Ric Ocasek: Troublizing

Since the dissolution of The Cars in the mid-'80s, the prominence of frontman Ric Ocasek as a solo artist has declined in direct proportion to his rise in importance as a producer for such bands as Weezer and Nada Surf. Lending a crisp, clean sound to rising alt-rock stars, Ocasek has distinguished himself while continuing to record his own music on a series of largely unheard solo albums. His new album Troublizing, however, stands a good chance of bucking that trend. With his trademark production still present, Ocasek has recruited musicians from Hole, Bad Religion and Nada Surf—and, on about half of the album's tracks, The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan—to create a vital album that recalls the driving rock of Ocasek's much-loved former group while sounding fresher than many acts currently being passed off as cutting-edge. Playing his worn, deadpan voice against the sound of solid guitar-pop, tracks such as "Not Shocked" make it clear that Ocasek has not had his hands over his ears during the last decade, and the lead-off track, "The Next Right Moment," would probably be a hit were it being released by the latest flavor of the month rather than a grizzled veteran. The Corgan collaborations, which he also co-produced, work as well, with "Asia Minor" suggesting that Corgan could do well to rein in some of his band's excesses by learning from Ocasek's efficiency. Even with its disposable moments—notably the largely spoken-word "Society Trance"—Troublizing is a solid album, and crucial evidence for the case against instituting a mandatory retirement age for rock stars.