I have mentioned before my music snob roommate in Chicago. Truth be told though, I benefited more from his snoot than it was a detriment to me. The Cars is among the best examples. We were at a used media shop one day and he said to me, “There’s a copy of The Cars’ Heartbeat City over there for two dollars. If you don’t buy it, you hate your life.” And so, partially to keep him off my back, I gave it a shot. And it opened the door to the Cars’ entire discography, which I am, for the most part (I’m looking at you, Panorama), a huge fan. And this was the record that piqued my curiosity.

While most of their records are a balancing act between their pop sensibilities and more avant-garde tendencies, Heartbeat City is more pop driven, with their penchant for art rock informing the atmospheres the songs exist in. It’s not as delicate a balance as their debut, but its effect is largely the same. And for someone who used to disparage pop music, it’s proof that in the right hands, pop music can be a force to be reckoned with.

So Kriss, on the off chance that you’re stalking my blog, thank you. And say hi sometime.