Fretplay.com The Cars CD reviews The Cars guitar tabs The Cars CD reviews The Cars tabs Heartbeat City


The Cars - Heartbeat City Audio CD

A fair review of the The Cars "Heartbeat City" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Cars reviews here, or go back to the The Cars tabs.

The Cars Band: The Cars
Title: Heartbeat City
Rating:
Release Date: 2009-02-10
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Hello Again 2: Looking for Love 3: Magic 4: Drive 5: Stranger Eyes 6: You Might Think 7: It's Not the Night 8: Why Can't I Have You 9: I Refuse 10: Heartbeat City

No matter which version, it's just awful
Let's start with the title -- how much dreck oozes from a title like "Heartbeat City"? And the lyrics? "Summer, summer, summer, summer, it turns me upside down"? Like it was written by a 6 y. I agree with others who've called this a huge disappointment compared to earlier Cars albums. o. And the sound is just generic synth. I think the reviewer who suggested that they were older and just not that into it anymore probably hit the nail on the head; I think there's probably more energy and a hint of desperation in a band's earlier works that goes out the window when they've made it and aren't dependent on the next gig to make rent. Anyway, this album can't hold a candle to Cars or Candy-O.


Heart and Soul
They brought some serious attitude to the music world. When the Cars first came onto the scene they were more than just different. While they may not be directly responsible for the new wave move they sure helped it out as a major driving force. As the years went by The Cars continued to put out excellent material. As far a pure pop sensibility "Heartbeat City" was their tour-de-force. I still consider their first release, "The Cars" and "Heartbeat City" their finest moments in music. As far as the disc goes. . . . . it's pure gold! No pun intended. I have the original CD release and while it sounds, "OK", this disc blows it away. If you are a true Cars fan then this disc is a must have on your dream list.


Heartbeat City: Audio Fidelity
First let me comment on the Audio Fidelity issue of this album: Oh. . this sounds fantastic. I don't understand the many complaints, so I felt the need to throw down, and give props. Excellent sound quality. I love it! Rich, smooth, clear and crisp. Sparkling highs and perfectly balanced bass. Everything sounds wonderfully balanced. Even. Fantastic! I don't have any other versions to compare. . . but I'm familiar enough with early CDs: anemic, thin sound, missing frequencies. . . and CDs of late: awfully loud, frequency overload, balance-challenged, ear-pain. As well, I'm familiar with early 80s recordings. . . of which this is, and I've never heard one sound this wonderful. This is absolute ear candy! Smooooooth!!! The synths sound great and there's so much wonderful stereo play. I don't think any fan of this album would be disappointed. It helps to have a nice setup. . . on a great headphone getup like I've got going right now. . . this is marvelous.

Now, the album. It's really good. I think it's my favorite Cars album. I'm not a Cars expert. . . but I love this album. Sorry. . . back to the sound. . . the bass on "Heartbeat City. . . here we come!" Is just delicious. I could slice it up and serve it for supper! You can hear everything going on,. . . which is quite a lot: synths going round, guitars, vocals popping in and out. Diggin' it. But what a great album. . . I'm actually sad when it ends, because it's so addictive and good sounding and good feeling. But I can just play it again. Four times in a row, thus far! That's insane. I don't know when I've EVER done that. 5 biggie-size stars for the mastering and for the album.

Spin number 5. . . . "Hello! Hello again. . . ".


Don't be scammed. Skip this "audiophile" issue, buy the regular disc and save $17.00
However, some facts are as follows: 1. Whether or not this release represents "the best sounding music you can buy, period!" is a purely subjective call. There are documented defects with this disc including errors with the HDCD encoding and extended gaps between tracks that do not exist on prior issues of Heartbeat City. Steve Hoffman implies these gaps were always the intention of The Cars and Mutt Lange and the segues were added after the fact. There is ample evidence to suggest that this is not the case. 2. This "Kensei Audio Transposer" that Audio Fidelity touts DOES NOT EXIST anywhere outside of being mentioned in promotional materials for Audio Fidelity. People who ask about this device on Steve Hoffman's own forum are subject to having their posts deleted and are subsequently banned from the forum. It seems to me that the more impressive they try to make the name of something, the more likely it is to be snake oil, particularly when it comes to audio.

I would advise anyone in the market for Heartbeat City to sidestep this mess and get the standard issue CD.

.


Egomaniac engineer hijacks The Cars "Heartbeat City"
On the original LP,tape and CD,the songs flowed without interruption. This "audiophile" gold CD is ruined by the "mastering engineer" Steve Hoffman's decision to ignore the original pacing,presention and intent by the band and producer Mutt Lange by adding unnecessary gaps between the songs. Secondly,the HDCD(means "high-definition CD")encoding causes audible popping and clicking sounds at the end of each song. And lastly,the sound isn't even that much improved over the old 1980's CD which you can buy for only $6. 99-7. 99 at most retail outlets. Don't waste your money on this bastardaztion of an 1980's rock classic,which get 5 stars in its original CD form.


You can see a complete list of all The Cars discography, or go back to the The Cars tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]