The Cars - Sound Academy, Toronto, Ont. - May 20,2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 12:27AM 
By Joseph Suto
Toronto, Ont.- The Cars hit the stage at precisely 8:25pm, to the rhythmic sounds of "Let The Good Times Roll." From there, the Cars mixed in selections from their new album, "Move Like This," and old favorites - in a business like fashion. This show was the only Canadian stop on the tour, as the reformed Cars are currently in the midst of a short, 11 city run. Despite Singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek's past intentions of never touring again, the tour marked their first, in some twenty four years. The tour also marked their first without bassist/vocalist, Ben Orr, who passed away in 2000. Orr’s bass parts were covered by Greg Hawkes via keyboards, although for a few tracks Hawkes sported a bass. Drummer, David Robinson, and guitarist, Elliot Easton, rounded out the new, reformed line-up. The band said very little between songs, as they preferred to let the music do the talking. It was good to see the band perform some lessor known songs such as, "Up and Down" and "I’m In Touch With Your World." The pulsating sounds of "Keep On Knocking" led into "You Might Think," the most prominent song of the evening. The new songs fit right into place with the older material, as if the Cars never missed a beat.
A rousing version of "Let’s Go" closed out the set. Three songs originally sung by Orr, were enacted by Ocasek. For the encore, the band led off with the synth-heavy classic, "Moving In Stereo." Cars fans have waited all these years for the band to reform, even when it appeared they never would. This show was about giving the fans the chance to see the band they love. It was also about, as Hawkes stated earlier on in the show, “A tip of the hat to Ben Orr.”
Set List:
Good Times Roll
Blue Tip
Since You’re Gone
Up and Down
My Best Friend’s Girl
Hits Me
Touch and Go
I’m in Touch With Your World
Keep On Knocking
You Might Think
Drag On Forever
Free
I’m Not The One
Sad Song
Heartbeat City
Let’s Go
Encores:
Moving In Stereo
Just What I Needed
You’re All I’ve Got Tonight
Thomas