In a recent interview with Consequence of Sound, drummer David Robinson admitted that he hasn’t “played drums since 1987″ and that, at the time, he was “practicing to relearn how to play,” concluding that it’s been “a lot of work.” If one’s to judge last night’s performance at Chicago’s grungy Riviera Theatre, suffice it to say, the work’s paid off. Out supporting their first record in 24 years – this month’s Move Like This – The Cars – read: The real Cars – have returned to the road, where they once were pop-rock kings.

To a sweaty, packed house, one that featured celebrity appearances by even Billy Corgan, Ric Ocasek returned to the fold with Cars classic, “Good Times Roll”, which more or less carved out the sentiments of the night. Donning a silver sports jacket, an equally prestigious collared shirt, and his trademark shades, Ocasek wasn’t just ready for the night, he was prepared for the shiny decadence that his music has oozed on rock radio for decades and decades. Although new material didn’t necessarily win over the crowd per se, as seen immediately after “Good Times…” with the dance-y “Blue Tip” (the crowd just hadn’t heard it yet), it didn’t suppress any of the energy. Actually, new single “Sad Song” received some love, drawing up a few fists throughout the chorus. That’s one new track they should probably include at their forthcoming Lollapalooza performance in August. The rest? Maybe skim some off.

Especially if you’re excluding some hits. This is a band that once ruled the radio waves. That’s why it was somewhat surprising to see so many left behind. Where was “Magic”? “It’s All I Can Do”? Or, better yet, where was “Drive”, the band’s highest charting single? Okay, so the late Benjamin Orr sung vocals on that afternoon ballad, but that didn’t stop them from performing “Just What I Needed”, which heroically closed the initial set to quite the fanfare. Complaints aside, Ocasek & Co. are just as tight and precise as they were two decades ago, and with an album that has plenty of potential to grow, it’s easy to believe this band’s really back. If it’s any consideration, they sent one fan over the edge, who, following the gig, stormed out of the theatre, screaming, “That was rockin’!” Totally.

Photography by Brad Bretz.

Setlist:
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
Encore:
Movin’ in Stereo
Just What I Needed
You’re All I’ve Got Tonight
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Gallery by Brad Bretz