Just What I Needed: Anthology

The Cars | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 1995)
• Original Release Date: November 7, 1995
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000003474
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,492 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Just What I Needed

2. My Best Friend's Girl

3. Good Times Roll

4. You're All I've Got Tonight

5. Don't Cha Stop

6. Moving in Stereo

7. Take Me Now [#]

8. Cool Fool [#]

9. Let's Go

10. Candy-O

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Touch and Go

2. Don't Tell Me No

3. Shake It Up

4. Since You're Gone

5. I'm Not the One

6. Cruiser

7. The Little Black Egg [#]

8. Funtime [#]

9. You Might Think

10. Drive

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Despite musical roots that branched from the Velvets to Steely Dan and the likes of then-new wave icons Roxy Music, the Cars never strayed far from the crucial, hook-conscious, three-minute pop song sensibility which made them one of the most successful and long-lived radio staples of the '70s and '80s. As well as being catchy, Ric Ocasek's best songs are also ironic--"Good Times Roll" and "Just What I Needed" both contain winking lyrical twists. With Ben Orr vocalizing the sweeter material, guitarist Elliott Easton's and keyboardist Greg Hawke's often-quirky musical embroidery, and drummer David Robinson's rhythmic propulsion and fashion sense, the Cars became the self-contained rock juggernaut--or, if you prefer, new wave arena band--documented on these two discs.

The hit singles and select album cuts stretch from their improbably rich debut through moodier efforts like "Panorama" and the vibrant, yet satisfying "Shake It Up" and "Heartbeat City." The CD is well seasoned by a cache of previously unreleased demos, B-sides, and outtakes. The earliest of these ('77 demos of "Take Me Now" and "Cool Fool") demonstrate that the band's sound was intact before they met their first multiplatinum producer, while later rarities (playful covers of Iggy's "Fun Time" and the Nightcrawlers' "Little Black Egg") underscore their eclectic, seemingly incongruous tastes. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

45 tracks from the most popular "new wave" band of 'em all, including unreleased early demos and rare, non-LP single sides! Includes classics like My Best Friend's Girl; You're All I've Got Tonight; Let's Go; Shake It Up; You Might Think; Tonight She Comes , and more, all annotated!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding compilation, January 3, 2000

By 

Erik Vitols (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just What I Needed: Anthology (Audio CD)

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.

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunately necessary, for audiophiles and serious fans., May 14, 2005

By 

tonyscam "tonyscam" (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just What I Needed: Anthology (Audio CD)

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.)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strap me in! This collection is magic., October 28, 2004

By 

Frampton's mammal "do you feel like i do" (northern michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just What I Needed: Anthology (Audio CD)

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!