Beatitude by Ric Ocasek (Cassette, Dec-1997, Geffen Goldline)

I once owned a copy of this album on cassette back in May 1988, when I was at the tender, delicate age of 13-going-on-14. I really got kicks out of Ocasek's use of electronic instrumentation, like synthesizers, in his music. Remembering how fond I had been of the music on 'Beatitude' way back when I was in junior high school, I knew I wanted to own a copy, even as a 31-year-old, working adult. And I regretted having misplaced the copy of the cassette I had owned back when I was in junior high school. So I checked out eBay, and, luckily, found the album available on cassette for a good price. Check out the opening instrumentation, plus the background instrumentation throughout, on the song 'A Quick One' if you want to get a good idea of what I really 'go for' as far as Ocasek's synthesized, futuristic style of solo music is concerned. This is Ocasek's first solo album that I've owned (I've also owned several albums by the Cars that include Ocasek). I enjoyed 'Beatitude' so much that I went on to buy some of his other albums in later years - I also own 'This Side Of Paradise' (1986), 'Fireball Zone,' (1991), 'Troublizing' (1997) and just a couple of weeks ago, a copy of 'Nexterday' came for me in the mail from Amazon.com. All I can say is, whether going solo or as the lead vocalist for the Cars, OCASEK RULES!!!