Panorama

My favorite, hands down!

1980’s Panarama gets over-looked and having listened to it a zillion times, I still don’t see how this wasn’t one of their best records. Every track on this album delivers. It’s very early ‘80’s (literally) and it captures the New Wavish (is that a word? It is now...) sound that would deliver many, many, great bands yet to come mainstream. “Panorama leaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard Charts and delivered just one Top 40 hit (at #37) “Touch and Go” but there is so much more and this album really showcases the brilliant keyboard work of Greg Hawkes starting with “Panorama” and the equally brilliant “Don’t Tell Me No” and the sinister-sounding vibe in “You Wear Those Eyes” There is more to this album with gems “Misfit Kid”, “Gimme Some Slack” and “Running To You” This album is dominated mostly by the lead vocals of Rick Ocasek and not as much by Ben Orr. Perhaps that’s why this album at times is judged a bit harshly. However, for me, it just works. I think this record delivers because it sounds a bit different than all the others. It has a slightly darker feel to it perhaps and a lack of Top 40 material seems to suit it just well. The album from top to bottom screams an early 80’s vibe that I’ve always enjoyed and it’s a classic.

Consistently considered a lesser Cars album, it is, instead, on a par with their first two LP's and a New Wave classic. It's good top to bottom, a rarity for LP's, and belongs in any Cars fans library. Running to You is a sleeper track on side 2 and a great late night 80's punk/new wave tune.

I absolutely love this album! It has such a unique sound to it and such a different style. Probably the best Cars record in my opinion

After the excellent Candy-O this was a real dissapointment for me at the time. Should have had Ben Orr sing more songs, but the songs werent near as good as the first 2 Albums..