Nexterday

NY Post
Among the 11 tracks that he recorded for "Nexterday," he struck gold again with "Bottom Dollar.

Product Description
Ric Ocasek has been changing the face of pop music for nearly 30 years. His incredible musical odyssey began in the late ’60s and includes opening shows for the MC5 and the Stooges, producing some of the most seminal artists of our time (including Weezer, No Doubt and Le Tigre) not to mention a decade-long stint leading The Cars, whose never-ending string of platinum albums and Top 40 hits helped define the post-punk and new wave eras, selling over 25 million albums and creating a blueprint for many of today’s most popular bands. Now Ric is preparing to influence a whole new generation. Nexterday is full of the irresistible hooks and soaring choruses that have made him an icon to so many. Not one to simply stick to formula, Nexterday showcases his unmatched talents as a songwriter, from the darkly twisted "Crackpot," to the heartbreaking melody of "I’m Thinking," to the playful synths (and unshakeable hook) of "Bottom Dollar." Nexterday is the first release on Ric’s new imprint through Sanctuary, Inverse Records.

Nexterday

Nexterday,Ric Ocasek,Sanctuary Records,Album Rock,New Wave,Pop,Pop/Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop,United States of America

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Nexterday

Average customer rating: This car is stuck in neutral a very pleasant surprise from Ric with some of his best songwriting ever Ocasek Returns from Hiatus with a Smash Ocasek drives a winner Acting His Age

Nexterday Ric Ocasek Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: This Side of Paradise Troublizing Door to Door The Lace Change No Change ASIN: B000AOJ9EE Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Crackpot
2. Bottom Dollar
3. Don't Lose Me
4. In A Little Bit
5. Silver
6. Come On
7. I'm Thinking
8. Carousel
9. Heard About You
10. Please Don't Let me Down
11. It Gets Crazy

Album Description

Ric Ocasek has been changing the face of pop music for nearly 30 years. His incredible musical odyssey began in the late '60s and includes opening shows for the MC5 and the Stooges, producing some of the most seminal artists of our time (including Weezer, No Doubt and Le Tigre) not to mention a decade-long stint leading The Cars, whose never-ending string of platinum albums and Top 40 hits helped define the post-punk and new wave eras, selling over 25 million albums and creating a blueprint for many of today's most popular bands. Now Ric is preparing to influence a whole new generation. Nexterday is full of the irresistible hooks and soaring choruses that have made him an icon to so many. Not one to simply stick to formula, Nexterday showcases his unmatched talents as a songwriter, from the darkly twisted "Crackpot," to the heartbreaking melody of "I'm Thinking," to the playful synths (and unshakeable hook) of "Bottom Dollar." Nexterday is the first release on Ric's new imprint through Sanctuary, Inverse Records.

Customer Reviews:

This car is stuck in neutral.......2006-09-28

Ric Ocasek, the former lead singer of the legendary band the Cars, came back after an eight-year hiatus to release a solo album, Nexterday. While other reviewers are praising this album, I really don't think it's anything to write home about.

It's not that I was expecting another "Just What I Needed" or "Drive" (although Ric didn't sing lead on that song), or even an "Emotion In Motion", and it's not that this is really a bad album per se, either. It's just, well, to me the album sounds like one long single. Each of the eleven tracks sound decent in their own right, but when listened to altogether, I can't help but wonder if Ric was just phoning it in. It's still a nice album for Cars collectors, but I just hope his next solo outing features tracks that are more distinguishable.

Anthony Rupert

a very pleasant surprise from Ric with some of his best songwriting ever.......2006-06-03

It was starting to seem like "Nexterday" would never appear, but at last, it finally saw official release in September of 2005 on the Sanctuary label.

Although I never really doubted that Ric would still have it in him to turn out great pop-rock tunes, I was still skeptical about how good "Nexterday" would reveal itself to be. To my pleasant surprise, it turns out to be real good indeed.

One of the problems on some of Ric's previous solo work has been his tendency to get lazy with the songwriting, ending up with songs that aren't necessarily BAD, but that have a distressingly cookie-cutter and rehashed feel to them. There is still some of that on "Nexterday"--for instance, the song "Bottom Dollar" just feels unfinished with its lack of a middle-eight or even a proper chorus, and the two-chord 'chorus' that it does have feels pretty tossed-off. Overall though, the songs sound fresh. Plus, Ric seems to be playing around 75% of the instruments on the album himself, in addition to writing all the songs himself. In short, Ric really sounds inspired.

This is one of those albums you can play right on through without feeling compelled to skip any tracks. Ric pumps out one catchy song after another, and his voice sounds great as if he hasn't aged a day in 25 years. "Crackpot" is a fine opener, with Ric double-tracking his lead vocals for a change, to ear-catching effect. The downbeat, nicely-textured "Silver", with Greg Hawkes on keyboards, is well-done, seemingly a tribute to Ric's former Cars bandmate, the late Benjamin Orr. "I'm Thinking" is an engaging, wistfully upbeat feel-good tune with an irresistible chorus. Ocasek usually hits the jackpot when he cranks up the tempo, and he scores again with the terrific, somewhat Tom Petty-ish "Don't Lose Me" (featuring a couple of hilariously jolting bum notes from Ocasek at 2:14-2:15 of the track--no wonder he was strictly the 'rhythm guitarist' in the Cars). "In A Little Bit" is a great song given a creepy feel thanks to its minor chords, relentless ticking rhythm, and the slightly dissonant 'bell' sound. "Come On" is a superbly crafted uptempo pop-rocker, irresistibly catchy with a great chorus; plus, it has a surprisingly sudden minor chord ending that does suit the slyly mysterious ending to the lyrics--otherwise, it's a very sunny, upbeat-sounding song. "Please Don't Let Me Down" is a touching, tender ballad with a little bit of a '50s feel--must be Ric's Buddy Holly influence kicking in again. The album closer "It Gets Crazy" sounds like Ric took a basketful of his earlier songs ("Steal The Night", "Everything You Say", "A Little Closer", god knows what else) and threw them into a blender, but it's a great tune anyway in its own right, thanks to a low-key-yet-creepy keyboard part, ringing acoustic guitars, keenly-placed electric guitars, great lead guitarwork, a skittering rhythm on the chorus, plus great melody and lyrics.

Even if you're only a casual Cars fan, you should find a lot to enjoy on "Nexterday". Seriously, "Come On" sounds like a great radio hit all the way--I'd like to see those Cars-wannabes the Fountains of Wayne come up with something nearly as good. I'm inclined to say that it's a shame "Nexterday" hasn't gotten more notice, but then again, Ric seems to prefer being somewhat away from the spotlight, as his persistent refusal to reform The Cars further suggests. In any case, for big fan Cars/ Ocasek fans, "Nexterday" is simply a must.

Ocasek Returns from Hiatus with a Smash.......2006-04-06

Nexterday is truly an excellent CD and is a great return to recording for Ocasek. While nearly every song on the CD is strong, several stand out to me as his best including "Bottom Dollar", "In a Little Bit", "Come On", "Carousel" and "It Gets Crazy". Admittedly, these cuts are more pop than some of the others, but I appreciate those songs more than his edgier ones because it's what he does best.

Rebounding from his disappointing "Troublizing" CD, I must admit I'm relieved to hear Ocasek hasn't lost his touch. His second solo effort, "This Side of Paradise" still stands out to me as his best but this CD is his second best. If I had to rank his solos, my order would be:

1. "This Side of Paradise", 5 Stars
2. "Nexterday", 4.5 Stars
3. "Quick Change World", 4 Stars
4. "Beatitude", 4 Stars
5. "Fireball Zone" 3 Stars
6. "Troublizing" 1.5 Stars

Unfortunately, Ocasek doesn't get much airplay for his solo efforts which is a shame considering his past success with the Cars.

Ocasek drives a winner.......2006-03-25

The pity is to portray "Nexterday" as solely a must-have for fans of "The Cars," Ocasek's successful former band. In fact, this CD is a mature, concise and thoughtful collection of delightful songs. The first track is proof as "Crackpot" is vibrant and the perfect lead-in into the CD's obvious perky single "Bottom Dollar." The next cut, "Don't Lose Me," is arguably the strongest effort on the CD; a quirky romp that is also robust. Two tracks that balance the CD are "In a Little Bit" and "Heard about You" while "I'm Thinking" and "Please Don't Let Me Down" are rides in neutral. The amazing "Silver" is a tribute to former Cars' bassist/co-vocalist Benjamin Orr, who has since passed away due to cancer; a sentimental and moving splendor to Ocasek's friend. "Come On" is a spirited winner that resuscitates the Cars' "Panorama" days. "Carousel" is an impressive melancholy parody of a fashion show sounding like the Cars' "Why Can't I Have You." The CD's closer is a game-winning grand slam home run. "It Gets Crazy" is an invigorating cut that recycles the Cars' "Heartbeat City" title track with a little bit of "Everything You Say" mixed in for amusement. Inject imagery time: Someone sick of it all decides to drive a convertible flooring it through the barren Arizona desert in an escape to nowhere. Ocasek's CD is a worthy effort.

Acting His Age.......2006-03-06

Having been a Cars fanatic from day one, I always purchase Ocasek's solo albums. Usually I *hope* that one song or two will be great, and resign myself to the proven reality that the majority of songs will be idiosyncratic and weak. I loved "Beatitude", liked "This Side of Paradise", wanted to like "Troublizing" more than I actually did, tolerated "Fireball Zone", and felt saddened by "Negative Theatre/Quick Change World". They all have at least one excellent song, but... that's not really enough from an artist of Ocasek's stature. This album is a breath of fresh air, because it sounds sincere. No contrived artsy pretensions, no annoying super fast hard rocker/rave-ups (Ocasek trying to rock hard is like an old man trying to look sexy by putting on Speedos), no dark, paranoid dirges. Just really well-crafted music that gets better with each listening, and no throwaways. I hope this album represents a new direction, and I can't wait to hear the next one for a change.

Average customer rating:

Nexterday Ric Ocasek Manufacturer: Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000BV7TF2 Release Date: 2006-01-02

Tracks:

1. Crackpod
2. Bottom Dollar
3. Don't Lose Me
4. In A Little Bit
5. Silver
6. Come On
7. I'm Thinking
8. Carousel
9. Heard About You
10. Please Don't Let Me Down
11. It Gets Crazy
12. Good Night Little One (Bonus Track)
13. Hope For Happiness (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Japanese pressing of the 2005 album features the 11 original tracks plus 2 exclusive bonus tracks 'Good Night Little One' & 'Hope For Happiness'. Ric Ocasek has been changing the face of pop music for nearly 30 years. His incredible musical odyssey began in the late '60s and includes opening shows for the MC5 and the Stooges, producing some of the most seminal artists of our time (including Weezer, No Doubt and Le Tigre) not to mention a decade-long stint leading The Cars, whose never-ending string of platinum albums and Top 40 hits helped define the post-punk and new wave eras, selling over 25 million albums and creating a blueprint for many of today's most popular bands. Now Ric is preparing to influence a whole new generation. Nexterday is full of the irresistible hooks and soaring choruses that have made him an icon to so many. Not one to simply stick to formula, Nexterday showcases his unmatched talents as a songwriter, from the darkly twisted 'Crackpot', to the heartbreaking melody of 'I'm Thinking', to the playful synths (and unshakeable hook) of 'Bottom Dollar'. Sanctuary.

Average customer rating:

Nexterday Ric Ocasek Manufacturer: Sanctuary ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000NJXG4A Release Date: 2007-04-16

Tracks:

1. Crackpot
2. Bottom Dollar
3. Don't Lose Me
4. In a Little Bit
5. Silver
6. Come On
7. I'm Thinking
8. Carousel
9. Heard About You
10. Please Don't Let Me Down
11. It Gets Crazy

Album Description

Out of print in the U.S.! The former leader of The Cars' solo album from 2005 is filled with crunchy, melodic Pop/Rock that recalls both The Cars (duh) and Weezer (one of the many bands Ocasek has produced). 11 tracks including 'Crackpot'. Sanctuary.

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