Candy-O
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Album Summary
Candy-O was laid down in 1978 at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, and when Elektra Records dropped it in June of 1979, the world knew The Cars were no one-hit wonder. Produced by the legendary Roy Thomas Baker — the man who knew his way around a studio like nobody's business — working hand in hand with the band themselves, this record came riding on the momentum of their smash debut from just a year before. Baker brought that polished, gleaming sheen to the sound, but make no mistake — Ric Ocasek and the boys kept their edge sharp, their synths cold and crystalline, and their guitars angular and alive. The result was something that felt sleek as a sports car on a midnight highway and just as thrilling to ride.
Reception
- Candy-O climbed all the way to number 3 on the Billboard 200, making it The Cars' highest-charting album at that point and confirming they were one of the biggest acts in America.
- The single 'Let's Go' punched through to number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, proving the band had serious staying power on radio and in the hearts of record buyers.
- Critics received the album warmly, recognizing the band's growth in songwriting craft and praising the way Baker's production elevated their signature sound without sanding down its personality.
Significance
- Candy-O stood tall as a defining statement of the late 1970s new wave and synth-rock movement, marrying power pop hooks with electronic textures and an art rock cool that very few bands could pull off with such effortless grace.
- The album cemented The Cars as the leaders of the American new wave vanguard, carving out a distinctly homegrown identity that set them apart from their British counterparts across the Atlantic.
- With its forward-thinking use of synthesizers and rhythmic programming woven right into the fabric of rock songwriting, Candy-O pointed the compass firmly toward the electronic-driven sound that would define an entire decade of popular music to come.
Tracklist
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A1 Let's Go 129
3:32
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A2 Since I Held You 122
3:16
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A3 It's All I Can Do 118
3:46
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A4 Double Life 117
4:11
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A5 Shoo Be Doo 93
1:41
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A6 Candy-O 123
2:37
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B1 Night Spots 129
3:14
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B2 You Can't Hold On Too Long 117
2:47
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B3 Lust For Kicks 121
3:52
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B4 Got A Lot On My Head 150
2:59
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B5 Dangerous Type 123
4:30
Artist Details
The Cars rolled out of Boston, Massachusetts in 1976, and baby, when they hit the scene they brought something fresh — a slick, icy blend of new wave cool and classic rock muscle that made them absolutely undeniable on radio and MTV alike. Ric Ocasek led that tight five-piece crew through a string of stone-cold classics, from "Just What I Needed" to "Drive," bridging the gap between the raw energy of punk and the polished shimmer of the synth-pop era that was coming in hot. The Cars stand as one of the great architects of the new wave movement, earning their rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 and leaving behind a catalog that still sounds like the future, even now.
