THE CARS, in retrospect, were an amazing band, whose music became the soundtrack for large memorable passages of my life.

JUST WHAT I NEEDED was unlike the more mainstream sounds I was listening to in the late '70s. It established their sound, a driving (yes, driving . . .) staccato crunch crashing into a storm of New Wave guitar and keyboard. The late Benjamin Orr shared vocal duties with former Baltimorean Ric Ocasek.

Lyricist/leader Ocasek wrote clever songs with sometimes sinister undertones. Even songs like GOOD TIMES ROLL, with the Boris Karloff-like delivery sounds not much like a good time.

"Let them leave you up in the air
Let them brush your rock and roll hair
Let the good times roll"

The first 6 songs on COMPLETE GREATEST HITS come from THE CARS 1978 debut. GOOD TIMES ROLL played on my h.s. cafeteria's juke box, a favorite for chess club geeks and other introverts.

By the time I went to summer camp in 1980, I was heavily into THE CARS, boasting not only the debut, but also CANDY-O, on 8 tracks. Though 2 years old, friends and I were seriously moved by the 1 - 2 punch of YOU'RE ALL I'VE GOT TONIGHT and BYE BYE LOVE. The latter opens with a muted drum sounds and slashing guitar. BYE BYE LOVE opens bouncily enough, masking the weird angst-ridden lyrics.

"It's such a wavy midnight
And you slip into insane
Electric angel rock and roller
I hear what you're playin'"

MOVING IN STEREO was, I believe, immortalized by Judge Reinhold in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High."

CANDY-O was a good stoner album, and is not fully represented here. Sadly, the title track and GOT A LOT ON MY HEAD are excluded from this set, in favor of the more radio friendly LET'S GO and a couple others.

PANORAMA was one of THE CARS weaker releases and is represented by the single TOUCH AND GO, not one of my most favorite songs, but nothing to complain about either.

I received the SHAKE IT UP LP as a Christmas gift, possibly that first holiday visit home from college freshman year. SINCE YOU'RE GONE was the popular single, with the recurring theme of lost love, done CARS-style.

The title track SHAKE IT UP was kind of bubble gummy, not out of place with similar songs of the time, from J. Geils Band and The Tubes. It's got a pretty nifty guitar solo, but over all is somewhat redundantly pop-sounding.

The song I recall really liking was CRUISER, again NOT included here. I'M NOT THE ONE rounds out this collection's offerings from late '81 CARS, a moodier piece, which sounds like a predecessor to the '84 hit DRIVE.

THE CARS disappeared for several years before returning in '84 with the exceptionally strong HEARTBEAT CITY, co-produced by Mutt Lange, known now as husband to country pop's brick house.

I liked HEARTBEAT CITY and the fun period of MTV, when they played videos. Liner notes here mention the video for YOU MIGHT THINK (bug-like Ocasek) as directed by Andy Warhol.

DRIVE might be considered Orr's swan song, a haunting ballad, with strong vocals in front of the mix. Again, the lyrics are somewhat unsettling, which reminds me of The Police and Every Breath You Take, a stalker's obsession disguised as a pop song.

HELLO AGAIN washes over the listener, with a jaunty New Wave beat and slightly cheesy keyboards. To hear these songs now is to enjoy their quirkiness. Even while sharing certain qualities with other acts - Huey Lewis comes to mind - THE CARS were unique and relentless in their aural attack.

THE CARS sputtered to a stop in the late '80s, not without releasing a final appealing single YOU ARE THE GIRL. A number of solo projects by band members followed. Ric Ocasek went on to some noteworthy production projects.

Sadly, with Benjamin Orr's passing in 2000, any further collaborations with Ocasek or others are not possible. At this date, I don't know if THE CARS have been nominated for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

THE CARS were:

Ric Ocasek, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, Benjamin Orr and David Robinson.

I miss them, and recommend this collection or several of the popular original releases as must-haves for any lover of contemporary pop/rock.

A rare appearance by me, inspired by THE CARS, 9/11/03.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving