Search - Cars :: Door to Door

Door To Door

Z. Hilgefort | Lakewood, Colorado | 08/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After all the reviews I've read about this album, I was expecting it to be a total downer. Suprisingly, it isn't, at least to me. There isn't one song on Door To Door that I dislike, and a few of them I really find to be among the band's best. Overall though, it's still the Cars' weakest album. Most of the magic that had surrounded Heartbeat City and their great 1985 single 'Tonight She Comes' (my favorite Cars song) had worn away by 1987. Most of the band members seemed more interested in their solo albums working on Door To Door. It's no wonder they split up after this album. At least it starts out great, with 'Leave or Stay', packed with more of that familiar Ric Ocasek humor and a nice, melodic chorus. After that comes the sole 'hit' on Door To Door, 'You Are The Girl'. A charming song with some of the band's best harmonies, and pretty, trademark keyboard-driven melody. There's still magic here at least. This was the first Door To Door song I'd ever heard, as it was also on The Cars Complete Greatest Hits collection. 'Double Trouble' is good, but not great, though it has a good chorus and driving guitars. 'Fine Line' is one of my favorite Cars songs. Moody, atmospheric, and filled with great lyrics, this has, like 'You Are The Girl', a classic Cars feel. One reviewer dubbed 'Fine Line' as a limp 'Drive' remake, though it's always reminded me more of 'A Dream Away' from the Shake It Up album or 'You Wear Those Eyes' from Panorama. Possible the best song on Door To Door. Then there's 'Everything You Say' which is one of a few of the songs on this album that has a different feel than your average Cars song. It's almost country or rockabilly-ish. I still like it though. Another great chorus. 'Ta Ta Wayo Wayo' is weird and different, but still quite good. Reminds me of Sandinista!-era Clash, sort of. Check out that boogie-woogie piano riff; very weird for a Cars song. 'Strap Me In' is a failed single, which is too bad, since it's a great, classic-feeling Cars rocker. Killer chorus; should've stormed the charts. Killer intro too, very stately and classical. The next song, 'Coming Up You', I really love. It's bordering on soft rock, but I don't care. Can't get enough of that melody and Ben Orr's honey voice. Miss 'im. This was yet another failed single, but I can't get enough listens to it. 'Wound Up On You' is a wonderful ballad, a la 'Why Can't I Have You'. Pretty chorus, filled with soft, subtle hooks. Shoulda been a single. 'Go Away' is more friendly than the title implies, with the narrator imploring his significant other, "why don't we go away?". This one also has a great hook in the chorus, and no matter what people say about this album, the Cars' gift for songcraft and melody still remains intact. The last song on the album, and the last Cars song ever, is the near-punk attack of the title track. This one is a bit of a mess, production-wise, but I guess we all got used to the slickness of Heartbeat City. It's not bad, but coulda been better, just like most of this album. Though I like Door To Door for the most part, I just wish they'd more and better albums after this one. Ah well. Any car can run out of gas."

One of the cds i a"door" most

the honorable | new jersey | 03/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"the cars' album "door to door" was released in the latter half on 1987. it's true that most people say this album was a disaster and really killed the group, but i say don't judge so quickly. it's apparent that this album is so very little like "heartbeat city" but that's the beauty of it! "door to door" has more of a rock and roll feel to it as opposed to "heartbeat city" (although "h.c." is still a great album.). people really underappreciated this album, featuring the extremely catchy "you are the girl" which is toward the beginning of the album. this is such a happy song you gotta love it. after that is the flipside of the coin with "double trouble" probably my favorite cut on the album. this song is great hard rock. although it's very simple and i was waiting for more guitar work from elliot, this song will keep your ears attentive for the whole song. next is one of their old songs from '77 that was released finally on "door" called "ta ta wayo wayo". this song is also very addictive as ric croons out another tune and david robinson controls the drums. "coming up you" displays some great vocals and synths and should be one to check out. the song "fine line" is another catchy tune that will keep you rocking. and finally, the brilliant "strap me in" displayed that the cars can still rock, with that catchy elliot easton guitar lick. this album should have gotten more attention. this album shouldnt have killed the cars career like it appeared that it did. although not on the levels of "panorama", "the cars", and "candy-o", this album deserved to go multiplatinum. the reason why this album did so poorly is because they had gone completely pop with "heartbeat city" and to come out with this was like night and day. all the bandwagon jumpers were there for 1984 but when "door to door" was released it didn't have all those happy-go-lucky songs so the bandwagon tools jumped off, hence the extreme decline in sales for this. if you are a real cars fan you will appreciate this album for what it's worth. definately buy it"

An Excellent Farewell Album For A Great American Band!

Rob G | Dayton, OH | 10/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Cars "Door to Door" is a classic example of a underrated rock album. Some of the critics obviously didn't get it however, fans and critics who know The Cars albums back to the beginning in '78 understand that "Door to Door" is an exellent very diverse album covering many music styles from the rocking "Strap Me In" and pop sounding "You Are the Girl" to the punk sounding title track "Door to Door" down to the softer sound of "Comming Up You" sung by Ben Orr. All of the songs are done with a true reflection of The Cars styles of previous albums while also showing a more mature sound. Producer Ric Ocasek does a great job in keeping the album sounding consistent, strong and not overly Produced. "Door to Door" is highly recommended and a superb foll-up to the very successful "Heartbeat City". A great ending to The Cars studio albums!"