Search - Ric Ocasek :: Beatitude

The dark soul behind the pop glitz

Carl Mack | 10/26/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit that my review of this CD is somewhat biased. I came upon this album in the discount LP rack at a particularly turbulent and defining time of my life. It will therefore have a powerful sentimental impact upon me that no one else can experience. Still, there is much to be appreciated in Ocasek's first solo effort. This album was originally released near the peak of The Cars' popularity; before Heartbeat City but after Shake It Up. One would think that Ocasek was merely trying to cash in on his name; that he would effortlessly make an album full of forgettable, lightweight Cars-esque tunes. In fact, nothing is further from the truth. I must warn you, though, that you will NOT like this CD on the first listen. Maybe it's best to listen to it a few times as background music. Put it on the shelf for a while then do it again. Eventually, it may dawn on you that while none of the individual songs are particularly spectacular, the mood of the CD is infectious. It is a similar mood to that of David & David's "Boomtown": a creeping sense of urban emptiness (please do NOT search the lyrics for evidence of this; just listen and absorb). The gloomy picture of a busy freeway at twilight on the cover is a perfect representation of this. I waited over a decade for its release on CD, and now I can relive the memories. Buy it and make some memories of your own."

GREAT SOLO EFFORT

Carl Mack | Palm Springs, CA United States | 07/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Maybe Ric Ocasek decided the Cars would be his multi-platinum band and he could release his more unconvential songs on solo efforts. Whatever the case I find this to be more satisfying than anything the Cars did after it and it is chock full of interesting and moving songs. More along the lines of Panarama than over produced Cars records that would follow."

RIC'S BEST SOLO RECORD!!!

Carl Mack | 10/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first two reviews listed here pretty much tell the truth about Ric's first solo record. I compare it very much to The Cars "Panorama" because of it's starkness. I must correct the first reviewer here. The only other Cars member featured on Beatitude is keyboardist Greg Hawkes, who contributes to several songs here as well as co-writing one with Ocasek "Out of Control." Easton and Orr are not on this album."