Customer Reviews

Start the Car

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the pleasant pop of "A View From Third Street," Jude Cole shifted gears to a more heartland rock sound. Nowhere is that more evident than the disc's title song lead-off, a combination of Springsteen/Mellencamp that rocks harder than anything from his previous two albums. I remember this album coming out just as I received a job transfer from Los Angeles to Nashville, TN, and it was a mainstay in my CD player through the three day drive.

The solid rock snap-to of the title track was just the kind of kick I needed to get a day on the road started. To this day, I can pull out the polished heartbreak of "Tell The Truth" ("let's start it over, or call it over...") the sad sack story of "First Your Money" and the been-there, done-that world weariness of "A Place in the Line" and I can instantly retrace my steps on I-10 and I-40.

So to say that I enjoy this disc even now is a correct assessment. It holds a cherished spot in my library next to other albums of the period by John Mellencamp, Del Amitri and Tom Petty. The production of James Newton Howard is also a standout, and again brings touches of Elton John to this disc. Highly recommended for those who thought "Third Street" wasn't rootsy enough.

I won't go so far as to compare Jude Cole with the Beatles, but you'd better hear this disc. How does this guy come up with this many top notch pop songs? I've been listening to it since the year it was released and I never tire of it. Truly an overlooked masterpiece.

Jude Cole is one of the most under-rated artists of the last few decades. START THE CAR is one of those albums that the more you listen to it, the more important it becomes to your music collection. There just isn't a weak song on the entire album. From the obvious radio appeal of the title track and "Just Another Night", the wonderful simplicity building to full blown production of "The Open Road", the lyrical depth of "Tell the Truth" (how this song doesn't become a AC format smash totally escapes me), the guitars turned loose on "It Comes Around", to the autobiographical story-telling in "Right There Now" and "Place in the Line", all the songs are solid. Then factor in Mr. Cole played everything except drums and keyboards, and...uh...can you say "talent"? This is one that will not gather dust in your CD holder.

I hadn't heard it in years, I had Start the Car and 3rd Street as cassettes back in the 80's and 90's. So I bought it as a CD recently. The first time I listened to "Worlds Apart" again, I just hung my head and the waves of melancholy just flooded over me. It brought back bittersweet memories, which all had such meaning, it's amazing how music can trigger such strong feelings and memories. And Jude Cole was indeed a soundtrack to a great time in my life, I had just moved to LA, and was in a relationship,and so high on living in California I could hardly stand it. I have not, and will not ever feel like that again. And it wouldn't have been what it was without the music of Jude Cole. How his music and lyrics didn't reach a much higher level of popularity I will never know, but, all the more for the rest of us who really cherish him!

This CD is all that and a piece of cake! I won this CD in a trivia contest in 1992. "Hmmm... how good can it be if they're giving it away?" I popped it into the CD player thinking that I'll eject it and donate it to the library. Aaahhh.... it was and still is one of my all-time favorite albums. Why so many untalented singers/musicians/songwriters have made so much money/fame while Jude Cole languished in obscurity is still a mystery to me.

Just a super CD with one of the most exceptional song writers/vocalists, musicians ever, in my mind. All of these songs here are beautifully crafted and a sheer joy to listen to.

BUY IT!!!

I ordered this from StarboundRecords thru Amazon. I received the cd very quickly and in perfect condition. I recommend using them. I've been looking for this cd for years and had almost given up on ever getting it.

Start the Car was my introduction to Jude Cole and I've been a fan ever since. My favorites on the cd are 'Worlds Apart' 'Right there Now' and 'When it comes Around'. A great collection of songs, all written by Cole.

I think this CD is even better than A View from 3rd Street. All great songs with superb vocals.

"Start the Car" was the only radio hit, but there isn't a song on the album that isn't instantly catchy.

From his first single off of View from 3rd St., I was a big Jude Cole fan. Anxiously awaiting his next album, I was very pleased. This is an album full of introspection, and all the the songs sound deeply personal, yet still general enough that you can relate, especially if you have had some breakup problems. Just now thinking about it, it is a great "guy" album about relationship situations, as is "View...". Not overly sentimental, at times bitter yet comical at once, but still true to heart. Unfortunately, in my opinion, everything must have gotten better for him personally after this album, because His next album got very mellow and soothing, as if he had nothing to complain about. The fact he had stuff to complain about was what made his first two so good. Have not heard his latest, Falling Home, but looking into getting it to see. Start with "Start...", and go from there...