speed of dark

Is it Tuesday already?

I spent hours yesterday making a Wolf Parade photo page and updating the photos on the main index page for our domain name. A significant number of readers find us this way. On the main index page, each photo links to the concert post.

So, I really have nothing special created for Time Travel Tuesday today, and I'm going to take the lazy route and post some cover songs.

The Cars' debut album The Cars exploded on the music scene in 1978, a perfect pop-candy concoction. Even the cover photo of the girl--her hand flung up to partly shield her face from whatever she's about to hit--designed to frame her big, red mouth right in the center, suggests beauty, wild times, and carefree fun all at once. Who could wish for more?

Billboard calls the Cars "the most successful American new wave band to emerge in the late '70s." They were among the first to merge guitar-oriented rock with the new synth-oriented pop that was then becoming popular, and they packaged it in a bright, shiny sound that was irresistible. Their particular mixture of new wave, post-punk, and slick commerical rock was the ticket to the top. "Just What I Needed" made #3 on the Billboard top 40, and two others--"My Best Friend's Girl" and "Good Times Roll" were in the ranking as well.

These artists cover some of the songs from that album.

Love Seed Mama Jump: My Best Friend's Girl

Sister Hazel: Just What I Needed

Smashing Pumpkins: You're All I've Got Tonight

Mark Kozelek: All Mixed Up

Cars' Official Website | MySpace | Deluxe edition