ALBUM OF THE WEEK #52 ... Benjamin Orr - The Lace (1986)

[Scott]

In 1984 The Cars released Heartbeat City and achieved superstar status.  It is rumored that this fame caused friction in the band and so they did what any superstar band would do at the time and that's release a Greatest Hits package and then record solo albums.  Ocasek, Easton and Orr all did exactly that. 

 

For his solo record, Orr co-wrote all music and lyrics, and the album had one Top 40 hit, "Stay The Night". A second single "Too Hot to Stop" was also released, but did not chart in the Hot 100.  The video for "Stay the Night" reached number one on both MTV and VH1, and Orr won an ASCAP award for the song.

 

Sometime in the mid-90's, Orr recorded tracks with guitarist John Kalishes for an unreleased follow-up.  Sadly, "The Lace" would be his only proper solo release as he passed away in September of 2000 from pancreatic cancer.  I hope they get around to finishing those songs and releasing them somehow...

 

He was given a special thanks on the Cars "Move Like This" album. The booklet reads: "Ben, your spirit was with us on this one."  Greg Hawkes, who played bass on the new Cars album, even used one of Orr's old basses.  He is definitely missed

 

The Lace....

All Songs Written By Benjamin Orr & Diane Grey Page.

 1."Too Hot To Stop" 4:18
 2."In Circles" 4:32
 3."Stay the Night" 4:26
 4."Skyline" 4:10
 5."When You're Gone" 4:51
 6."Spinning" 4:27
 7."Hold On" 4:30
 8."The Lace" 4:20
 9."That's The Way" 4:07
 10."This Time Around" 5:10

 

The album is easily available at most resellers.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Not a bad album.  It's definitely 80's sounding.  The first song actually reminds me of Andy Taylor.  Not the vocals or anything, just the sound of the song.  I think Stay the Night is a great track, and I also liked When You're Gone and The Lace.  Nice post from the guest host.

[Scott]

Thanks RJ...  You know this post is leading to something else, but ... if you were to listen to Hearbeat City and Door To Door from the Cars you really get a sense of how nicely this fits right in between them and the direction  Orr's style and progress are going as an artist.  For me this is one of the 80s best!

[Jon]

I had this on vinyl way back then, listened to it maybe once and then, through time, the album was lost. I shall listen to it again and give my opinion, of course the only one that matters.

[Niels (Mod)]

Hmmmmmm....it's KIND OF okay, but there's not really anything I truly like about this album. I don't hate it, I just don't get in to this kind of music these days, if ever?! I wanna ROCK!!!! I never was a fan of The Cars, but some of this album reminds me of the Desmond Child-album, I posted a video from, a few months back, and you all HATED it!!!!

[Jon]

I lied. I never had this album. Something about the title made me not want to buy it. But, it's not too bad.

 

The album I had was from Elliot Easton. Glad to clear that up for all of you.  

[RJhog (Admin)]

Maybe somebody could take Easton's, Orr's and Ocasek's albums and do one of them there mash-ups and see if it sounds just like the Cars...

[Jon]

I just checked on Easton's album and it's going for over 20 bucks. Maybe someone has it? If not...well, I'm not buying it at that price (with this post and the one just posted on VOTW, I'm coming across as cheap!)

[Scott]

I only have this one... no mash up from me...  but thats a cool idea

[Jon]

I have one Ocasek album.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I've kinda been on a mini-Cars kick lately.  I'm now familiar with their first two albums, so I decided to spin this again today.  Let me tell you, Stay The Night (which is almost as good as Drive) and When You're Gone are two fantastic songs.  I also think Skyline is pretty dang good.  

This is going on my wishlist.  Right now it's a bit high, between 13 and 14 dollars, so I'll be patient.  But I'm gonna check at the record store next time I go.  When I get it, both of the songs I mentioned are going on my driving playlist.