Shake It Up, the Cars, 1981, :40
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I was way too cool at the time* to go for the Cars' studio-polished synth-pop-rock, and never really looked back until now, but this album has got some heart and energy to it. Ric Ocasek is an undeniable musical talent. I like his detached New Wave voice. Underneath the synths is a heartbeat and maybe even some funk. There's even a Dylan-like yelp on "Since You're Gone" ("I can't help it / You're so treeeeeeacherous / When it comes / To tenderness!") Never having given it more than a glance, I always thought the girl on the cover was holding up a giant mobile phone and was clearly happy to hear from the person on the other line. But in keeping with the album title, it's a girl holding a large cocktail shaker. You learn something new in so many places! Favorite tracks: "Since You're Gone," the very catchy "Shake It Up," "Victim of Love," "Think It Over."
* note: this is false
