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Review Summary: tired dad rock While I’ve never been the biggest fan of 80s pop music, I’ve come to appreciate and respect the bands and artists that do it “right”. Within an era so obsessed with plucking simplistic three-note melodies on now-outdated synth pads, The Cars didn’t do much to differentiate themselves from the scene. Their final 80s release, Door to Door doesn’t seem to mind that it falls into this oversaturated description, making it a somewhat bland and disappointing listen overall. However, every once in a while there’s some glimpses of maturity and slight experimentation like in the slow burner ‘Fine Line’, a Sting-esque ballad of romantic reservations. It’s a song that embodies this sultry love-stricken tone much to its advantage, yet all momentum is lost once the hillbilly-bouncing waltz ‘Everything You Say’ plays immediately afterwards. Another rare flash of brilliance is found within the opener, which almost sounds like a strange glam-rock Beatles track. While it is somewhat fulfilling, it seems a bit too borrowed and familiar to be considered an entirely original breakthrough. Honestly, this album sometimes gets so oversaturated in new wave cheesiness that it feels like I’m listening to the soundtrack of an outdated 80s rom-com. Highlights aside, this album is simply an exercise in arena-rock power chords and vapid lyrics about love. I think a younger version of me would’ve appreciated the Bon Jovi sounding guitars blaring through the sparkling clean drum tracks, but such aesthetics are lost on me as of late. The album’s consistency doesn’t help this fact, and by the time the title track roars through to end the suffering, it’s too little and much too late to save this record from droning mediocrity. If there’s anything salvageable about this album, I guess it’s a cute little screenshot of the era it was released within; nothing more than a substanceless, outdated polaroid photo left on the attic floor.
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Album Rating: 2.5
short but brief as they say. done for Fripp's review thingy, cc welcome as always
| | | Definitely doesn't stand up to the first four Cars records
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
this is not what I needed, no
| | | I see what you did there
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
clever con
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I owe you one, Con, thanks. I'm wanting to get the whole Cars discography reviewed, but I wouldn't have gotten to this one anytime soon. If you weren't already a Contributor, I'd happily pos you for this.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
you're welcome man, sorry for the 1-para but didn't think this needed much else to it
| | | I like very much of this band but I never checked this album. When I say I like this band, I mean their first five albums. But, from what you wrote, I suspect this isn't just what I needed to listen to from them.
Short but nice review, Con.
| | | First 2 albums and HC slap, avoided this shit though
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
yeah for good reason. kinda sell-outy. thanks tho e2
| | | band went to crap pretty fast, but have some immortal tunes.. great review, Con, my man, nice to see you step out of your comfort zone..
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
"ya can't call em sellouts if they were never buyins," or something to that effect.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
makes it even worse, tbh. also thanks butcher, glad to have ya back (;
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
One paragraph beats the hell out of none.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
agreed ! glad I could contribute to this, was fun
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Glad to hear it. Had the feeling it was more painful for you than fun.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
just tiring is all
| | | good review con what made you review this?
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Fripp's review a random album challenge thingy, was fun as always
| | | oh props for following thru
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