Panorama Songs Ranked
Panorama is the third studio album by American new wave band The Cars, released in 1980. Like its predecessors, it was produced by Roy Thomas Baker and released on Elektra Records. The record marked a change from the upbeat pop rock and hard rock of the group’s previous albums, representing a more aggressive and experimental sound. Billboard Magazine said that while Panorama retained The Cars’ minimalist approach from their debut album, it sounded sufficiently different to avoid having the group sound like a caricature of itself. It was not as commercially successful as The Cars’ previous or subsequent albums (until 1987’s Door to Door). Though it lacked any enduring hit singles, it did hit No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. Here are all of Panorama’s songs ranked.
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10. Up and Down
“Among the album’s Ocasek-sung tracks, my only personal favorite is the closing “Up and Down”, although even that track doesn’t cash in with as big of a climax as I would like.”
9. Getting Through
“Deep-track album by The Cars while band was still in their peak new wave sounding early years before going more commercially, pop hit-driven. Sound quality is excellent, and the extra tracks while not essential are wonderful to hear on the bonus LP”
8. Running to You
“Running To You” employs Numan-esque synths under grinding guitars while album closer “Up And Down” is another dark, descending number with a clattering beat.”
See more: The Cars Albums Ranked
7. Don’t Tell Me No
“Don’t Tell Me No”, is far catchier and exemplifies my general preference for the album’s Orr-sung tracks. Prominent syn-drums, robotic groove and pulsating keyboards.”
6. You Wear Those Eyes
“Songs like “You Wear Those Eyes,” show that The Cars weren’t ready for ballads yet, especially with that electro-percussive beat. Elsewhere, you can hear the focus moving away from Elliot Easton’s lead guitar, and toward the growing synth-pop movement.”
See more: The Cars Songs Ranked
5. Gimme Some Slack
“My least-favorite song on Panorama, but still solid and i want this 45. My favorite Cars era. Disappointing non-album b-side in that while it’s a good song, it’s the exact same non-album b-side that was on the previous single, so meh.”
4. Down Boys
“The b-side “Down Boys” was an excellent song as well, one of my favorites from the band. All told, i love the entire Panorama album, and would be a fan of the band anyway, even if they didn’t have lots of other great material as well.”
3. Touch and Go
“‘Im just unusual enough to be able to say, in all seriousness, that “Touch and Go” was the first single i ever knew from The Cars. And i liked it (which probably made me a little unusual back in those days as well). Reeled me right in (along with “Panorama”, which i may have even heard for the first time that very night – my introduction to the band was seeing both of those videos on Don Kirschner’s Rock Concert, if i remember correctly, or perhaps Night Flight).”
2. Misfit Kid
“Misfit Kid” uses the ticking backbeat of their early hits, coupled with a schoolground-simple keyboard motif and sees Ocasek aptly describing himself in the title phrase.”
1. Panorama
“The change in the group sound is immediately detectable in the first song, the title track “Panorama”, a dark, cascading, shapeshifting synthy number which shows the group up for the fight to come with U.K. trend-setting acts such as Human League, Heaven 17, Ultravox and others.”