Hidden Gem: The Cars

It is time to delve deep into Pops’ record collection again. Today having a day off all by myself means spinning the vinyl at incredible decibels to the point of shaking pictures off of the wall. Don’t tell the wife, though.

Today I came up with something I like to refer to as the illegitimate child of punk and surfer music that we call new wave. The third best band out of the Boston area known as The Cars is one that helped define my musical tastes in my formative years.

With the beautifully crafted keyboard melodies of Greg Hawkes, the thundering, glue-like bass lines from part time vocalist Benjamin Orr to the snoopiness of rhythm guitarist and other vocalist Ric Ocasek, the eponymous debut by The Cars is beautiful yet dirty sounding simultaneously. The brilliantly crafted chords of “Good Times Roll” and “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” make you want to sing out loud and dance in the streets.

This album mixes the poppiness of “Don’t Cha Stop” with the creepiness of “Moving In Stereo” which still evokes visions of the super sexy pool scene with actress Phoebe Cates from the cinematic quasi-genius of Fast Times At Ridgemont High.

The Cars continued in this vein until the mid 80s when the pop bug bit them full on culminating with the death of Orr and the bastardizing of The Cars name by continuing without him and leader Ocasek with a replacement in the less than stellar Todd Rundgren.

Albums like this 1978 classic, although epitomizing a short time in music history, can still feel new today. For your listening pleasure here is my favorite tune from the record “Moving In Stereo“:

(Yes, these are acid trip versions of Harry Potter clips.)

Here, also from this record, is the closing track, the quite beautiful song “All Mixed Up“:

(Not quite sure what Japan-imation has to do with this track but oh well.)

Real Heroes

Today is Veterans Day. Today is a day that I have off from work I suppose so that I can celebrate. Not having ever been in the military I guess it is a just a day that I take for granted and enjoy not working.

I decided to look back through my family tree to remember my relatives that were brave enough to serve their country so that I can lead the life that I lead today.

– There is my Uncle Don on Pops’ side of the family who served as a Sergeant in the Army during the Korean War.

– There was Uncle Larry who spent time in the Navy.

– My Uncle Joe who I have referred to here as Uncle Sgt. Slaughter, served in the Air Force having spent time in Korea.

– Uncle Steve, known as Uncle Marine, served in the Persian Gulf War.

– My wife’s grandfather served in the Navy during World War II.

– Uncle Ron (or Uncle Ted Nugent) spent time in the Air Force.

– The wife’s Uncle Larry served in the Army.

– My father-in-law, Ivan TT, retired from the Army after 20+ years, as a Sergeant 1st Class and having served in the Vietnam War.

– My brother-in-law, El Capitan, is currently serving as (you guessed it) a Captain in the Army. He served two year long tours during the current Iraq War but is currently home right now. During the Persian Gulf War in the 90s he served time in Saudi Arabia as a member of the Marine Corps.

– There is my Uncle Don from Moms’ side of the family. He lied to get signed up for World War II. He was under age at the time and wouldn’t let him serve otherwise.

I am sure that I have missed some of my relatives in this list. For those of them that I have listed here and the few that I may have missed as well as all of your relatives and friends that have served or are currently in the military, we say Thank You!