This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
When singer and bassist Ben Orr died of pancreatic cancer in 2000, hopes that The Cars would reunite were dashed. But Tuesday marks the release of "Move Like This," the first new album since 1987 from the surviving members of the Boston band (Ric Ocasek, Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes and David Robinson)."At its best, the new album brings to mind the band's seminal 1978 debut and follow-up, "Candy-O," blending late 1970s rock with the then-percolating New Wave movement. That retro sound still is remarkably fresh and modern, thanks to deceptively simple hooks coupled with sharp guitars and inviting keyboards.The age-ism of top-40 radio won't touch this because the members are all in their late 50s and 60s, but if this music was marketed as the latest release of the Neon Trees, No Doubt or The Killers, these fun and bouncy nuggets would be smashes.No wonder vintage clothing stores are popular — even if the newer bands are like Xbox and The Cars are more like Atari. Because when it comes down to it, playing "Pong" is a lot more satisfying than "Halo."
Grade: A-