Music : Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0081227350628
Label: Elektra / Wea
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
Number Of Discs: 2
Publisher: Elektra / Wea
Release Date: November 07, 1995
Sales Rank: 25198
Studio: Elektra / Wea
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
Despite musical roots that branched from the Velvets to Steely Dan and the likes of then-new wave icons Roxy Music, the Cars never strayed far from the crucial, hook-conscious, three-minute pop song sensibility which made them one of the most successful and long-lived radio staples of the '70s and '80s. As well as being catchy, Ric Ocasek's best songs are also ironic--"Good Times Roll" and "Just What I Needed" both contain winking lyrical twists. With Ben Orr vocalizing the sweeter material, guitarist Elliott Easton's and keyboardist Greg Hawke's often-quirky musical embroidery, and drummer David Robinson's rhythmic propulsion and fashion sense, the Cars became the self-contained rock juggernaut--or, if you prefer, new wave arena band--documented on these two discs.
The hit singles and select album cuts stretch from their improbably rich debut through moodier efforts like "Panorama" and the vibrant, yet satisfying "Shake It Up" and "Heartbeat City." The CD is well seasoned by a cache of previously unreleased demos, B-sides, and outtakes. The earliest of these ('77 demos of "Take Me Now" and "Cool Fool") demonstrate that the band's sound was intact before they met their first multiplatinum producer, while later rarities (playful covers of Iggy's "Fun Time" and the Nightcrawlers' "Little Black Egg") underscore their eclectic, seemingly incongruous tastes. --Jerry McCulley
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
Released in 1995, this is the ultimate way of acquiring (almost) all the band's biggest hits plus a pile of underrated album cuts. The Cars is probably one of the most influential bands of the late 70's new wave movement. All the band's six albums are represented and they are: the self-titled debut "The Cars" (1978), "Candy-O" (1979), "Panorama" (1980), "Shake It Up" (1981), "Heartbeat City" (1984), and "Door To Door" (1987). In addition to album songs, you also get quite a few rare demos and outtakes too! The line-up never changed throughout the years and it featured Rick Ocasek on rhythm guitar/vocals, Elliot Easton on lead guitar, Greg Hawkes on keyboards, Benjamin Orr on bass/vocals, and David Robinson on drums.
From their debut, one of the best is the first one "Just What I Needed", it may be their most popular song they ever did! It's a perfect example of the band's distinctive sound with Ocasek's trademark palm muted rhythm guitar playing, catchy melodies, memorable synth lines, steady drumming from Robinson, and Easton's melodic lead playing. Other favorites are "My Best Friend's Girl", and "Moving In Stereo". The second release "Candy-O" includes the radio hit "Let's Go", the title track, and one of the best is "Double Life"! The third record is the only one that didn't produce a major radio hit, but is one of their most underrated as evidenced by the title track, "Gimme Some Slack", and "Don't Tell Me No". Their fourth offering and last album to be produced ... Read More
Rating: -
Well people, I'm back from that Valentine's Day bash they had in the States. Where you ask? How bold. It was some small plantation in Idaho someplace. I was invited by a fan and, hey, I figured I should go since my public persona has suffered since summer.
It was the usual Valentine's Day Masquarade party. They had 6 cupids, 4 Romeos and 3 Juliets (I sense a potential problem there!), a couple of Snow Whites, a few Prince Charmings, a cirque du soleil troupe and owners of match-making web sites. I dyed my thermalite Seer's outfit red - but that as far as I would go for this junket. It was alot of fun, that is, until that Grumpy dwarf showed up and got into an arguement with Prince Charming over Snow White. The Police were called and they made the Sting. Then everything calmed down. Did you catch my funny play on words? Probably not. I have to explain everything these days. :(
Anyway - onwards to the selection. This remarkable Cars Anthology was playing on shuffle the whole time I was there. I was really taken with it and decided that it was my next review.
The Cars, as you may recall, rode the crest of New Wave from the late 70's into the 80's. They somehow caught on with so much bouncing around at the time; disco, punk, one hit wonders etc. etc. But, somehow, they were just what we needed and produced great pop hooks and ambience that were inventive but coherent. Not too far out and not too far in - they were just right for the times.
Read More
Rating:  -
I can understand a 12-15 track "greatest hits" release including a preponderance of pop hits which are not TRULY the band's best recordings, and excluding some really good music that didn't get much airplay. But for heaven's sake, on a 40 track anthology? Unacceptable!
Basically, there is no legitimate reason for the 1st album's "All Mixed Up" and "Bye Bye Love" to have not been included in this set. Candy-O's "Since I Held You" and "You Can't Hold On," two of its best tracks, are also absent. Furthermore, to NOT sequence "Double Life" and "Candy-O" together (yes, along with their bridge "Shoo Be Do") is an idiotic effort, at best.
From the remaining albums (which went progressively downhill), the producers seem to have done a decent job of including the albums' best works (perhaps with the exception of them excluding "Misfit Kid," "Panorama," and "Victim of Love") with their sometimes difficult to stomach radio and video hits (e.g. "Shake it Up" -- I'd rather have ROOT CANAL than to ever have to listen to that song again!).
I've burned my own anthology from my Cars collection, and for those who want a better listening experience, I would strongly suggest you purchase (or, in the case of anything after Panorama, borrow) the individual albums and do the same.
Rating: -
They chose to leave out the song that put the Cars on the radio? And some of these choices are not just what I needed; better left to a complete-est CD for those who must have every song no matter what. "All mixed up" would have been a better choice than some of the out takes they put on the set. Which points up the main weakness of the Cars; on Shake it up and later recordings they had become locked into the Techno sound and it seems that it was imposable for them to break the mold and they died out with the `80s.
Rating: -
An outstanding 40 song compilation on 2 CDs. Owning this arguably eliminates the need for owning any individual Cars albums (I have them all). Packing these tunes onto 2 CDs allowed the producers to include all the best songs and even a few alternative numbers . . . unreleased demos and covers. Cool.
I noticed that Reviewer Larry Davis wrote that the playlist was perfect except that Dontcha Stop should have been replaced with Bye Bye Love. I concur. It would have made this collection perfect. But that is not a deal breaker. If you enjoy The Cars, this is just what you need.
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