For fans of
the Cars this release pre-dates Rick & the Rabbits -- the name that
Modern Lover Jonathan Richman gave
Richard Ocasek and Ben Orzechowski prior to their becoming Captain Swing, the band that evolved into
the Cars. Recorded at Aengus Studios in Fayville, MA, where
Andy Pratt created his classic "Avenging Annie," the trio includes Jas Goodkind on lead acoustic and electric guitars, supplemented by various friends. Track three is the only non-
Ocasek original, written by the late
Ben Orr, and "Lincoln Park" is an example of why
Cars fans have called this
Ocasek and
Orr's
Crosby, Stills & Nash phase. Greg Hawks was working with
Martin Mull and his Fabulous Furniture, but he appears on this album playing baritone, soprano sax, and doing the horn arrangements. Jeff Lass plays the keyboards here, although Hawks would join
the Cars and create a sound so admired that
Paul McCartney would fly Greg to England to perform on his "Motor of Love" on the
Flowers in the Dirt album. "Bring Me Back" is a wonderful early
Ocasek essay, and this album shows the '80s pop ensemble in a delicate and charming light. Only "Timetrain Wonderwheel" hints at the direction
Ocasek would eventually take. The vibe is like America's "Sandman," and this is as close to
Panorama as you are going to find here. The experimental sounds and jams make it the strongest track on
How's the Weather. Hawks' horns are nothing short of brilliant, and they play like his innovative keyboards that were so essential to
the Cars' eventual success. The vocal phrasings on this song are significant, and "Timetrain Wonderwheel"'s importance as an artifact of a band prior to its greatness cannot be ignored. "Makeshift Pawn" opens side two and sounds like a low-key
David Gates or
England Dan/
John Ford Coley. Hearing the material is astounding when one thinks of the sci-fi overtones of "Moving in Stereo." These guys had the chops and passion in "The Light Won't Burn" as well as "Winter Song," but there's no denying that there's little hint of the change in direction that would bring
Ocasek,
Orr, and Hawks to superstardom during the '80s. "Along the Way" truly sounds like
Crosby,
Stills,
Ocasek &
Orr. ~ Joe Viglione