Product Description
Celebrate the 2011 reunion of The Cars with the exclusive Friday Music compact disc re-release of their 1987 classic Door To Door album. Featuring the legendary five piece line-up of Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Greg Hawkes, Elliot Easton and David Robinson, the great Door To Door album was the last official release of the original superstar quintet. Produced by Ric Ocasek, this smash recording featured the chart topping rock track "Strap Me In," the hit single "You Are The Girl," & other smashes like "Coming Up You" & "Fine Line." Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso from the original Elektra tapes!

1. Leave Or Stay
2. You Are The Girl
3. Double Trouble
4. Fine Line
5. Everything You Say
6. Ta Ta Wayo Wayo
7. Strap Me In
8. Coming Up You
9. Wound Up On You
10. Go Away
11. Door To Door

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004S7G6C2/?tag=imwan-20

Very cool indeed! Nice release date too Friday-very sly (gee, what other Cars album is out that day?). Anyway, I think these guys are brilliant and their music is timeless-a question though:
What is the status of this criminally ignored back catalogue?
is it this:

The Cars-I believe was a 2CD set from Rhino (can't believe I still don't have that yet)
Candy-O-an HDCD I believe from Rhino-no bonus cuts?
Panaroma-same as above?
Shake It Up-only an overpriced Fidelity release
Heartbeat City-same, but with loads of issues
Cars Greatest Hits-replaced by the much better and great sounding Complete Greatest Hits
Door To Door-new Friday remaster
Just What I Neede The Cars Anthology-re-released in better packaging I think? No ugly,old 2 CD big case.

I've held off getting anything because I was hoping something proper would happen from Rhino or someone but it never did. I'll probably get the 1st 3 albums, but if Fidelity releases are it for the next 2 I will not bother. if anyone can clear this catalogue situation up I'd appreciate it!

Pete,

All of the studio albums other than "Door To Door" plus the old Greatest Hits album are still available in the old Elektra pressings, and the Rhino Complete Greatest Hits is still available. The Rhino 2-disc reissue of the first album and the 2-disc Just What I Needed are both out of print. Not sure if the Audio Fidelity gold disc of Heartbeat City is still in print. Don't think AF did Shake It Up, but MFSL did.

Wasn't there a DCC gold pressing of the debut album?

Thanks Jay:
I'm only asking about the most up to date versions of each album. I don't want the original CDs for any of them. I have Complete Greatest Hits and Just What I Needed but I kept holding out hope the studio albums would get the proper treatment and never did beyond the 1st album.

Yes and that goes for a small fortune, but I wouldn't want that anyway, same with the Fildeity or MFSL releases. I think, even with it's flaws, Heartbeat City is now being asked at $60 and above-doesn't mean anyone would pay that though. I have zero interest in that version as well.

If I recall correctly, the first 3 albums were remastered as HDCDs. No bonus cuts or packaging changes beyond adding the HDCD logo to the packaging.

"Strap Me In" is really the only thing that saves this album. By far the weakest Cars release. I'm happy with my current CD version.

I agree it's their weakest album (the only one). But, I like a good amount including "Door To Door", "Double Trouble", "You Are The Girl", "Strap Me In", "Coming Up You", "Fine Line", "Go Away", "Leave Or Stay" and "Everything You Say". Has been a longggg time since I heard it though.

Stupid question (but I don't feel like starting a new thread):

Do the Cars have any b-sides or other non-album rarities? I know about "Tonight She Comes" from the "Greatest Hits" album, and I seem to recall hearing some remixes on the radio back in the 80's, but other than that...

The 2-CD anthology Just What I Needed including several tracks that didn't appear on any of the Cars albums. I do believe they had some more non-LP B sides, but I can't say for sure.

unfortunately, the 2CD anthology did not completely replace the "greatest hits" package in that the latter contains a unique remix of "i'm not the one." too bad this alternate version was't included on any of the remasters - it's the only reason i hang-on to that disc.

Interestingly, the 2CD set actually includes previously unreleased demos of "Leave or Stay" and "Ta Ta Wayo Wayo" that were recorded way back in 1977. The finished versions, of course, didn't emerge until Door to Door a decade later.

What a great song!

I love this album. If I remember correctly, it was released in August 1987, right before I started my senior year at college. I believe it shared a release date with The Beatles (White Album) CD, and I bought both at Sam Goody the day they were released. I've always loved Door To Door, and I don't agree that it's their weakest album (it's no less flawed than Shake It Up). I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for the uninitiated, but there are plenty of excellent songs and the production isn't as slick-sounding as Heartbeat City (not a knock on that great album).

Does anyone else remember seeing them on the Halloween episode of Saturday Night Live that year? I thought both performances ("Double Trouble" and Strap Me In" if I recall) were fantastic. They didn't sound like a band about to break up.

Rich K

I remember watching that in someone's dorm room at college. I only remember it because there was a couple there and while the guy was obviously enjoying the performance (pretty sure it was Double Trouble), his girlfriend was glaring at him and he very sheepishly commented, "well, they didn't used to be rock...." which I found to be hilarious.

They also played the MTV Video Music Awards the fall and I think played You Are The Girl and Double Trouble. Not quite sure. This is anything but a bad album. It's just that they had such a great catalogue this seemed the weakest (and it is by default).

I think song for song it's as strong as their other "weak" album, Shake It Up. That one had a couple of hits which may make it seem like a stronger album than it is, but its second side was pretty average if I remember correctly. Following up Panorama, for me, was always going to be difficult. I love that album so much. Saw them on that tour, possibly the most boring concert I've ever attended...but still glad I was there. Maybe Door To Door seems weaker than it is because it followed up the incredible Heartbeat City(?).

I don't think there's a weak album in the bunch. Oddly enough, "Strap Me In" is one of my my least favorite songs on DTD. But I'll admit I prefer the band's poppier side.

For anyone that's picked this up, what's the verdict on the remastering and booklet?