← Back

Panorama

by The Cars

Released: August 15, 1980

New wave, art rock, pop rock, synth-rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.

The Album

"Panorama" is the third studio album by American new wave band The Cars, released on August 15, 1980, by Elektra Records. Panorama marked a shift from The Cars' earlier upbeat pop rock and hard rock sound, embracing a more aggressive and experimental approach.

Inside the Recording

Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, the album continues the collaboration from their previous releases and is also distributed by Elektra Records.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

Touch and Go

The lead single, Touch and Go, reached number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

The Cars - Panorama

Open in Albums Gallery

Then

Reception

Billboard noted that while the album retained the minimalist style from their debut, it differentiated itself enough to avoid the band sounding like a parody of their previous work. The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The lead single, Touch and Go, reached number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Panorama" is the third studio album by American new wave band The Cars, released on August 15, 1980, by Elektra Records. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, the album continues the collaboration from their previous releases and is also distributed by Elektra Records.

Panorama marked a shift from The Cars' earlier upbeat pop rock and hard rock sound, embracing a more aggressive and experimental approach. Billboard noted that while the album retained the minimalist style from their debut, it differentiated itself enough to avoid the band sounding like a parody of their previous work.

The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The lead single, Touch and Go, reached number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.