S ORZECH - 5/22/2011

'Move Like This' must have been a very difficult record for the surviving members of The Cars to make. Ric Ocasek in particular was very close to Ben Orr and there must have been a serious doubt in his mind at least whether the band could ever be the same without Ben. Well, the truth of the matter is of course that no new album was ever going to be able to hide the fact that there was now a gaping hole in the bands sound that could not be filled. This said, Orr would be delighted at the release of this record. Back are the group so many of us loved in the 70's, back are the quirky arrangements, back are the clipped vocal tones and yes, back are the unfathomable lyrics! HA HA In other words, The Cars are back and GOD doesn't it feel good!

After almost 24 years since their last album 'Door To Door', the group can be forgiven for being a bit 'ring rusty' and while 'Move Like This' is a triumphant return, I really hope the group will stay together now to make another record as, undoubtedly, that will be a classic. Here you feel there are just too many ghosts lingering about the studio for the boys to really be able to break away from the past and make a NEW Cars album. 'Sad Song' for example may be classic Cars but it starts with a variation of their 'My Best Friends Girl' guitar riff and you can't escape the feeling throughout this album that the group are almost having to come to terms on record with Ben Orr's passing. Likewise, Ocasek's vocal at the beginning of the ballad (and best track for me) 'Soon' sounds almost as if he is trying desperately to be Orr. Ocasek sounds eerily like Ben for the first couple of lines and it is only once the song gets going (and perhaps Ric's emotions subside) that Ric starts to sing more like Ric. This of course makes 'Soon' an emotional listen for long term fans of the band and I suspect these words alone will make Ric feel uncomfortable as - lets face it - The Cars have never been about emotion, have they?

The dilemma between wanting to sound like The Cars with Ben Orr and a NEW Cars without, even shows itself in the way this record has been produced. Some of the tracks have a more out and out rocky edge (with Greg Hawkes trademark 'kooky' synths much lower in the mix) while others just bring a smile as wide as the ocean to your face instantly ('Blue Tip' and especially 'Hits Me') as they sound so wonderfully familiar. In more typical fashion, 'Move Like This' comes with simple packaging and its booklet contains nothing much bar song lyrics. Ric and the boys have always let their music do the talking and even 'back in the day' were sometimes criticized for just getting up on stage and playing - no hello's, how's your fathers or goodbyes.

'Move Like This' is not just an album to give fans everything they always loved about The Cars, its an album to give us all hope that, in time, broken hearts can mend and the boys will find it within themselves to write a NEW CARS album.

Thanks boys - it's good to have you back - and Ric, you did the right thing, my friend, you did the right thing...