so many good albums in this thread! I’m throwing this little ditty into the hat. These guys had skills to share with the neo pop world- the emo transition from Good Times Roll to Just What I Needed is genius. So good. I’m smiling, just thinking about it, envious of the hold Rick and Benji had over their audience.
The Cars self-titled debut is stuffed so full of stone cold classics that it’s hard for me to choose one song to post about. Ocasek’s songwriting is so simple and ear wormy, and I love that he shares vocals with the completely underrated Ben Orr (who sings on the albums most popular songs). ive been self soothing with this whole album because it’s such a thrill. you ought to do the same. i think it could help you get through the summer! good times roll is by far my fav ocasek-vocal track. i love his lyrics. he’s like if julian casablancas were actually cool. i cant stop thinking about the guitar at 1:45 (thanks eliot easton!). also that album cover! so seductive, kind of unsettling. let them leave you up in the air
let them brush your rock and roll hair
let the good times roll
This track is really nice. Sure it’s about a guy driving around freeways chatting up some prostitutes. I was surprised that this was almost not on candy-o also… it’s so catchy. this actually reminds me of steely dan thematically- some aging no longer joe cool trying to talk himself up to just about anyone who’ll listen, keeping the dooming and looming at bay by chattering away, those scary feelings inadequacy at bay with his fast car, fast ladies, and a good book. trying to find something or someone to stroke that boomer ego. it’s really just a great driving around song (as almost any Cars song is)- but this one is just a touch more ironic, yet also plaintive. lift me the wondermaze
alienation is the craze
and it’s all gonna happen to you
I've loved this album since high school and still rediscover it every few months, less and less lately, but every time I do it reminds me why i bought it on cassette online so I could play it in my shitty bluetooth-less Volkswagen driving around the jersey shore. Such a perfect album. Pink chimneys in Maine Couldn't keep me away.
The beat is infectious, confident lyrics, full of substance (!), inspired by the medley from last week’s Strictly Come Dancing opening number as broadcast in the UK.