[.ca] Candy-O

As good as their first one, possibly better:
Candy-O (1979.) Cars' second album. In the late seventies, The Cars came onto the rock and roll scene out of Boston. The band released their self-titled album in 1978, and listeners quickly learned that it was the perfect cross between new wave and rock and roll. In the following year, 1979, the band recorded and released the follow-up to their debut. How does the band's sophomore effort, Candy-O, measure up? Read on for my review. This album follows stylings similar to the band's first album, but it adds in just enough new elements to keep things fresh. The result is another five-star album. Several of the band's biggest hits came from this album - not as many as came from the debut, but a decent number nonetheless. The catchy pop-friendly numbers Let's Go and It's All I Can Do can be found here. And, of course, one of the joys of this album, as opposed to any other Cars album, is that you get to explore a darker, more hard rock-oriented side to the band. The title track achieved some popularity, and why not? Its rock stylings are unparalleled. And who could forget the other track of these stylings, Dangerous Type? This track features some of the band's finest lyrics, and the guitar playing is nothing short of excellent. And, of course, it doesn't stop with the hits. Through and through, this managed to be an excellent album. It covers more musical ground than the group's 1978 debut did. And, in my opinion, the band could not have ended the seventies on a higher note. This was The Cars' second album, but it was also their last great one. Following this album, the band began to ditch their rock and roll roots and go for a sound that was all pop and no rock (this is demonstrated beautifully in their eighties hit, Shake It Up.) Candy-O stands as one of only two of the band's true masterpieces. If you're a fan of classic rock, do not hesitate to add this album to your collection. And don't forget the debut!

their masterpiece:
This is the best album by the Cars in my opinion although their debut is right up there too. The Cars continued the same formula on Candy-O, but it works. This album has nothing but great songs from the opener "Let's Go" to the closer "Dangerous Type". My favorite songs are the "Shoo be doo" intro and how it breaks into the title track "Candy-O". This album sounds timeless even though it came out in 1979, it is a New Wave classic.

seminal music:
Candy O stunned me when it first appeared in eight track form in my high school hands, and along with liberal doses of Van Halen and Ramones taught me that music could zig and zag and needn't follow any pre-programmed direction. As another reviewer earlier mentioned, if the intro to the title track doesn't get you rolling you must be dead, and "It's All I Can Do" still beats 95% of the crap that passes for pop music these days. A must have.

No sophmore slump here!:
For a lot of bands, their second album makes or breaks them. For the Cars, Candy-o take the best elements from their debut and adds a much more mature direction. "Let's Go" kicks things off wonderfully, with a catchy synth line Ben Orr's fantastic vocals. "Since I Held You" is a great song. At first it starts out with a quirky guitar riff before the song becomes more emotional, and towards the end, Elliot plays a great guitar solo. "Candy-o" picks up the pace a bit, and features possibly Elliot's best guitar solo yet (even if it's only a few seconds long). "Nightspots" is cool too; heavy riffs, wacky vocals, and loud keyboards. To end it all is "Dangerous Type," and I really can't understand why this song doesn't get more airplay. Totally reccommended for fans of the Cars, and anyone who like artsy rock.

Candy-o is so Dandy-o:
I am a huge Cars fan. I have all the albums on vinyl. This is probably my favorite. I wore out my first copy on vinyl so i had to buy another one.The old one is framed on my wall because the artwork is so cool. The album does not have a bad song on it. With great keyboards by Greg Hawkes,awesome guitar by Elliot Easton, and great vocals by Ric Ocasek and the late great Benjamin Orr. This is one great album, the title track is just phenomenal to listen to and so are "Let's Go", "Double Life",and "Nightspots".The Cars rule new wave!

• Let's Go
• Since I Held You
• It's All I Can Do
• Double Life
• Shoo Be Doo
• Candy-O
• Night Spots
• You Can't Hold on Too Long
• Lust for Kicks
• Got a Lot on My Head
• Dangerous Type