The first phase of Boston’s The Cars ended with the release of Door to Door in 1987. Produced by Ric Ocasek, it is the first time the band didn’t use an outside producer, somewhat surprising considering the massive success the band enjoyed with the Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange produced Heartbeat City album. “Leave Or Stay”, the first track on the album certainly sounds like The Cars. The drums of David Robinson are back instead of the mostly programmed beats on the last album. Listen closely and the insipid lyrics leave a lot to be desired – “She changed into her silk/I stood there drinking milk”.
Looking back on the band’s history, Door to Door is mostly forgotten and typically ranks at the bottom of the list when publications rank albums by The Cars. Songs like “Double Trouble” and single “Strap Me In” are non-descript 80s rock songs with little personality. Where the album does pull through is when the band sticks to what they are good at – new wave pop songs with Greg Hawkes’ keyboard flashes.
“You Are The Girl” was the biggest hit on the album, peaking at #17 in the US – it has a arpeggio synth lines and solid vocals from Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. “Go Away” could have been on Heartbeat City and the sped up Western tempo of “Everything You Say” is a definite highlight. A terrific pop song with some piano trills to fill in the gaps. While not the complete dud that was expected, Door To Door does sound uninspired and the couple of lows are awful. But when it’s good, it’s solid. Likely for many reasons, the band would break up a few months after the album was released and sadly, the last one to feature Benjamin Orr who passed away from cancer in 2000.
6/10
The Light Appears 