Glancing in the rearview mirror towards The Cars’ Riviera reunion in honor of Ric Ocasek

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Remembering Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ric Ocasek with a glance in the rearview mirror at The Cars’ “Move Like This” Riviera reunion.

In spite of not being one of the most prolific bands in history, The Cars are certainly among the most influential, especially when it comes to the power pop, synth rock, and new wave. Thankfully, the core four surviving members aren’t just letting their late-1970s to late-1980s output serve as their entire history, instead reuniting for the new album, “Move Like This,” and an intimate club tour before gearing up for Lollapalooza later this summer.

However, the hits were likely the main draw and the band obliged with a sampler of key Ric Ocasek cuts and the occasional Benjamin Orr tune.

For those keeping score, this outing marks the much-anticipated return of front man Ric Ocasek joining guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes (who jumpstarted The New Cars in 2005 with Todd Rundgren on vocals), along with drummer David Robinson. (Bassist Benjamin Orr succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2000.)

Though this could’ve easily been a nostalgia-centered cash grab, the group dedicated about half the set to the new album, which in the case of a lesser band could’ve been tedious, but in this instance, found The Cars’ classic pop sensibilities translating to present tense. Much of that relevance could be credited to Ocasek (who continues to be active as a producer), alongside frequent R.E.M. collaborator Jacknife Lee adding his expertise behind the boards.

Take for instance the new “Blue Tip,” a warm synthesizer nugget that exploded with sputtering percussion and the leader’s unmistakable quirky delivery, plus “Hits Me,” which allowed Easton’s jarring guitars to take center stage. Believe it or not, all the current cuts stood neck and neck with The Cars’ most celebrated material, including the dusty garage rocker “Keep On Knocking” and the melodic cruncher “Drag On Forever.”

However, the hits were likely the main draw and the band obliged with a sampler of key Ocasek cuts and the occasional Orr tune (though the terse, 90-minute night was by no means comprehensive). Despite members’ lack of stage presence, the party unfurled with the surging “Good Times Roll” and the fellow hand clapper “Since You’re Gone,” before digging into the icy synths of “Touch And Go” and the carefree “You Might Think.”

Additional examples of the group’s impressive ability to bridge periods came during the enduring call-and-response romp “Let’s Go,” plus the full-throttled encores “Just What I Needed” and “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight.” Along with everything that came before, they made the 24-year gap between tours all but disappear.

Click here for more photos of Ric Ocasek and The Cars at the Riviera Theatre.

For additional information on Ric Ocasek and The Cars, visit RicOcasek.com and TheCars.org.