Panorama (The Cars album)
Panorama is the third studio album by American new wave band the Cars, released in 1980.
Panorama | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 15, 1980 | |||
Recorded | April – May 1980 | |||
Studio | The Power Station (New York, NY); Cherokee Studios (Los Angeles, CA). | |||
Genre | New wave, art rock, pop rock | |||
Length | 40:09 | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Producer | Roy Thomas Baker | |||
The Cars chronology | ||||
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Singles from Panorama | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pitchfork | 8.0/10[2] |
Robert Christgau | B−[3] |
Rolling Stone | (not rated)[4] |
Background
The record marked a change from the upbeat pop rock and hard rock of the group's previous albums, representing a more aggressive and experimental sound.[5] Billboard Magazine said that while Panorama retained the Cars' minimalist approach from their debut album, it sounded sufficiently different to avoid having the group sound like a caricature of itself.[6] It was not as commercially successful as the Cars' previous or subsequent albums (until 1987's Door to Door). However, it did hit No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.[7]
As a single off the album, the song "Touch and Go" peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Ric Ocasek.
No. | Title | Vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Panorama" | Ocasek | 5:42 |
2. | "Touch and Go" | Ocasek | 4:55 |
3. | "Gimme Some Slack" | Ocasek | 3:32 |
4. | "Don't Tell Me No" | Benjamin Orr | 4:00 |
5. | "Getting Through" | Ocasek | 2:35 |
No. | Title | Vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|
6. | "Misfit Kid" | Ocasek | 4:30 |
7. | "Down Boys" | Orr | 3:08 |
8. | "You Wear Those Eyes" | Orr/Ocasek | 4:55 |
9. | "Running to You" | Orr | 3:22 |
10. | "Up and Down" | Ocasek | 3:30 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
11. | "Shooting For You" (previously unreleased) | Orr | 4:04 | |
12. | "Be My Baby" (early version of "Maybe Baby") | Ocasek | 5:00 | |
13. | "The Edge" (previously unreleased) | Orr | 3:26 | |
14. | "Don't Go to Pieces" (B-side of "Don't Tell Me No" and "Gimme Some Slack") | Ocasek, Greg Hawkes | Orr | 4:04 |
Personnel
The Cars
- Ric Ocasek – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
- Elliot Easton – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Greg Hawkes – keyboards, saxophone, backing vocals
- Benjamin Orr – bass guitar, lead vocals
- David Robinson – drums, percussion
Production
- Roy Thomas Baker – producer
- Thom Moore – production assistant
- Ian Taylor – engineer
- John Weaver – assistant engineer
- Jason Corsaro – assistant engineer
- Paul McAlpine – photography
- David Robinson – cover design
- Elliot Roberts – management
- Steve Berkowitz – management
Charts
Album
Chart (1980) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200[8] | 5 |
Single
Year | Title | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1980 | "Touch and Go" | Billboard Pop Singles[9] | 37 |
Notes
- AllMusic Review
- "The Cars: Panorama". Pitchfork Media.
- "Robert Christgau: CG: the cars". Robert Christgau.
- "link". rollingstone.com.
- https://ultimateclassicrock.com/the-cars-panorama/
- "Top Album Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. August 30, 1980. p. 84. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- https://www.allmusic.com/album/r3401
- "The Cars Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- "The Cars Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- "American certifications – Cars – Panorama". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 19, 2019.