Never mind the great bonus tracks. A serious fan needs this set ANYWAY -- damn it.

I take The Cars pretty seriously -- as a band, thank you, not a necro-retro fashion/video concern. In my reviews for "Heartbeat City" and "Shake It Up", I point out that these discs are in dire need of remastering. (I just can't have CDs that are quieter and weaker than an old cassette -- can you?) Fortunately, the best of those 4th and 5th albums are decently mastered here. (Though I must add, the cold digital truth has killed my love of "Cruiser".)

Also, audiophiles may note the superior stereo separation in the earlier tracks (the Deluxe version of first album, remastered for the 2nd time, is equal to this compilation.) Stereo separation is a key part of the Cars sound. Certain instruments, effects, and vocals SIMPLY DO NOT OCCUR in both channels. Or, they weren't meant to. (Hearing the first track on this set, "Good Times Roll", was a revelation to me. The starting balance is determinedly lopsided.)

I don't see the point of reviewing the actual artistic content. The Cars were a huge success; they have many fans. For whatever irksome, idiotic reason, they are not being properly re-marketed. Their biggest-selling album languishes in its initial CD mastering. Today's teens have barely heard of them (while they listen to music which derives notably FROM them.)

I mean, for cryin' out loud, they've released and re-released virtually every cough and fart Lou Reed or Brian Wilson ever made, haven't they? (I'm a fan of both, so relax.)

This blows the previous greatest hits away. Not only does it have all those songs, it contains many other hits, key album tracks and worthy bonus tracks. Most of the Cars' individual CDs are good to great (especially the debut); if you don't have any of them, this one will do a great job filling in for those. For once, the bonus tracks on the CD actually add greatly to the collection, instead of mking you hit the Skip button. To top it off, great packaging and liner notes are included. Looks like Rhino knows how to do compilations right - they don't skimp on the Cars. A very worthy (and colorful) addition for your collection.

Well people, I'm back from that Valentine's Day bash they had in the States. Where you ask? How bold. It was some small plantation in Idaho someplace. I was invited by a fan and, hey, I figured I should go since my public persona has suffered since summer.

It was the usual Valentine's Day Masquarade party. They had 6 cupids, 4 Romeos and 3 Juliets (I sense a potential problem there!), a couple of Snow Whites, a few Prince Charmings, a cirque du soleil troupe and owners of match-making web sites. I dyed my thermalite Seer's outfit red - but that as far as I would go for this junket. It was alot of fun, that is, until that Grumpy dwarf showed up and got into an arguement with Prince Charming over Snow White. The Police were called and they made the Sting. Then everything calmed down. Did you catch my funny play on words? Probably not. I have to explain everything these days. :(

Anyway - onwards to the selection. This remarkable Cars Anthology was playing on shuffle the whole time I was there. I was really taken with it and decided that it was my next review.

The Cars, as you may recall, rode the crest of New Wave from the late 70's into the 80's. They somehow caught on with so much bouncing around at the time; disco, punk, one hit wonders etc. etc. But, somehow, they were just what we needed and produced great pop hooks and ambience that were inventive but coherent. Not too far out and not too far in - they were just right for the times.

I still recall their own "fate knockin' at the door" with "Just What I Needed". Face it. Those knockin' notes and brief guitar chords introduce you into their world. And, what a world it was. Play on words, hints and suggestions - oh yeah. Now this was really something. From that point on they just ran with it and racked up many, many hits.

What they did here is take essential cuts from all their c.d.s, throw alot of demos and an outtake into the mix, and present you with a pretty good cross-section of Cars material. Decent, very decent. Of course, the omission of "Bye, Bye Love", to my mind, is almost unforgivable. But this is what you get when you are not in control. Had I been in contact at the time with my Universe superiors, I certainly would have rallyed for an adjustment. But, anyway..........

What is so striking about most of this music is the energy that comes across. And, it's never really down-hearted. Listen to the rockin' see-saw of "My Best Friend's Girl". She's still a turn-on no matter who she's with. No down and out here. And turn-ons - in alot of instances, is the name of the game. This comes across in the needy "You're All I've Got Tonight", "Don't Cha Stop", "Let's Go", "Candy-O" etc. This music conveys the excitement- the tease in alluring popcraft. No wonder they were so successful.

In reviewing music, I always look at the vocals to be a distictive mark. In this case, Ric Ocasek is quite unique. Is he a great singer? Polished? No. But, for the format here and the "sound" of the Cars, he is perfect. Not to say that Benjamin Orr did not have great songs as well. A different vibe though, if the fans out there know what I mean.

Every segment of the Cars career has something to recommend it. I particularly like the selections from their c.d. "Heartbeat City", mainly for the more polished production and the song "Drive". My belief is that they changed the oil to super-teflon at this point. But, that is just me. To my mind, alot of what's here is a selfish over-indulgence of fun and fits a space in time that, for me at least, was very special.

In closing, a very respectable 2 c.d. set of the Cars best material. It is a shame they couldn't have lasted longer. But, musical landscapes change so quickly in popular music. Plus, maintaining high quality is a daunting task at best. Just ask me. An illustrious Seer who always strives to give you his best. It takes alot. Money to fly to Idaho for a party - a brandy snifter by my side - and many political contributions to get to where I am today. Not to mention my personal sacrifice. (!).

Have fun people-that's what life is for-- salute! - Metamorpho ;)

As a casual Cars fan in the 70's and 80's who had never owned a Cars album, I thought I would pick up their greatest hits. Luckily, I ran across this anthology while thumbing through their Amazon listings. I assumed I would recognize a few songs, with the rest being filler. What a great surprise as I listened to both disks all the way through. I was just blown away by the great songs I knew(but hadn't heard in so long) and the ones I had never heard(probably 20 of these) which were almost all fantastic tunes. 40 Cars tunes that stretch on for well over 2 hours! I am still thanking my lucky stars that I didn't buy The Cars Greatest Hits which I believe only had 11 songs on it. If it costs more than you want to spend, find it used somewhere, but don't pass it up if you are looking for some great Cars music!

At almost 2 and a half hours running time, this "Cars" is fully loaded and chock full of extras. Unless you're a completest, you are probably just as well suited with "The Complete Greatest Hits." But if you already have all the discs, then those aforementioned bonus tracks are worth it.

The Cars' debut popped out fully realized, already loaded with hit singles. The demo session songs here from that period ("Cool Fool" and "Take me Now") would certainly have sounded in place on the debut. It's also curious how "Leave Or Stay" and "Ta Ta Wayo Wayo" probably would not have. (Also that they eventually ended up on the Cars' weakest album!) The really cool cuts are the b-sides like "Don't Go To Pieces" and "Little Black Egg," and "Slipaway," which was a radio hit for Ian Lloyd (The Stories, "Brother Louie").

But it's the bulk of the singles that make this a great driving set. From "Just What I Needed" to "You Are The Girl," these were songs made to pump adrenaline and smiles. No big message, in fact, some of the lyrics would be hard to decipher even under the best circumstances! But that's not the point. The stylistic arch irony and sugary hooks made The Cars' a sound that was often imitated but never duplicated. Having two vocalists that were just distinct enough to carry leads alone but still flow seamlessly (the late Ben Orr sang The Cars' biggest hit, "Drive") was also a plus.

So I reiterate that The Cars were one of the class acts of the 80's. How much you need "Just What I Needed" depends on your desire and budget. For me, I needed it all.