When The Cars set out to record Door To Door, the plan was to return to their roots. Remove the studio tricks, and just get back to basics of recording in the studio with all band members. This was of particular importance to drummer David Robinson, who had become alienated since 1984's Heartbeat City from the heavy use of drum machines.
Also utilized for the album were a handful of tracks which initially only existed in demo form from their original inception in 1977. These included Ta Ta Wayo Wayo, and Leave Or Stay, the latter which up to this point the band had continued to perform live, despite not being officially recorded and released.
Unfortunately, Door To Door would be the worst performing album for the band. The three singles, You Are The Girl (peaking at 17), Strap Me In (peaking at 85) and Coming Up You (peaking at 74), also failed to perform better then anticipated.
I suppose in hindsight, the biggest problem with Door To Door would be the step back that the band took. However, for me, I don't mind this. The album delivers a mix of pop and rock tunes, all in the spirit of The Cars.
While I didn't hear anything that I didn't like, I will say that unlike previously releases, I wouldn't call this one "perfect". There are better tracks than others, and these standouts were, for me, You Are The Girl, Double Trouble, Everything You Say, Ta Ta Wayo Wayo, and Strap Me In.
I will say that I more so favored the Benjamin Orr led tracks this time around. They just seem peppier, though, I suppose they usually do.
Overall, it's a good album, a decent way to close out the 80's, but also disappointing that it was the last to feature all the core memebers.
When Door To Door failed, The Cars opted to disband in 1988. Granted, this wasn't the only reason for the split. Things had been coming to a head between Ric Ocasek, and Benjamin Orr, who conflicted with each other over songwriting. This wasn't helped by studio pressure, and the band's overall lack of desire to tour at this point. Rather than continue on, they decided to just walk away.
While they would eventually reunite for a final studio album, 2011's Move Like This, sadly, it would be without Benjamin Orr, who passed away in 2000. Ric Ocasek would also pass away in 2019, bringing officially an end to the band. The Cars were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame just one year prior to his death, and final bow wrapped around their legacy.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS December 2, 1989 |
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