The Cars: Move Like This (2011)

It's been over 20 years since the original Cars released an album but after years of flat out refusing to get the band back together, head driver Ric Ocasek finally reconsidered and Move Like This is the result of the bands reformation. By retaining the mix of hard rock guitars and new wave synthesizers, the Cars manage to pull off the trick of sounding exactly like the band did when they broke up but also not sounding like a dated relic. The upbeat songs like "Blue Tip," "Sad Song" "Keep on Knocking" and "Free" are all good tracks and will add to the bands legacy but they all lack the giant hooks and charm that defined much of the Cars best music. Because bassist and co-lead singer Benjamin Orr passed away from cancer in 2000, Ocasek was forced to sing every song himself and the slower songs "Soon" and "Take Another Look" are just not suited to his jagged vocal style. They would have greatly benefited from Orr's smoother voice. While it's certainly nice to have one of the better new wave bands together and making new music again and Move Like This is far from a bad album, it's not on the level of the bands best work.

Rating: 3

Track Listing:

1. "Blue Tip" (3:13)
2. "Too Late" (4:01)
3. "Keep on Knocking (3:52)
4. "Soon" (4:23)
5. "Sad Song" (3:38)
6. "Free" (3:17)
7. "Drag On Forever" (3:37)
8. "Take Another Look" (4:47)
9. "It's Only" (3:01)
10. "Hits Me" (3:51)