Title: Failed Expectations
Product review: It was with great anticipation that I bought Heartbeat City back in 1984, and, though I was somewhat pleased with the commercial recognition the band received, I vowed then that it was the last album of theirs that I would buy. I never bothered to purchase their follow-up to Heartbeat City.Too commercial. Too Pop. The Cars lost whatever "edge" they had with this album, though Shake It Up was a premonition in this regard as the group moved toward the mainstream. They were neither smart nor funny anymore....and became another MTV-friendly pop act.Some of the songs are catchy, but the overall effect is flat. Ocasek's love of the studio is ever-present, and the album probably would have been improved if he'd actually allowed all the group's members to play during its recording.I label Heartbeat City as a letdown for fans of The Cars from their beginnings, though I'm sure the 12 year olds back in '84 loved it.
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