Ric Ocasek – Nexterday – 2005
It took about 27 years but Ric Ocasek finally made his dream come true: An album of songs written by him, sung by him, produced by him and, most importantly, featuring instruments played by him. Well, not all. He didn’t play bass. And he didn’t play guitar on ONE song. Or keys on TWO. And he had help with the rudimentary drum programming. But, hey, this is as close as he’s been able to get.
Some of the songs, like “Bottom Dollar” &”Don’t Lose Me” would probably actually sound pretty good if they didn’t just sound like demos recorded in someone’s spare bedroom on a laptop. And there’s something so inviting and relaxed about “A Little Bit” that I like. Or maybe I’ve been beaten down after 2.5 decades of this guy’s music.
“Silver” is Ric’s song for the late Ben Orr. I’ve never found Ocasek to be very emotionally engaging. An ominous bass leads off, a two note throb takes over and then…lyrically, knowing what the song is about…it’s heart wrenching. “You were my right hand. You were my friend. You were always strong until the end.” It’s easy to forget that they started the Cars together and had known each other since the early 70s in Boston. They were in a folk band called “Milkwood” who released one record in 1972. Obviously, Orr meant more to Ric than I ever imagined. Right up to the end. “You were my good time. You were my rave. You’re the one that always set the stage……”
Devastating.
Nexterday demands very little from the listener. It’s easy and comfortable, like an old slipper. Ocasek is a rich, elder statesman rock star with children and a wife and none of the trappings. So, he’s got no one to impress, he just wants to make music. And that’s what he does.
Grade: B-
ASide: Bottom Dollar, Silver
BlindSide: Don’t Lose Me
DownSide: I’m Thinking
