[psimpson2005]

Just in case any Cars fans here have not heard, the Cars have reunited without Ric Ocassek (if you can believe it). If Occasek were involved I could enjoy the show even though Ben Orr (bass player and singer) passed away back in 2000. However, the only original members here are Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes. These two are very much a part of the Cars' sound, but Occasek was the main writer and "image" of the band. Rungren is really doing his best to imitate Occasek in the song that is posted on the www.Melodicrock.com web site.

I think it is a money grab, pure and simple. Any other people here agree / disagree?

[Screamname]

What I want to know is how Ric Ocasek got this...

"Did you meet my wife? She is blind."

[raccoonradio]

Greg Hawkes recently produced an EP by a group of teens (13-to-16) with a ska-pop sound. It helped that the dad of one member knew him and lived in town (Lynnfield, MA)!

[raccoonradio]

Some catchy tunes, but if you were to play their best-of album to someone who likes harder stuff and had never heard them before, don't play "Who's gonna drive you
home...tonight". (Good tune, but these days most likely
to turn up on "adult contemporary stations" :))

Remember Ric Osasek as the beatnik in "Hairspray" (with
Pia Zadora (Pia: "we smoke pot, play our Odetta records...
when I'm stoned, I _am_ Odetta!"

Ocasek then puts his head through a painting as Pia
starts reading "Howl" aloud.

[Doohickey]

This could be cool. I thought "Hearbeat City" was awful, but everything before that was great. "The Cars" and "Panorama" are still my favorites.

[pearlst12]

As a true Todd fan of nearly 30 years, trust me he does nothing for any other reason than to create. If you get the rock and roll encyclopedia at your local library you will find that the wizard himself has a section of credits to his name that is much more extensive than most musical heavyweights. For those of you who never liked the cars, give them a listen now. Todd has a way of growing on you. What makes him special is you never know what the old man will pull next. As far as a live show goes.... TR works a stage like a Pentecost preacher high on life! And don't forget he plays a mean axe too. Pay attention to Kasim Sultan too, he's no slouch. He is the bassist for Utopia! I guess what I'm trying to say is, change can be a beautiful thing. Don't you just love the smell of a new car? Have a nice day!

[willy-bonga]

I just saw the new cars live Saturday night.
They are incredible.
This is the most fun show i have ever seen
in my fifty baby boomer years. They have taken a rock
formula-the original Cars-and blown it wide open, thanks
to Todd, Kasim, and Prairie. Elliot and Greg were never better. The best part about it is that these guys were
obviously having a blast doing it. They took the old standards and made them much heavier and driving--like
the rock I grew up on in the 70's and 80's. As the New York Times once described it..."the music of middle class white males and their dates." They don't pretend to be anything
other than what they are--so don't give me that purist
"cars light" nonsense--these guys are great--PERIOD.

[pacman40]

After reading most of the comments, it seems to me that virtually everyone loved The Cars back in the 80's, but yet it doesn't seem like anyone has actually listened to the new CD of The New Cars or has gone to their concert before formulating an intelligent opinion.

In theory, it never seems right to "mix" musicians from different bands. The reality, however, is that Ben Orr passed away, Ric Ocasek is producing new bands on his own label, and Ric is in full support of The New Cars. He just doesn't want to tour anymore (for any lengthy amount of time anyway). Ric has said that after 12 years of record then tour then record then tour... the original Cars quietly disbanded, friendships in tact.

I commend Todd Rundgren, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes, and the new members of The New Cars for putting a tour together. As a teen, I did not have the priveledge of seeing a live concert of The Cars, and the new band gave me a second-chance to witness the cool, and original sounds from Elliot and Greg. So, give them a chance!

Like any live recording, the new CD sounds different than any studio original. It doesn't take long to enjoy the music we all once loved, just in a slightly different format. The 3 new studio songs are fantastic, and it can make you feel like a teenager again, when you anticipated a new song from your favorite group on your favorite radio station.

And for those who think they are doing this for money...you are right! Being a musician is THEIR JOB! Why shouldn't they get paid for it?

Todd, Elliot (speedy recovery), Greg, Kasim, and Prarie KEEP IT COMING!