UPDATE, FEB. 22, 8:45 P.M.: Watch the Cars' new video for “Blue Tip” after the jump. Let us know what you think of their “new” sound.
ORIGINAL ITEM, FEB. 17, 11:46 P.M.: After bassist Benjamin Orr passed away in 2000, no one thought we would hear from The Cars again. Obviously after something so tragic, it was difficult to reunite with the same spirit after more than two decades and the loss of an integral member. It's been 24 years since the band released new material, and they're back with a studio album titled Move Like This. Singer/guitarist/songwriter Ric Ocasek told Rolling Stone, “I never thought I'd make another studio Cars record–the past, personalities and Ben's passing away.” Luckily for us fans, we all get to experience the magic again.
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A year ago, Ocasek wrote a slew of new songs. It dawned on him to call the band and get them back in the studio. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and upstate New York and will be released on May 10 by Hear Music. Gareth “Jacknife” Lee, who has worked with U2 and R.E.M., produced five tracks and played bass, and original members Ocasek, drummer David Robinson, guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes (who also laid down some bass tracks) did the rest. Ocasek admits that, on half of the new songs, Orr would have done a better job. He explained that he was in the studio in spirit, and that was the only way the band could get through the process.
According to RS, new songs such as “Hits Me,” “Free” and “Blue Tip” picked up where they left off in the early '80s. Hawkes admits he was “fairly surprised” when Ocasek called him to record the new album. After breaking up in 1988 over personal differences and tension in their career, Ocasek refused to reunite with Hawkes and Easton in 2005. Accordingb to Ocasek, “The only thing that got it together again was these songs.” And with that, fans can rejoice that the Cars are back and ready as ever.
The new video, “Blue Tip”:
