ARTIST: The Cars
ALBUM: Move Like This
LABEL: Hear Music
RELEASE DATE: May 10, 2011
Classic Cars
Written by Katie J. Norris
The Car’s new album, is a combination of The Cars meets The Cars. Almost twenty-five years since their last album and this new release sounds just as classic. The only major change is the loss of bassist and co-lead singer, Benjamin Orr, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2000. The band made a wise choice in not finding a replacement, and instead reunites the remaining members, despite Ric Ocasek’s history of constant convictions that this would never happen.
Move Like This is as mainstream as it can be while sticking to the original, specific, independent-rock feel that has influenced so many other bands over the years. Picking up where they left off, and in the style of their biggest hits like “Just What I Needed,” “Drive” and “My Best Friend’s Girl,” this album kicks off with a whole new set of singles sounding reminiscent of the aforementioned songs. “Blue Tip” opens the album with a synthy-pop percussion, bouncy keyboards, and Ocasek’s famous vocals. “Too Late” follows a tune as catchy as ever with rhythm that bobs your head for you. Other hits on this album are “Sad Song” (surprisingly upbeat despite the irony of the title), and arguably, the ballad, “Soon.” However, no song on this album feels like a filler. Along with Ric Ocasek’s vocals and guitar, Elliot Easton’s springs on lead guitar, Greg Hawkes’ controls the keys, David Robinson is on drums, and Jacknife Lee steps in to produce five of the ten tracks (the band producing the others themselves). Hawkes and Easton help out to alternate the recording of the bass line and harmonies in Orr’s place.
The light, colorful, edgy-pop sound of this album that keeps the new wave style new is so present some would argue that it deters from attracting a fresh set of fans in this day and age. However, the volume of avid Cars followers is enough to sustain a huge interest in this unique album and possibly even influence a new generation. The Cars are currently on tour for Move Like This, which was released May 10, 2011. Album info, tour dates and music videos can be found on their website: www.thecars.org