All I’ve Got Tonight - 5.0 7. Bye Bye Love - 4.5 8. Moving in Stereo - 5.0 9. All Mixed Up - 4.5

Synth heavy! A precursor to what was going to come in the decade we all know very well for too too much extra excess. The vocals sound really far back with synths front and center. A lot of pop with some punk and too much treble on the very bright but confidently played guitar. Lack of reverb is noticeable but makes each instrument easily identifiable in the mix.

So close to 5 stars. Just misses on a few songs.

This was The Cars’ debut album, released in June ‘78. The month before, Cheap Trick released their break-out album, Heaven Tonight. I put them on either side of a cassette & for the next 12 months I flogged that tape to death driving around Sydney in my girlfriend Julie’s Holden station-wagon. So I know this album well. And it gives me just as much listening pleasure as it did back then. Side 1 is flawless. And the flipside is almost as good. Ocasek could write a terrific pop song. The Cars were one in a long line of American bands that may never have existed if The Beatles had not taken America by storm. My favourite moment is the Beatles guitar line in My Best Friend’s Girl - total homage to the Fab4. The song even ends with a Yeah Yeah Yeah in the fadeout. I love this record.

A fun album, although it seems a bit derivative.

Quite a hit filled album if I do say so myself, and I had no idea a bunch of those songs were pre-1980!

This shit slaps

Really enjoyed this, a new wave classic. I was in a sort of new wave band in the 90s and I should have been trying to sound more like this rather than just make everything as loud as possible. Now I can see why it wasn't good, cos I wasn't trying to be this.

What the 80s could and should have been: fun, synthy tracks driven by a baseline of solid guitar, drums, and relatable lyricism. Not every track here stands out memorably, but those that hit do so in a huge way - "Just What I Needed" still gets airplay today and manages to sound nostalgic yet new, a throwback that still feels fresh in the modern era.

Classics from start to finish. Just enough rock'n'roll grit to be relatable and just enough new-wave polish and studio production to feel crisp and novel.

Rock and roll, and sometimes proto-shoegaze. Quite enjoyable!

for me, The Cars are probably the definition of a Greatest Hits band, classic singles but the sound is so characteristic that the album tracks become a bit samey. Probably unfair on this album as it's their debut and 2/3 of the tracks are played to death on the radio but there you go. Great album, buy the Greatest Hits!

This album has a lot of their hits which are located at the beginning. It was a relatively short album. A couple songs carried on a little to long. I would listen to it again.

Familiar with The Cars and a few tracks off the album. One song gave an Oingo Boingo vibe, overall good album!

Nice, definitely worth the listen. Will return. This could grow on me. I really liked the synths on this album when they appeared. Really liked the last two tracks There were a lot of artists in this era with that dramatic talk-singy vocal style (like the talking heads and the cure)