10 Perfect Albums That Started Rock Genres
9. The Cars - The Cars
Towards the end of the '70s, some of the greatest rock bands were starting to strip things back down to basics. Where bands like Led Zeppelin started to seem more and more extravagant on every release, the punk and new wave scene was about how artistic you could be with the more rudimentary elements of rock and roll, relying on attitude in your performance rather than musical expertise. Punk rock was all about destruction and the cynical side of life though, and here came the Cars being absolutely unashamed of their pop roots.
Recorded with the help of Queen's producer Roy Thomas Baker, there's a certain sheen that comes from the Cars' debut record, with everything polished to perfection and having some of the greatest choruses of the time, from the weird nervy energy behind Good Times Roll or the almost Beatles sounding love song My Best Friend's Girl. This was pop on rock and roll's terms, and The Cars had started to develop the more optimistic side of rock and roll, making songs that were as simple as going out with your girlfriend and not having a care in the world.
The reputation of this album would only grow as the years went on as well, with Ric Ocasek becoming an in demand producer and even helping bands like Weezer create some of their greatest work. While not exactly pop punk, this was the foundation for what power pop was supposed to be, leading the charge along with bands like Cheap Trick and the Jam to create a sound that was unafraid to be equal parts Ramones and the Beatles at the exact same time.