It's Alive! | 
 enlarge | Artist: The New Cars
Label: Eleven Seven Music
Category: Music
List Price: $16.98
Buy Used: $3.04
You Save: $13.94 (82%)
New (44) Used (28) Collectible (2) from $3.04
Rating:  66 reviews
Sales Rank: 91138
Format: Live
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 51
UPC: 846070005121
EAN: 0846070005121
ASIN: B000F3AAWA
Release Date: June 6, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Just What I Needed | | • | Let's Go | | • | Candy-O | | • | You Might Think | | • | Best Friend's Girl | | • | I Saw The Light | | • | You're All I*Ve Got Tonight | | • | Not Tonight | | • | Drive | | • | Moving In Stereo | | • | Shake It Up | | • | Dangerous Type | | • | Bye Bye Love | | • | Open My Eyes | | • | Good Time Roll | | • | Not Tonight | | • | Warm | | • | More |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
What stands out more when listening to this revival of the Cars and their cherished, iconic repertoire? The absence of the band's founding mastermind, chief vocalist/songwriter Ric Ocasek? Or the presence of Todd Rundgren, a semi-deified pop legend, as his replacement? It's Todd, by a landslide. Staunch Ocasek loyalists may argue that It's Alive--consisting of 15 live tracks (12 of them vintage Cars tunes) and three new studio cuts--is a disservice to the Boston band's legacy, but that looms as a minority viewpoint. Culled from three performances on a Southern California soundstage, the album unites two original band members (Elliot Easton on guitar and Greg Hawkes on keys--who, unlike Ocasek and original drummer David Robinson, still yearn to perform the group's music live) with Rundgren, bassist Kasim Sulton (who worked harmonic magic with Rundgren in Utopia) and drummer Prairie Prince (the Tubes). The result is an energetic paean to the Cars' power-pop heritage, capturing the band's classic feel-good vibe with all cynical subtexts intact. Rundgren, no stranger to creating mirror-like tributes to other artists' works (see 1976's Faithful), oversees almost note-for-note replications of Cars standards while slipping a little manic bite into selected lyrics ("You're All I've Got Tonight," "Bye Bye Love"). Two older Todd compositions--"Open My Eyes" (from his Nazz days) and "I Saw the Light"--make the cut, and amusingly it's the latter song, not a Cars track, on which he makes a brief lyrical flub. Rundgren is an inspired choice to fill Ocasek's role of wry lyrical observer, particularly with Sulton aboard as his heaven-sent harmonic foil. (The latter admirably handles lead vocals on "Drive," late bassist Benjamin Orr's signature song.) This disc's crucial new material--two thoughtful, midtempo, harmony-rich pieces and "Not Tonight," a witty, upbeat spin on 28-hour workdays--suggests the New Cars could be a worthy vehicle for Rundgren's polished pop instincts should the group stick together beyond summer touring. That may lead fans to start echoing the sentiment of this disc's closing track: "I want more." --Terry Wood More from Todd Rundgren and the Cars
The Cars
The Cars | 
Candy-O
The Cars | 
Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology
The Cars | 
Anthology (1968-1985)
Todd Rundgren | 
Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren | 
Anthology (1974-1985)
Utopia |
Album Description
Let the good times roll - again. This ain't your father's automobile, or your older brother's for that matter, but the emergence of The New Cars, comprised of original members of The Cars. Joining Elliot Easton on guitar and Greg Hawkes on keyboards is an all-star group of rockers: Todd Rundgren, fellow Utopia bassist Kasim Sulton, and Prairie Prince, former drummer for The Tubes. Each shares a passion for recreating the groundbreaking music of The Cars, one of the most successful (and influential) bands of the new wave era.
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| Customer Reviews:
It is strange to hear Todd's voice on Ocasek's classics November 2, 2008
Max Heffler (Houston, TX USA)
It is an enjoyable collection but it is strange to hear Todd's voice on Ocasek's classics. The best song is the original "Not Tonight"
On a Fast Track October 10, 2008
Mr. Richard D. Coreno (Berea, Ohio USA)
In the 15 live tracks and three studio cuts, The New Cars prove that the tank is filled up and ready for a jaunt on a super-speedway.
With original band members Elliot Easton (g) and Greg Hawkes (key) keeping true to the classic pop sensibilities, it is left to Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sulton (b) and Prairie Prince (d) to turn what could have been the typical greatest hits - live - tour into something special....mission is accomplished.
More than a Rundgren side project, the band has the potential to deliver some solid numbers, as the three studio cuts prove. But if this is the only time The New Cars will be taken out of the garage, it is worthy of taking the checkered flag.
 The New Cars: Hello It's Me Again. June 25, 2008
G. Merritt (Boulder, CO)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
When Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes of the original Cars decided to join forces with Todd Rundgren for the New Cars 2006 "Roadrage Tour," it seemed like the recipe for a perfect marriage. With a combined history of hits like "Just What I Needed," "My Best Friend's Girl," "It's All I Can Do," "Hello It's Me," and "I Saw The Light," both The Cars and Todd Rundgren have mastered the art of the 3-minute pop song. Rundgren said the project was "an opportunity ... for me to pay my bills, play to a larger audience, work with musicians I know and like, and ideally have some fun for a year." For Easton and Hawkes, the project was an opportunity to perform Cars material again. Having seen the New Cars perform the It's Alive setlist at its Boulder, Colorado show, the collaboration of musical talents works. This album is surprisingly good. While this it is not an album for Cars' purists, it should appeal to fans of The Cars and Rundgren alike, and is the closest thing Cars fans will ever get to a reunion album. (Cars' bassist Benjamin Orr died from pancreatic cancer in 2000. Ric Ocasek says he always hated touring and it was unlikely that he would do so again.) The live album features Easton on lead guitar and vocals, Hawkes on keyboards and vocals, Rundgren on rhythm guitar and Ric Ocasek's lead vocals, Kasim Sulton (of Rundgren's Utopia) on bass and vocals, and Prairie Prince (of The Tubes) on drums. The setlist includes:
1. Just What I Needed 4:13
2. Let's Go 3:49
3. Candy-O 2:49
4. You Might Think 3:12
5. Best Friend's Girl 4:12
6. I Saw the Light 3:02
7. You're All I've Got Tonight 5:22
8. Not Tonight 3:33
9. Drive 4:04
10. Moving in Stereo 5:14
11. Shake it Up 3:45
12. Dangerous Type 4:24
13. Bye Bye L ove 5:01
14. Open My Eyes 3:01
15. Good Times Roll 4:53
16. Not Tonight (studio version) 3:27
17. Warm (studio version) 4:03
18. More (studio version) 3:46
G. Merritt
New Cars in Overdrive December 16, 2007
Fredric A. Cooper (Los Angeles, CA)
I'm a strong believer in band lineup changes as a harbringer for renewed energy. Such is the case with The New Cars. Rock legend Todd Rundgren has stepped into the frontman role of this popular classic band and injects a fiery power into the marvelous pop nuggets here. Rundgren must know there's nothing cooler than being in a band, and he is indeed superb. It's easy to say, so I'll say it; The New Cars improve upon the old model, loaded with these super-charged live songs (plus three new ones), we get a knockout blast of non-stop power pop. Want to rock? The New Cars have arrived.
About As Good As You Can Get December 9, 2007
David J. Spuria (Webster, Massachusetts)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Here's a band that should be in retirement. And with the tragic loss of one of rock's best vocalists, Ben Orr, and with the reclusive retirement of Ric Ocasek, the New Cars are an unlikely possibility. How can anyone object to Todd Rundgren as lead vocalist? Todd could pilot almost any ship, and with his Utopian chops firmly in place, along with Eliot Easton providing the power chords, it's no wonder that this new version of the Cars is hitting on all cylinders. One listen to "Not Tonight" with it's Ric mimickery and catchy chorus and you'll see my point. The boys also are smart enough to focus their set on material that is not only vintage but legendary. The Cars first album gets a real workout, and with great results. Not only does this lineup not wind up being a lame cover band, they manage to infuse new energy and life into songs that were frozen on classic rock radio stations. In addition, the studio material could have been left off of any one of the Cars '80's offerings. Rundgren knows how to preserve and expand all at the same time. This is a surprising set from a great bunch of musicians who all should be in the Hall of Fame. Prairie Prince is amazing on drums. And it's great to see the still nerdy Greg Hawkes filling all those quirky keyboard parts. Take a chance on the New Cars, it's a great ride.
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